Who painted David mourning over Absalom?

Gustave Doré painted David mourning over Absalom.

What Bible passage does David mourning over Absalom depict?

David mourning over Absalom depicts the biblical scene from 2 Samuel 18:24-33.

David mourning over Absalom by Gustave Doré

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As the battle raged on in the wood of Ephraim, David remained in the location where he had last seen his troops in the morning. Throughout the day, he anxiously awaited news. Seated in vigil, he momentarily set aside thoughts of his throne, his people, and even his own life, focusing entirely on his desperate concern for Absalom. With each arriving messenger, he posed the same question, "Is the young man safe?" When the sorrowful truth finally came to light, he cast aside thoughts of his own salvation, disregarded gratitude, submission, and faith, and retreated to his chamber, unleashing a profound and exceedingly bitter cry, "O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

The central figure in the illustration, with clasped hands and an averted face, effectively conveys the depths of the father's anguish, while attendants gaze upon him in consternation. David's outpouring of passionate grief was undeniably justified. When Bathsheba's child passed away, he could confidently say, "I shall go to him," but no such assurance existed here. Absalom's sun had set in the darkest of shadows. For his father, only bitter memories remained—an enduring, lifelong sorrow. How many fathers since, through either excessive indulgence or unreasonable severity toward their children, have unwittingly sown the seeds of a similar, irremediable anguish?

Details

Artist: Gustave Doré
Medium: engraving
Passage: 2 Samuel 18:24-33

Found in: 2 Samuel, 2 Samuel 18

2 Samuel 18:24-33

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.

25 The watchman cried, and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” He came closer and closer.

26 The watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper, and said, “Behold, a man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.”

27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”

28 Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, “All is well.” He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed is Yahweh your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king!”

29 The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don’t know what it was.”

30 The king said, “Come and stand here.” He came, and stood still.

31 Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, “News for my lord the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today of all those who rose up against you.”

32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you harm, be as that young man is.”

33 The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate, and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 18:24-33 · World English Bible

The artist

Gustave Doré

1832 - 1883

Strasbourg, France

Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré (6 January 1832 – 23 January 1883) was a French artist, printmaker, illustrator, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor who worked primarily with wood-engraving.