Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Absalom

ABSALOM, the third son of David, king of Israel, remarkable for his beauty. He contrived to win the affections of the people, and then stirred up a formidable rebellion. A battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim, in which the rebels were defeated. In the flight, as Absalom was riding under a tree, he was caught in the branches, in which position Joab, the commander of David's army, thrust him through. The grief of David for his loss was excessive.