ABSALOM SERIES: ABSALOM’S ANCESTRY

God gave this instruction to the future kings of Israel in Deuteronomy 17:17a, ^“Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away.” Unfortunately, David, the second king in Israel, Absalom’s father, did not follow this instruction. According to the scriptures found in 2 Samuel 3:2-5, 5:13-16 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 which reads as thus “Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.” David disobeyed God’s instruction, for according to the above scripture, David married eight women, plus he had concubines. From these women, David had nineteen sons with the possibility of more sons from his concubines who were not named and had one daughter.  

The Bible revealed in Luke 3:31- 38 Absalom’s genealogy back to Adam with noted characters, i.e., Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Phares, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Noah, Methuselah, and Enoch, who walked with God until God took Him.

Regrettably, little is recorded of Absalom’s mother Maacah, the only wife of David born to royalty, for her father was Talmai, King of Geshur. It is believed David’s marriage to Maacah was a political one since they resided in neighboring territories. Besides Absalom, two more children were born to this union; a daughter named Tamar and another son named Hanan. It is believed that Maacah was attractive for the children were noted for their exceptional beauty.

As I continue in this blog series, you will see the scripture, “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation,” unfold in the life of David’s children (Numbers 14:18). There were consequences that resulted from the many marital unions in which David engaged. Though he was a man after God’s own heart, there were times that he did not consult God nor follow His instructions; therefore, his family suffered.

I invite you to continue following this blog series as I share the life of Absalom. I am sure there will be nuggets from which you can glean to enhance your walk with God.