Absalom

his second, Kil'av, whose mother was Avigayil the widow of Naval from Karmel; the third, Avshalom, whose mother was Ma'akhah the daughter of Talmai king of G'shur;

Now Avshalom the son of David had a beautiful sister named Tamar. Some time after the previous events, Amnon the son of David fell in love with her.

He asked him, "Why, son of the king, are you growing thinner every day? Won't you tell me?"Amnon answered him, "I'm in love with Tamar, my brother Avshalom's sister."

Avshalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now, my sister, keep quiet; because he's your brother. Don't take the matter to heart." But Tamar remained desolate in her brother Avshalom's house.

As for Avshalom, he refused to say a word to Amnon, either good or bad; for Avshalom hated Amnon for having raped his sister Tamar.

Two years later, when Avshalom had sheep-shearers in Ba'al-Hatzor, near Efrayim, Avshalom invited all the king's sons.

Avshalom went to the king and said, "Your servant has sheep-shearers; please let the king and his servants come along with your servant."

The king replied to Avshalom, "No, my son, let's not all go - we don't want to be a burden to you."Avshalom pressed him, but he wouldn't go; however he gave him his blessing.

Then Avshalom said, "If you won't go, then please let my brother Amnon go with us."The king said to him, "Why should he go with you?"

But Avshalom kept pressing him, so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

Avshalom ordered his servants, "Pay close attention: when Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine, and I say to you, 'Kill Amnon,' then strike him down. Don't be afraid - I'm the one ordering you to do it - but take courage, and be bold."

Avshalom's servants did to Amnon as Avshalom had ordered. At this, all the king's sons jumped up, mounted their mules and fled.

While they were on their way, the news came to David that Avshalom had killed all the king's sons, and not one of them was left alive.

But then Yonadav, the son of Shim'ah, David's brother, spoke up; he said, "My lord shouldn't think they have killed all the young men, the king's sons. Only Amnon is dead; for Avshalom has meant to do this ever since the day he raped his sister Tamar.

However, Avshalom took flight. The young man keeping watch looked up and saw many people coming along the road behind him on the hillside.

Avshalom fled and went to Talmai the son of 'Ammihud, king of G'shur. David mourned for his son every day.

So Avshalom fled, went to G'shur and stayed there three years.

But as King David became reconciled to the death of his son Amnon, he was increasingly filled with longing to see Avshalom.

Yo'av the son of Tz'ruyah perceived that the king missed Avshalom;

The king said to Yo'av, "All right, I am granting this request. Go, and bring back young Avshalom."

Then Yo'av got up, went to G'shur and brought Avshalom to Yerushalayim.

However, the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but he is not to appear in my presence."So Avshalom returned to his own house and did not appear before the king.

Now in all Isra'el there was no one more praised for his beauty than Avshalom -there was no defect on him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

To Avshalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; she was a beautiful woman.

Avshalom lived two years in Yerushalayim without appearing before the king.