Absalom in Archaeology (Part 1)

King David’s beloved son Absalom was an important figure in the biblical narrative of his father’s life. The Israelites esteemed Absalom because of his physical attributes (2 Sam. 14:25). In winning the people’s affections (15:6), Absalom usurped his father’s throne and drove him from Jerusalem (v. 13). Because skeptics and critics have fictionalized the biblical account of David and his kingdom, archaeological support for his son Absalom helps support Scripture’s veracity.

After Absalom had his half-brother Amnon murdered (13:29, 32), he sought asylum from Talmai, king of Geshur, for three years (vv. 37–38). At the time of the conquest of Canaan, the territory of Geshur was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh, although the Geshurites could not be dispossessed and continued to inhabit it (Josh. 13:2, 13). By the time of the Israelite monarchy, Geshur (meaning “stronghold” or “fortress”) had become an independent kingdom; and a political marriage was arranged between King David and Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai. Absalom was the product of their marriage (2 Sam. 3:3; 1 Chr. 3:2). Though it was later ruled by David and Solomon, Geshur, then a stronger kingdom than Israel, customarily provided the daughter in a political marriage; and it also could harbor Absalom from Israelite justice, demonstrating its power (2 Sam. 14:32).¹

The political precedent for Absalom receiving asylum existed early in ancient Near East history. In the 25,000 Middle Bronze Age texts unearthed at Mari (northeast Syria), a text during the reign of Zimri-Lim (1775—1761 BC) revealed that in the turbulent political events involving Ibal-Addu, the king of Alalakh, political refugees and pretendants to the throne might find patronage and protection in adjacent kingdoms.² As a usurper of the throne of Israel, Absalom fit this description.

In 1989, under the direction of archaeologist Rami Arav, excavations began in the lower Golan in search of the New Testament city of Bethsaida. Under the remains of a 1st-century fishing village, Arav uncovered an impressive Iron Age palace with a vestibule, main room, and throne room surrounded by eight additional rooms. Previous excavations in the City of David had revealed a style of Syrian architecture similar to what was found at Bethsaida. Following the custom of political marriage, King David’s Geshurite wife would have come to Jerusalem with her royal court, including architects to design her own living quarters. This biblical connection with history and monumental royal architecture at Bethsaida convinced Arav that he discovered the city of Geshur.

Subsequent excavations revealed more of the massive site, with its lower city containing a residential quarter and the upper city containing the public buildings and fortifications, including a 9th-century BC gatehouse, one of the best preserved in Israel, with a gate and bulwarks from Absalom’s time. On the outside of the inner gate, niches with two steps led to a basalt stone basin where two incense burners were discovered. These structures were apparently used for cultic offerings and libations.

The remains of an Iron Age basalt stele depicting the bull-headed figure of the Mesopotamian moon god Sin brandishing a dagger were found in this place. It has been conjectured that a separate raised platform (Hebrew, bimah) to the left of the cultic niche that is approached by a ramp may have been constructed for Israelite worship. (Exodus 20:26 prohibited the use of pagan altars equipped with steps.) Excavations of a later strata discovered an Egyptian figurine of the god Pataekos, related to Ptah, the god of artists and craftsmen. The presence of these ancient Near Eastern deities in Israel explains the repeated indictments of the northern kingdom of Israel for idolatry.

In the next issue of Israel My Glory, we will examine more evidence for Absalom’s historicity according to Scripture, including a Geshurite fortress.

ENDNOTES

1. 1. 1. 1. Because of Geshur’s continued dominance in the Golan Heights, Israel needed an alliance with the Geshurites. For evidence of Geshur’s regional power, see Philippe Bohstrom, “Fortifications Found Show Biblical Kingdom of Geshur More Powerful Than Thought,” Haaretz (July 20, 2016) (tinyurl.com/Geshur). Geshur faded from history in the 9th century BC.
         2. Adam E. Miglio, Tribe and State: The Dynamics of International Politics and the Reign of Zimri-Lim (Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2014), 128.