2 Samuel 13:38

38 But Absalom, after fleeing to Geshur, stayed there for three years.

2 Samuel 13:38 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:38

So Absalom fled
This is the third time it is mentioned, and the reason of it here Abarbinel thinks is, that when he first fled to his grandfather, he used to stand openly in the court of his palace, and go with him wherever he went from place to place; but when he understood that his father mourned so for the death of Amnon, he was afraid he would send some person to lay hold on him, and take vengeance on him; and therefore he would go no more with the king from place to place, but went and abode in Geshur always, which was a fortified city, as it follows:

and went to Geshur, and was there three years:
and never went out of it, until he was fetched by Joab, as ( 2 Samuel 14:23 ) relates; nor is there anything in ( 2 Samuel 13:37 2 Samuel 13:38 ) disturbed and mutilated, as Spinosa ^F18 intimates, but the whole is very expressive and emphatic.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Tractat. Theolog. Politic. c. 9. p. 176.

2 Samuel 13:38 In-Context

36 When Jonadab finished speaking, the princes arrived. They broke into loud crying, and the king and his servants cried hard as well.

37 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur's King Talmai, Ammihud's son. David mourned for his son a long time.

38 But Absalom, after fleeing to Geshur, stayed there for three years.

39 Then the king's desire to go out after Absalom faded away because he had gotten over Amnon's death.