Absalom takes refuge with his maternal grandfather’s kingdom while David is left in anguished mourning for his estranged son.
“Now Absalom had fled and gone to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.” (v.37) This verse portrays the immediate aftermath of Absalom’s shocking actions earlier in the chapter. Absalom, who was one of King David’s sons, had taken justice into his own hands against his half-brother Amnon. Seeking shelter and safety, he fled to a place called Geshur, where Talmai, identified as “the king of Geshur,” ruled. Geshur was a small Aramean state located northeast of the Sea of Galilee, and was at times under the influence or control of neighboring kingdoms. This region provided Absalom with protection from any direct repercussions of his actions in Jerusalem, leaving King David torn between his paternal love and his responsibilities as ruler.
By stating “And David mourned for his son every day” (v.37), Scripture highlights the deep grief that David experienced. Historically, David reigned as the king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 BC, and during his reign he faced many personal and familial challenges. Here, though Absalom had committed a grievous act, David's fatherly heart is evident. He struggled not only with the loss of Absalom’s presence but also with the grief such family conflicts brought upon the nation. It is noteworthy that David, who is recognized as an ancestor in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17), endured intense trials within his own family, illustrating how divine promises can be carried forward through flawed human circumstances.
Absalom’s decision to escape to Geshur also reflects the interconnected family ties: Absalom’s mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai (2 Samuel 3:3), so by seeking refuge with Talmai, Absalom sought security within his maternal relatives’ domain. For David, every day of his son’s absence became a reminder of the tragedy that had befallen his house, underlining the complexity of human relationships that God can still redeem and utilize for His purposes.
Set to dark mode
2 Samuel 13:37 meaning
“Now Absalom had fled and gone to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.” (v.37) This verse portrays the immediate aftermath of Absalom’s shocking actions earlier in the chapter. Absalom, who was one of King David’s sons, had taken justice into his own hands against his half-brother Amnon. Seeking shelter and safety, he fled to a place called Geshur, where Talmai, identified as “the king of Geshur,” ruled. Geshur was a small Aramean state located northeast of the Sea of Galilee, and was at times under the influence or control of neighboring kingdoms. This region provided Absalom with protection from any direct repercussions of his actions in Jerusalem, leaving King David torn between his paternal love and his responsibilities as ruler.
By stating “And David mourned for his son every day” (v.37), Scripture highlights the deep grief that David experienced. Historically, David reigned as the king of Israel from around 1010 to 970 BC, and during his reign he faced many personal and familial challenges. Here, though Absalom had committed a grievous act, David's fatherly heart is evident. He struggled not only with the loss of Absalom’s presence but also with the grief such family conflicts brought upon the nation. It is noteworthy that David, who is recognized as an ancestor in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17), endured intense trials within his own family, illustrating how divine promises can be carried forward through flawed human circumstances.
Absalom’s decision to escape to Geshur also reflects the interconnected family ties: Absalom’s mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai (2 Samuel 3:3), so by seeking refuge with Talmai, Absalom sought security within his maternal relatives’ domain. For David, every day of his son’s absence became a reminder of the tragedy that had befallen his house, underlining the complexity of human relationships that God can still redeem and utilize for His purposes.