Absalom's Rebellion

Abiathar

High priest who escaped the massacre at Nob and supported King David

The last high priest from the line of Eli, Abiathar was a loyal companion to David during his exile but was eventually deposed by Solomon for supporting Adonijah.

Abigail, Sister of David

Sister of King David and mother of the general Amasa

Abigail was a daughter of Nahash or Jesse, a sister to King David, and the mother of Amasa, the commander of Absalom's rebel army.

Abishai

Military commander and nephew of David who served as chief of the Three and killed three hundred men in one battle

A high-ranking military commander and nephew of King David, known for his fierce loyalty, battlefield prowess, and leadership during the United Monarchy.

Absalom

Prince of Israel who led a major rebellion against his father King David

The third son of King David, Absalom was a charismatic prince who staged a major rebellion against his father and was ultimately killed in battle by Joab.

Ahimaaz, Son of Zadok the Priest

Priestly messenger who outran a Cushite to bring news to King David

A Levite priest and loyalist to King David known for his exceptional speed as a runner and his role as a tactical messenger during the rebellion of Absalom.

Ahithophel

Counselor to King David who betrayed him to join Absalom's rebellion

A renowned counselor to King David who defected to support Absalom’s rebellion, ultimately committing suicide when his advice was rejected.

Amasa, Nephew of David

Military commander of Israel under Absalom and later David who was murdered by Joab

Amasa was a military commander and nephew of King David who served as general under Absalom and later briefly replaced Joab before his assassination.

Ammiel, Father of Machir

father of Machir of Lo-debar who aided King David and Mephibosheth

Ammiel was the father of Machir of Lo-debar, a prominent landholder who provided refuge for Mephibosheth and later supported King David during Absalom’s rebellion.

Ammihud

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Amnon, Firstborn Son of David

Firstborn son of David who violated his half-sister Tamar and was later murdered by Absalom

The firstborn son of King David, Amnon is primarily known for the violation of his half-sister Tamar, an act that triggered a bloody cycle of revenge within the royal family.

Archites

Patriarchal clan of counselors whose territory bordered Ephraim and whose most famous member served as King David's loyal friend

An ancient clan or patriarchal line whose territory marked the southern border of Ephraim and produced Hushai, the loyal counselor to King David.

Barzillai the Gileadite

Wealthy Gileadite who provided for King David during Absalom's rebellion

A wealthy Gileadite landowner who provided critical sustenance to King David during Absalom's rebellion and declined a royal invitation to Jerusalem due to his advanced age.

Benjamin, Son of Jacob

Youngest son of Jacob and the full brother of Joseph whose presence in Egypt led to his family's reconciliation

The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin was the beloved patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel and a central figure in the narrative of Joseph's rise in Egypt.

Cherethites, The Royal Bodyguard

Elite military unit that served as King David's personal bodyguard

An elite military unit serving as the personal bodyguard to King David and King Solomon during the United Monarchy.

Chimham

Man who joined King David's court as a surrogate for Barzillai

A man who accompanied King David to Jerusalem following the defeat of Absalom, acting as a surrogate for the elderly Barzillai the Gileadite.

David

King of Israel who defeated Goliath and established the Davidic dynasty

The second king of the United Monarchy of Israel, a shepherd-warrior and psalmist known as a man after God's own heart.

Gera, Father of Shimei

father of Shimei who cursed King David

Gera was a Benjamite of the house of Saul whose primary identification in the biblical narrative is as the father of Shimei, the man who cursed King David.

Hushai

King David’s loyal counselor who served as a double agent to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel

Hushai the Archite was a loyal counselor and 'friend' to King David who served as a strategic double agent to thwart the rebellion of Absalom.

Ishmael, Son of Abraham

Firstborn son of Abraham and the father of twelve princes who became a great nation

Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham through Hagar, the forefather of the Ishmaelite tribes, and a patriarch whom God promised would father twelve princes.

Israel

Patriarch who wrestled with God and fathered the twelve tribes

The third patriarch of the covenant, formerly known as Jacob, who received his name after wrestling with God and became the father of the twelve tribes.

Ittai the Gittite

Philistine commander who remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion

A Philistine commander from Gath who demonstrated profound loyalty to King David during Absalom’s rebellion, eventually commanding a third of David's army.

