The Rebellion of Absalom

the long version

"With extraordinary range and literary energy, the story of Absalom's rebellion in 2 Samuel ranks as the most elaborate and extensively narrated internal political event in the Hebrew Bible. The account of the revolt has a plethora of scandalous and sordid events: illicit sex, murder, cover-up, petty crime, incestuous relationships, fratricide, conspiracy theories, treachery, betrayal, sibling rivalry, false witness, theatrical performances, pyromania, secret agents, suicidal hangings, and a massive civil war where the forest consumes more soldiers than the sword. Altogether this period is the most turbulent and chaotic of King David's career, and nearly results in his total collapse. A pivotal character in this drama--and one who is the subject of a good deal of attention in this study--is David's handsome son Absalom. This character is a primary lens through whom Bodner presents the story, and argues that numerous insights concerning Israel's early monarchy emerge when focusing on Absalom's literary representation as a way of interpreting the narrative. In this accessibly written, engaging account of one of 2 Samuel's formative events Bodner offers an entry into the world of the foundation of the kingdom of Israel that had lasting consequences for biblical history even to the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians"--