2 Samuel 13:30

30 While they were on their way, the news came to David that Avshalom had killed all the king's sons, and not one of them was left alive.

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 Avshalom ordered his servants, "Pay close attention: when Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine, and I say to you, 'Kill Amnon,' then strike him down. Don't be afraid - I'm the one ordering you to do it - but take courage, and be bold."

29 Avshalom's servants did to Amnon as Avshalom had ordered. At this, all the king's sons jumped up, mounted their mules and fled.

30 While they were on their way, the news came to David that Avshalom had killed all the king's sons, and not one of them was left alive.

31 The king got up, tore his clothes and lay on the ground, while all his servants stood by with their clothes torn too.

32 But then Yonadav, the son of Shim'ah, David's brother, spoke up; he said, "My lord shouldn't think they have killed all the young men, the king's sons. Only Amnon is dead; for Avshalom has meant to do this ever since the day he raped his sister Tamar.