Absalom, David's third son, by Maacah, was born in
Hebron,[SUP]
[3][/SUP] and moved at an early age along with the transfer of the capital to
Jerusalem, where he spent most of his life. He was a great favorite of his father and of the people. His charming manners, personal beauty, and insinuating ways, together with his love of pomp and royal pretensions, captivated the hearts of the people from the beginning. He lived in great style, drove in a magnificent chariot and had fifty men run before him.
Little is known of Absalom's family life, but it is said[SUP]
[4][/SUP] that he had three sons and one daughter, whose name was also Tamar. From the language of
2 Samuel 18:18, it is inferred that his sons died at an early age.[SUP]
[5][/SUP][SUP]
[6][/SUP]
2 Chronicles 11:20, says Absalom has another daughter, named
Maacah, who later becomes the favorite wife of
Rehoboam.[SUP]
[7][/SUP]