Jether, Father of Amasa

Ishmaelite father of Amasa and brother-in-law of King David

Jether was an Ishmaelite who married David's sister Abigail and fathered Amasa, the commander of the armies of Judah.

Joab, Commander of the Army

Commander of David's army who captured Jerusalem and killed Absalom

Joab was the nephew of King David and the supreme commander of Israel's military during the United Monarchy, known for his tactical brilliance and ruthless pragmatism.

Jonadab, Son of Shimeah

Nephew of David who gave Amnon the advice to trap Tamar

A cousin and advisor to Amnon, Jonadab was a shrewd man whose cunning advice facilitated the tragedy of Tamar and who later accurately predicted the murder of Amnon.

Jonathan, Son of Abiathar the Priest

Priestly courier who carried vital intelligence to King David during the rebellions of Absalom and Adonijah

A loyal priest of the tribe of Levi who served as a courier and intelligence agent for King David during the rebellions of Absalom and Adonijah.

Joseph, Son of Jacob

Patriarch who was sold into slavery and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt

The favored son of Jacob who, after being sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to become the Grand Vizier of Egypt and preserved the lineage of Israel during a regional famine.

Judah, Son of Jacob

Patriarch who received the blessing of the scepter and whose lineage produced King David and Jesus Christ

The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, ancestor of the Tribe of Judah and the Davidic line, known for his leadership and pivotal role in the preservation of his family.

Levi, Son of Jacob

Patriarch of the priestly tribe and participant in the massacre at Shechem

The third son of Jacob and Leah, a patriarch whose descendants were set apart as the priestly and ministerial class for the nation of Israel.

Machir, Son of Ammiel

Landowner from Lo-debar who sheltered Mephibosheth and provided for David's army

A wealthy and influential landowner from Lo-debar who protected Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth and sustained King David during Absalom’s rebellion.

Mephibosheth, Son of Jonathan

Son of Jonathan who was granted a place at King David's table despite being from the house of Saul

The grandson of King Saul and son of Jonathan who was crippled in childhood and later restored to royal honor by King David.

Nahash

Woman living at the time of United Monarchy

Nahash

King living at the time of United Monarchy

Pelethites

Elite royal bodyguard unit who remained loyal to King David and secured Solomon's throne

A specialized group of elite warriors who served as King David’s personal bodyguard and remained fiercely loyal during various rebellions.

Saul

King of Israel who was the first to rule the United Monarchy before being rejected by God

Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel from the tribe of Benjamin to lead the United Monarchy against the Philistine threat.

Shimeah, Brother of David

Third son of Jesse and brother of King David who served in Saul's army

The third son of Jesse and an elder brother of King David, Shimeah served in the army of Saul and was the father of the shrewd Jonadab and the warrior Jonathan.

Shimei, Son of Gera

Benjaminite who cursed King David during the rebellion of Absalom

A Benjamite who famously cursed King David during Absalom’s rebellion and was later executed under King Solomon for violating a house arrest agreement.

Shobi

Ammonite living at the time of United Monarchy

Talmai, King of Geshur

King of Geshur and grandfather of Absalom who provided him refuge after the murder of Amnon

Talmai was the King of Geshur during the 10th century BC and the maternal grandfather of David's son Absalom.

Tamar

Absalom's daughter living at the time of United Monarchy

Tamar, Daughter of David

Daughter of King David whose violation by Amnon led to the fracture of the royal family

A princess of the United Monarchy and daughter of King David, whose tragic violation by her half-brother Amnon triggered a violent feud within the royal house.

Zadok, Priest of the United Monarchy

High priest who anointed King Solomon and established a faithful priestly dynasty

A high priest of Israel during the reigns of David and Solomon who remained loyal to the Davidic line and established a permanent priestly dynasty.

Zeruiah

Mother of Joab and sister of King David whose sons were the primary military leaders of Israel

The sister of King David and mother of his three most powerful military leaders, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, during the United Monarchy.

Ziba

Steward of Saul's house who provided for David during Absalom's rebellion

A servant of the house of Saul who served as an informant and steward for King David and Mephibosheth during the United Monarchy.