O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!

The protagonist is Stephen Kumalo, a black Anglican priest from a rural Natal town, who is searching for his son Absalom in the city of Johannesburg.

Theophilus Msimangu: A priest from Johannesburg who helps Kumalo find his son Absalom.

"O my son Absalom," Bean said softly, knowing for the first time the kind of anguish that could tear such words from a man's mouth.

When the news of the victory is brought to David, he does not rejoice, but is instead shaken with grief: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!

The third account is of a servant of King David's son Absalom.

The title derives specifically from David's anguished outcry: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!

King David spent time in the Transjordan after he had fled from his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 17 - 19.

Bean, as he sends his soldiers on a suicide mission to destroy the Buggers, says to them, "O my son Absalom.

My son, my son Absalom.