44 Bible Trivia Questions About Absalom

Handsome and ambitious, Absalom won the hearts of Israel and rose up against his own father, King David. Test what you remember of his story.

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Easy questions

  1. Question 1Easy

    David wrote a psalm while fleeing from which of his sons?

    Answer: D. AbsalomPsalms 3:1
    A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
  2. Question 2Easy

    How was Absalom caught during the battle?

    Answer: D. His hair/head got caught in an oak tree2 Samuel 18:9
    And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
  3. Question 3Easy

    Absalom had built a monument to himself because he had no son to carry on his name.

    Answer: True2 Samuel 18:18
    Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.

Medium questions

  1. Question 4Medium

    Why did the people tell David not to go out to battle against Absalom?

    Answer: D. He was worth ten thousand of them2 Samuel 18:3
    But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
  2. Question 5Medium

    How did David go up the Mount of Olives?

    Answer: A. Weeping, head covered, and barefoot2 Samuel 15:30
    And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
  3. Question 6Medium

    To which king of Geshur did Absalom flee?

    Answer: C. King Talmai (his grandfather)2 Samuel 13:37
    But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
  4. Question 7Medium

    Who was the beautiful sister of Absalom that Amnon fell in love with?

    Answer: B. Tamar2 Samuel 13:1
    And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
  5. Question 8Medium

    Who did David send back to Jerusalem to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel?

    Answer: C. Hushai the Arkite2 Samuel 15:34
    But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
  6. Question 9Medium

    What did King David do when he heard the report that Absalom had killed all his sons?

    Answer: B. Tore his clothes and lay on the ground2 Samuel 13:30-31
    And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
  7. Question 10Medium

    Who killed Absalom while he was hanging in the tree?

    Answer: A. Joab and his armor-bearers2 Samuel 18:14-15
    Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
  8. Question 11Medium

    What detestable advice did Ahithophel give Absalom regarding David's concubines?

    Answer: C. Sleep with them in the sight of all Israel2 Samuel 16:21-22
    And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
  9. Question 12Medium

    Who cursed David and threw stones at him while he was fleeing from Absalom?

    Answer: C. Shimei son of Gera2 Samuel 16:5-6
    And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
  10. Question 13Medium

    Why did David flee from Jerusalem?

    Answer: A. He feared Absalom would attack the city and kill them2 Samuel 15:14
    And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
  11. Question 14Medium

    What did King David's daughter Tamar do to show her mourning after being disgraced by Amnon?

    Answer: B. Put ashes on her head and tore her robe2 Samuel 13:19
    And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  12. Question 15Medium

    The wise woman of Tekoa said, 'Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must...'

    Answer: B. Die2 Samuel 14:14
    For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
  13. Question 16Medium

    Who met David with donkeys loaded with food and lied about Mephibosheth?

    Answer: B. Ziba2 Samuel 16:1-3
    And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer …
  14. Question 17Medium

    During Absalom's rebellion, who brought supplies to David at Mahanaim?

    Answer: D. Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai2 Samuel 17:27-29
    And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the …
  15. Question 18Medium

    Which of David's sons wickedly assaulted his half-sister Tamar?

    Answer: A. Amnon2 Samuel 13:14
    Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
  16. Question 19Medium

    What order did David give his commanders concerning Absalom?

    Answer: A. Be gentle with the young man Absalom2 Samuel 18:5
    And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
  17. Question 20Medium

    How did Absalom take revenge on Amnon two years later?

    Answer: B. He had his servants kill him at a sheep-shearing feast2 Samuel 13:28
    Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
  18. Question 21Medium

    What did David pray regarding Ahithophel's counsel?

    Answer: B. Turn it into foolishness2 Samuel 15:31
    And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
  19. Question 22Medium

    Tamar lived as a desolate woman in the house of her brother Absalom after the assault.

    Answer: True2 Samuel 13:20
    And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
  20. Question 23Medium

    King David realized that Joab was behind the wise woman of Tekoa's story.

    Answer: True2 Samuel 14:19
    And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
  21. Question 24Medium

    How did Absalom 'steal the hearts' of the people of Israel?

    Answer: D. He stood by the city gate and promised justice to everyone2 Samuel 15:6
    And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
  22. Question 25Medium

    Who sent the wise woman of Tekoa to speak to King David?

    Answer: D. Joab2 Samuel 14:2
    And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
  23. Question 26Medium

    What did Ahithophel do when he saw his advice was not followed?

    Answer: B. Put his house in order and hanged himself2 Samuel 17:23
    And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
  24. Question 27Medium

    What false report did David receive about his sons?

    Answer: D. Absalom has killed all the king's sons2 Samuel 13:30
    And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
  25. Question 28Medium

    How did Amnon feel toward Tamar after he had forced himself on her?

    Answer: A. He hated her with intense hatred2 Samuel 13:15
    Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
  26. Question 29Medium

    In which city did Absalom declare himself king?

    Answer: C. Hebron2 Samuel 15:10
    But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
  27. Question 30Medium

    Who advised Absalom NOT to attack David immediately, countering Ahithophel?

    Answer: B. Hushai2 Samuel 17:7
    And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
  28. Question 31Medium

    While fleeing from Absalom, how did David respond to Shimei's curses?

    Answer: A. Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to2 Samuel 16:10-11
    And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
  29. Question 32Medium

    What did David cry out when he heard of Absalom's death?

    Answer: B. O my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you!2 Samuel 18:33
    And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
  30. Question 33Medium

    What did Amnon pretend to be in order to get Tamar to come to his house?

