In the Bible, Absalom is recorded as having slept with his father's wives. This act was a calculated and public defiance during his rebellion against King David, his father.
Absalom's actions are detailed in the book of 2 Samuel. At the advice of Ahithophel, a trusted counselor who had switched allegiance from David to Absalom, Absalom publicly lay with ten of his father's concubines. This egregious act occurred on the roof of the palace, visible to all, serving as a powerful political statement to solidify Absalom's claim to the throne and to make his break with King David irreversible in the eyes of the people of Israel.
Context and Significance of Absalom's Act
The public nature of this act was crucial. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, taking possession of a king's harem was a symbolic act of usurping his authority and claiming the throne. By doing so, Absalom was not only committing a grave moral and religious offense but also asserting his kingship and demonstrating that no reconciliation with David was possible. This also fulfilled a prophecy made by the prophet Nathan to David concerning the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:11-12).
- Political Motivation: The act aimed to show the entire nation that Absalom had completely severed ties with his father and was fully committed to his rebellion. It bound his followers to him, as they now knew there was no possibility of David forgiving Absalom and thus no turning back for them.
- Symbolic Claim: By publicly shaming his father and taking his concubines, Absalom effectively claimed David's royal household as his own, a powerful declaration of his usurpation of the kingship.
- Biblical Prophecy: This specific act was foreshadowed by the prophet Nathan, who declared that David's own household would be afflicted publicly due to his sin.
Key Figures Involved
The primary individuals central to this biblical event are:
| Figure | Role | Action | Biblical Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absalom | Son of King David, leader of the rebellion | Publicly slept with ten of his father's concubines | 2 Samuel 16:20-23 |
| King David | Absalom's father, reigning monarch | The concubines involved were his | N/A (Victim of the act) |
| Ahithophel | David's former counselor, Absalom's advisor | Advised Absalom to commit this act of defiance | 2 Samuel 16:20-21 |
This incident is a stark example of the extreme measures taken during periods of political strife and rebellion in biblical history. While other figures in the Bible are mentioned in the context of complex familial relationships, such as Rehoboam marrying Maacah (who is not listed as Absalom's daughter in 2 Samuel 14:27), Absalom's action of sleeping with his father's wives stands out as a direct and deliberate act of usurpation and defiance.
