When Nathan convicted David of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, God promised to punish him in three ways.  First, God said that the baby carried by Bathsheba would die.  Second, David would be involved with war for the rest of his reign.  Third, problems would come to him from his own children.

The child who brought much grief to him was Absalom.  It started when Absalom took it on himself to kill his brother Amnon in revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar.  Absalom immediately ran to Geshur to escape David's punishment.

After three years, through the help of Joab, the commander of David's army, Absalom was allowed to come home to Jerusalem.  But Absalom did not behave himself when he got back.  He involved himself in two of the means by which God told David He would punish him.  David's son began to conspire to take the throne by force.

Absalom was evidently one of the most handsome men who ever lived.  "Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks." (II Samuel 14:25)  From head to toe, "there was no blemish in him."

Absalom had political ambitions.  Specifically, he was determined to sit on the throne of his father David.  Absalom made himself visible to the people by riding in a chariot with fifty men running in front of him.  He would also go to the place where people would stand in line to have their case heard by David.  Absalom would subtly speak negatively about David's way of doing things and how much better things would be if he were king.  He would also kiss those who bowed down to him.  Over the years, Absalom won the hearts of many in Israel, using many of the same techniques of modern politicians.

Finally, Absalom decided to make his move.  He went to Hebron and began to gather soldiers to him by sending secret messengers throughout the land. 

As soon as David heard that Absalom was gathering an army, he knew he had to get out of Jerusalem.  Soon after David left, Absalom entered Jerusalem in triumph.  Absalom had two advisors.  One was Ahithophel, who was loyal to Absalom, and the other was Hushai, who only pretended to be loyal to Absalom.  David at this time was in panic.  He was retreating away from Jerusalem as fast as he could go, but he knew it was not fast enough.  An attack by Absalom at that time would have meant sure defeat for David.  Ahithophel recommended this tactic.  Hushai tried to save David by recommending that Absalom get a larger army before he attacked.  Absalom listened to Hushai, and this is the only thing that saved David.

When the battle between the forces of David and Absalom began, things did not go well for Absalom.  He was riding on a donkey, and his long hair got caught in a tree.  The donkey kept going, leaving Absalom dangling in the air.  Joab, who had brought him back from exile, ended his life as he dangled there, evidently feeling Absalom had done enough damage.  When David heard about it, he mourned greatly, giving one of the most famous lamentations in the Bible.  "O my son Absalom--my son, my son Absalom--if only I had died in your place!  O Absalom my son, my son!" (II Samuel 18:33)