2 Samuel 13:30

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 .

2 Samuel 13:30 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:30

And it came to pass while they were in the way
On their road homewards, before they got to Jerusalem:

that tidings came to David;
perhaps brought by one who was at the entertainment, who upon seeing Amnon smitten, immediately rose up and fled with the news of it to David:

saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of
them left;
which he might suppose was the design of Absalom, and was done before that time; however, so it was ordered in Providence, that David, that rejoiced at the news of the death of Uriah, might be terrified with the tidings of the death of all his sons; and for a while it was as if it was really so, which occasioned the following behaviour in him.

2 Samuel 13:30 In-Context

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 .

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded . Then all the king's sons arose , and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled .

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 .

31 Then the king arose , and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent .

32 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.