2 Samuel 13:28

28 Then Absalom instructed his servants, "Watch Amnon. When he is drunk, I will tell you, 'Kill Amnon.' Right then, kill him! Don't be afraid, because I have commanded you! Be strong and brave!"

2 Samuel 13:28 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:28

Now Absalom had commanded his servants
Before he and his guests were set down to the entertainment:

saying, mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine;
as he was determined to make him if possible, and as he supposed he would be, knowing his inclination to drink:

and when I say unto you, smite Amnon, then kill him;
smite him that he die, and be sure he is dead before you leave him:

fear not, have not I commanded you?
who am your lord, the king's son, and will then be heir to the crown; fear not, I will protect you; let all the blame be laid to me, if any; I will be answerable for it, you have nothing to do but to obey my commands:

be courageous, and be valiant;
show yourselves to be men of courage and valour, not fearing the king's sons, or any in company, or what will be the consequences of it; do your business effectually, and leave all with me; it is very reasonably supposed that Absalom had not only in view to revenge the rape of his sister, but to get himself next heir to the crown.

2 Samuel 13:28 In-Context

26 Absalom said, "If you don't want to come, then please let my brother Amnon come with us." King David asked, "Why should he go with you?"
27 Absalom kept begging David until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with Absalom.
28 Then Absalom instructed his servants, "Watch Amnon. When he is drunk, I will tell you, 'Kill Amnon.' Right then, kill him! Don't be afraid, because I have commanded you! Be strong and brave!"
29 So Absalom's young men killed Amnon as Absalom commanded, but all of David's other sons got on their mules and escaped.
30 While the king's sons were on their way, the news came to David, "Absalom has killed all of the king's sons! Not one of them is left alive!"
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.