TALMAI (tăl'mī, Heb. talmay)

A son of Anak in Hebron and probably the founder of the family of the Anakim, driven from Hebron by Caleb (Num.13.22; Josh.15.14; Judg.1.10).A king of Geshur, whose daughter Maacah was one of David’s wives and Absalom’s mother (2Sam.3.3; 2Sam.13.37; 1Chr.3.2).

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TALMAI tăl’ mī (תַּלְמַ֔י). 1. One of the three sons of Anak, whose tribal group was resident at Hebron when Joshua’s spies penetrated the land (Num 13:22; Josh 15:14; Judg 1:10).

2. King of Geshur, an Aramaean principality NE of Galilee, whose daughter Maachah was espoused by David, contrary to the law, and to his bitter sorrow. The princess became the mother of the passionate Absalom (2 Sam 3:3; 13:37; 1 Chron 3:2). It was to Geshur that Absalom fled for refuge after the murder of Amnon.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

(1) A clan, possibly of Aramean origin, generally reputed to be of gigantic height; resident in Hebron at the time of the Hebrew conquest and driven thence by Caleb (Nu 13:22; Jos 15:14; Jud 1:10).

(2) A son of Ammihur (or Ammihud), king of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom, and a contemporary of David, to whom he gave his daughter Maacah in marriage. When Absalom fled from David after the assassination of Amnon he took refuge with Talmai at Geshur (2Sa 3:3; 13:37; 1Ch 3:2).