Background: Absalom, the third son of King David, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his striking appearance and tumultuous life. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel. Absalom's life is marked by familial strife, rebellion, and ultimately, a tragic death.

Rebellion Against David: Absalom's relationship with his father, King David, becomes strained following the incident involving his sister Tamar and half-brother Amnon. After avenging Tamar by killing Amnon, Absalom flees and remains in exile for several years. Upon his return to Jerusalem, Absalom begins to undermine David's authority, eventually leading a rebellion against him. Absalom's revolt is characterized by his charismatic leadership and ability to win the hearts of the people of Israel.

The Battle in the Forest of Ephraim: The conflict between Absalom and David culminates in a battle in the forest of Ephraim. David's forces, led by Joab, engage Absalom's army. Despite Absalom's numerical advantage, David's men achieve a decisive victory. The forest itself claims many lives, as noted in 2 Samuel 18:8 : "The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword."

Absalom's Death: Absalom's demise is both dramatic and symbolic. As he rides his mule under the thick branches of a large oak tree, his hair becomes entangled in the branches, leaving him suspended in mid-air. The mule continues on, leaving Absalom hanging. This moment is described in 2 Samuel 18:9 : "Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, and he was left hanging in midair."

Joab, David's military commander, learns of Absalom's predicament and, despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with his son, takes matters into his own hands. Joab thrusts three javelins into Absalom's heart while he is still alive in the oak tree, as recorded in 2 Samuel 18:14 : "Joab said, 'I will not wait like this for you.' So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree."

Aftermath: Following Absalom's death, Joab's men remove his body and throw it into a large pit in the forest, covering it with a heap of stones. This act signifies the end of Absalom's rebellion and the restoration of David's rule. The news of Absalom's death is brought to David, who is overcome with grief. His lament is one of the most poignant expressions of a father's sorrow in the Bible, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:33 : "The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. As he went, he cried out, 'O my son Absalom! O my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!'"

Significance: Absalom's death marks a turning point in David's reign, highlighting themes of familial discord, the consequences of sin, and the complexities of leadership and justice. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the tragic outcomes of rebellion against divine authority.