    Answer: B. Sick2 Samuel 13:6
    So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
  31. Question 34Medium

    What did Absalom do to get Joab's attention to come see him?

    Answer: A. Set Joab's barley field on fire2 Samuel 14:30
    Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
  32. Question 35Medium

    What food did Tamar make for Amnon when he pretended to be ill?

    Answer: B. Cakes shaped like hearts2 Samuel 13:8-10
    So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the …
  33. Question 36Medium

    What point was the wise woman of Tekoa making to David?

    Answer: B. He should bring back his banished son2 Samuel 14:13
    And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

Hard questions

  1. Question 37Hard

    How much did Absalom's hair weigh when he cut it once a year?

    Answer: D. 200 shekels (about 5 lbs)2 Samuel 14:26
    And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
  2. Question 38Hard

    Who was the crafty friend who advised Amnon on how to get Tamar?

    Answer: A. Jonadab2 Samuel 13:3
    But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
  3. Question 39Hard

    What did Amnon order his servant to do with Tamar?

    Answer: A. Put her out and bolt the door after her2 Samuel 13:17
    Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
  4. Question 40Hard

    The advice of Ahithophel was considered like what in those days?

    Answer: D. Like inquiring of the word of God2 Samuel 16:23
    And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
  5. Question 41Hard

    Who was David's counselor who joined Absalom's conspiracy?

    Answer: D. Ahithophel2 Samuel 15:12
    And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
  6. Question 42Hard

    How many sons and daughters did Absalom have?

    Answer: A. Three sons and one daughter2 Samuel 14:27
    And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
  7. Question 43Hard

    What river did King David hastily cross at night while fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom?

    Answer: D. Jordan2 Samuel 17:22
    Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
  8. Question 44Hard

    When David heard a report that all his sons were killed, who informed him that only Amnon was dead?

    Answer: D. Jonadab2 Samuel 13:32-35
    And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. But …

Answer key

  1. D. Absalom (Psalms 3:1)
  2. D. His hair/head got caught in an oak tree (2 Samuel 18:9)
  3. True (2 Samuel 18:18)
  4. D. He was worth ten thousand of them (2 Samuel 18:3)
  5. A. Weeping, head covered, and barefoot (2 Samuel 15:30)
  6. C. King Talmai (his grandfather) (2 Samuel 13:37)
  7. B. Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1)
  8. C. Hushai the Arkite (2 Samuel 15:34)
  9. B. Tore his clothes and lay on the ground (2 Samuel 13:30-31)
  10. A. Joab and his armor-bearers (2 Samuel 18:14-15)
  11. C. Sleep with them in the sight of all Israel (2 Samuel 16:21-22)
  12. C. Shimei son of Gera (2 Samuel 16:5-6)
  13. A. He feared Absalom would attack the city and kill them (2 Samuel 15:14)
  14. B. Put ashes on her head and tore her robe (2 Samuel 13:19)
  15. B. Die (2 Samuel 14:14)
  16. B. Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-3)
  17. D. Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27-29)
  18. A. Amnon (2 Samuel 13:14)
  19. A. Be gentle with the young man Absalom (2 Samuel 18:5)
  20. B. He had his servants kill him at a sheep-shearing feast (2 Samuel 13:28)
  21. B. Turn it into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31)
  22. True (2 Samuel 13:20)
  23. True (2 Samuel 14:19)
  24. D. He stood by the city gate and promised justice to everyone (2 Samuel 15:6)
  25. D. Joab (2 Samuel 14:2)
  26. B. Put his house in order and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23)
  27. D. Absalom has killed all the king's sons (2 Samuel 13:30)
  28. A. He hated her with intense hatred (2 Samuel 13:15)
  29. C. Hebron (2 Samuel 15:10)
  30. B. Hushai (2 Samuel 17:7)
  31. A. Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to (2 Samuel 16:10-11)
  32. B. O my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! (2 Samuel 18:33)
  33. B. Sick (2 Samuel 13:6)
  34. A. Set Joab's barley field on fire (2 Samuel 14:30)
  35. B. Cakes shaped like hearts (2 Samuel 13:8-10)
  36. B. He should bring back his banished son (2 Samuel 14:13)
  37. D. 200 shekels (about 5 lbs) (2 Samuel 14:26)
  38. A. Jonadab (2 Samuel 13:3)
  39. A. Put her out and bolt the door after her (2 Samuel 13:17)
  40. D. Like inquiring of the word of God (2 Samuel 16:23)
  41. D. Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:12)
  42. A. Three sons and one daughter (2 Samuel 14:27)
  43. D. Jordan (2 Samuel 17:22)
  44. D. Jonadab (2 Samuel 13:32-35)
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Who was Absalom?

Absalom was the third son of King David, born in Hebron to Maacah (2 Samuel 3:3). No one in all Israel was praised as much for his beauty, and when he cut his thick hair each year it weighed two hundred shekels (2 Samuel 14:25–26). After his half brother Amnon wronged his sister Tamar, Absalom waited two years and had Amnon killed at a sheep-shearing feast (2 Samuel 13:28–29). He then fled to Geshur for three years.

Back in Jerusalem, Absalom sat by the city gate and "stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:6). He declared himself king in Hebron, and David fled the city. In the battle in the wood of Ephraim, Absalom's head caught in an oak as his mule ran on (2 Samuel 18:9), and Joab killed him. David wept, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son" (2 Samuel 18:33).

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