2 Samuel 13:21-39

Absalom Murders Amnon

21 When King David heard about all these things, he was furious.[a]
22 Absalom didn't say anything to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon since he disgraced his sister Tamar.
23 Two years later, Absalom's sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
24 Then he went to the king and said, "Your servant has just hired sheepshearers. Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?"
25 The king replied to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you." Although Absalom urged him, he wasn't willing to go, though he did bless him.
26 "If not," Absalom said, "please let my brother Amnon go with us." The king asked him, "Why should he go with you?"
27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent Amnon and all the king's sons.[b]
28 Now Absalom commanded his young men, "Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don't be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and courageous!"[c]
29 So Absalom's young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all [the rest of] the king's sons got up, and each fled on his mule.
30 While they were on the way, a report reached David: "Absalom struck down all the king's sons; not even one of them survived!"
31 In response the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.[d]
32 But Jonadab, son of David's brother Shimeah,[e] spoke up: "My lord must not think they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, because only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this[f] ever since the day Amnon disgraced his sister Tamar.
33 So now, my lord the king, don't take seriously the report that says all the king's sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead."
34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man who was standing watch looked up, there were many people coming from the road west of him from the side of the mountain.[g]
35 Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons have come! It's exactly like your servant said."
36 Just as he finished speaking, the king's sons entered and wept loudly. Then the king and all his servants also wept bitterly.
37 Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur.[h] And David mourned for his son[i] every day.
38 Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur where he stayed three years.
39 Then King David[j] longed to go to Absalom, for David had finished grieving over Amnon's death.

2 Samuel 13:21-39 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 13

This chapter relates some of the evils that were to arise out of David's house, and which were similar to the evils committed by him; the deflowering of his daughter, and the murder of his eldest son: the story is this; Amnon falls in love with Tamar, his sister, and grew thin upon it, which being observed by a friend of his, inquires the reason of it, which having got out of him, forms a scheme for obtaining his desire, and which succeeded; for by it he had the opportunity of ravishing his sister, 2Sa 13:1-14; the consequences of which were extreme hatred of her, hurrying her out of doors, lamentation and mourning on her part, grief to David, and enmity in the heart of Absalom to Amnon, which put him upon meditating his death, 2Sa 13:15-22; and which was brought about after this manner. Absalom had a sheep shearing, to which he invited the king and all his sons, and to which they all came excepting the king, 2Sa 13:23-27; when Absalom gave orders to his servants to observe Amnon when he was merry, and at his word smite him and kill him, as they did, 2Sa 13:28,29; tidings of which soon came to the ears of David, and these aggravated, that all the king's sons were killed, which threw the king into an agony; but Jonadab endeavoured to pacify him, by assuring him that only Amnon was dead, the truth of which soon appeared by the coming of the king's sons, 2Sa 13:30-36; but Absalom fled to Geshur, where he remained three years, when David's heart began to be towards him, and to long for him, who was to bring more evil against him, 2Sa 13:37-39.

Footnotes 10

  • [a]. LXX, DSS add but he did not grieve the spirit of Amnon his son, for he loved him because he was his firstborn; 1 Kg 1:6
  • [b]. LXX adds And Absalom prepared a feast like a royal feast.
  • [c]. Jos 1:9
  • [d]. 2 Sm 1:11
  • [e]. 2 Sm 13:3-5
  • [f]. Lit In fact, it was established on the mouth of Absalom
  • [g]. LXX adds And the watchman came and reported to the king saying, "I see men on the Horonaim road on the side of the mountain."
  • [h]. 2 Sm 3:3
  • [i]. Probably Amnon
  • [j]. DSS, LXX, Tg read David's spirit
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