24Absalomcame to the king and said, "Beholdnow, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servantsgo with your servant."
25
But the kingsaid to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not allgo, for we will be burdensome to you." Although he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him.
26
Then 1Absalomsaid, "If not, please let my brotherAmnongo with us." And the kingsaid to him, "Why should he go with you?"
27
But when Absalomurged him, he letAmnon and all the king'ssonsgo with him.
28
Absalomcommanded his servants, saying, "Seenow, 2when Amnon'sheart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'StrikeAmnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myselfcommanded you? Be courageous and be valiant*."
29
The servants of Absalomdid to Amnonjust as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king'ssonsarose and eachmounted3his mule and fled.
30
Now it was while they were on the way that the reportcame to David, saying, "Absalom has struckdownall the king'ssons, and not one of them is left."
31
Then the kingarose, 4tore his clothes and 5lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothestorn.
32
6Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David'sbrother, responded*, "Do not let my lordsuppose they have put to deathall the youngmen, the king'ssons, for Amnonalone is dead; because by the intent of Absalom this has beendeterminedsince the day that he violated his sisterTamar.
33
"Now therefore, do not let my lord the king7take the report to heart, namely, 'all the king'ssons are dead,' for onlyAmnon is dead."
34
Now 8Absalom had fled. And 9the youngman who was the watchmanraised his eyes and looked, and behold, manypeople were coming from the roadbehind him by the side of the mountain.
35
Jonadabsaid to the king, "Behold, the king'ssons have come; according to your servant'sword, so it happened."
36
As soon as he had finishedspeaking, behold, the king'ssonscame and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servantsweptverybitterly*.
37
Now 10Absalomfled and went to 11Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of 12Geshur. And David mourned for his soneveryday.
38
13So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was therethreeyears.
39
The heart of KingDavidlonged to go out to Absalom; for 14he was comfortedconcerningAmnon, since he was dead.