There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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2 Samuel 14:27
What does 2 Samuel 14:27 mean?
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2 Samuel 14:27
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This passage quietly highlights Absalom's desire for legacy, naming his sons before focusing on his daughter, Tamar. Yet, the text chooses to end by emphasizing her beauty, a detail that ultimately becomes a central element in the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar that unfolds later. It's a subtle foreshadowing, revealing how personal attributes can become tangled in complex family dynamics and lead to profound consequences.
There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, King David is grappling with the aftermath of his son Amnon's terrible sin against Tamar, Absalom's sister. Absalom, rightfully enraged, avenges his sister by having Amnon killed, leading to his own exile. This verse explains a bit about Absalom's own family life during his eventual return to Jerusalem, but it doesn't mention the crucial detail that his three sons died young, a tragedy that profoundly affected him and is revealed shortly after.
The Bible mentions Absalom's sons and daughter, but there's a tragic twist to this family portrait. What does this brief mention tell us about his life and choices?
This verse introduces Absalom's children, noting he had three sons and one daughter named Tamar. We often remember Absalom for his rebellion, his striking appearance, and his ultimate downfall. However, this verse reminds us that he was also a father.
A Father's Shadow
It's crucial to remember that despite his own sins and the chaos he brought, Absalom had a family. This detail grounds the narrative in human reality, showing that even figures deeply entangled in sin have personal lives and relationships. It’s a somber reminder that sin impacts not just the individual, but their entire lineage and those closest to them.
Tamar: A Glimmer of Light?
Absalom's daughter, Tamar, is described as beautiful. Yet, beauty in the Bible often comes with a complex, and sometimes dangerous, story.
The description of Tamar as 'beautiful' is significant. In the biblical narrative, descriptions of physical beauty are rarely neutral. They often serve as a foreshadowing or a narrative device that draws attention to important characters and events, sometimes with both positive and negative implications.
A Tragic Echo
While Tamar herself is not directly involved in the political intrigue or violence of her father's story, her name and beauty echo the tragic events that defined her family. The beauty that characterized Absalom (2 Samuel 14:25) is mirrored in his daughter, but in her case, it doesn't save her from the turmoil that surrounds her family.
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God Sees Beyond Appearance
This detail serves as a poignant reminder that outward beauty, while noted, is not the ultimate measure of a person's worth or destiny, especially in God's eyes. The stories surrounding Absalom's family are marked by sin and sorrow, demonstrating that even those blessed with outward gifts can be caught in devastating circumstances.
Understand the original words
Abshalom · Hebrew Noun
A common Hebrew name meaning 'my father is peace.' In the biblical narrative, he is the son of David known for his physical beauty, political ambition, and eventual rebellion against his father.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel the prophet anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking the transition from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy.
c. 1040 BC
David Anointed King
David, from the tribe of Judah, is secretly anointed king by Samuel while Saul is still reigning, setting the stage for future conflict and succession.
c. 1010 BC
David Becomes Sole King of Israel
After years of conflict and Saul's death, David unites all the tribes of Israel under his rule and establishes Jerusalem as his capital.
c. 1009 BC
Birth of Absalom
Absalom is born to King David and Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. He would later become known for his beauty and rebellious spirit.
c. 1005 BC
Tamar Raped by Amnon
Absalom's half-brother Amnon rapes their half-sister Tamar, an event that deeply enrages Absalom and leads to further family strife.
c. 1003 BC
Amnon Murdered
Absalom orchestrates the murder of Amnon during a sheep-shearing feast, avenging the dishonor done to his sister Tamar.
c. 1002 BC
Absalom Exiled
Fearing David's wrath, Absalom flees to Geshur, his mother's homeland, remaining in exile for three years.
This verse also highlights a woman's beauty, directly linking it to potential danger and divine protection, much like Tamar's beauty hinted at future turmoil for Absalom's family.
2 Samuel 13:1This passage immediately precedes the account of Absalom's half-sister Tamar being assaulted, setting a somber backdrop for the mention of Absalom's own beautiful daughter and the tragic events that would soon unfold in the family.
Esther 2:15The description of Esther's beauty echoes that of Tamar, showing how a woman's exceptional beauty in Scripture often plays a significant role in pivotal events, though in Esther's case, it leads to her elevation and salvation of her people.
Song of Solomon 4:7This passage expresses a profound ideal of beauty and purity within love, contrasting with the often complicated and dangerous reality of female beauty mentioned in historical narratives like Tamar's.
This passage quietly highlights Absalom's desire for legacy, naming his sons before focusing on his daughter, Tamar. Yet, the text chooses to end by emphasizing her beauty, a detail that ultimately becomes a central element in the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar that unfolds later. It's a subtle foreshadowing, revealing how personal attributes can become tangled in complex family dynamics and lead to profound consequences.
Just before this, King David is grappling with the aftermath of his son Amnon's terrible sin against Tamar, Absalom's sister. Absalom, rightfully enraged, avenges his sister by having Amnon killed, leading to his own exile. This verse explains a bit about Absalom's own family life during his eventual return to Jerusalem, but it doesn't mention the crucial detail that his three sons died young, a tragedy that profoundly affected him and is revealed shortly after.
Just before this, King David is grappling with the aftermath of his son Amnon's terrible sin against Tamar, Absalom's sister. Absalom, rightfully enraged, avenges his sister by having Amnon killed, leading to his own exile. This verse explains a bit about Absalom's own family life during his eventual return to Jerusalem, but it doesn't mention the crucial detail that his three sons died young, a tragedy that profoundly affected him and is revealed shortly after.
"There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman." — This passage quietly highlights Absalom's desire for legacy, naming his sons before focusing on his daughter, Tamar. Yet, the text chooses to end by emphasizing her beauty, a detail that ultimately b…
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Last reviewed October 2026