2 Samuel 13:24-39

Absalom Avenges Tamar

24 Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant."
25 But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you." Although he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him.
26 Then 1Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?"
27 But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now, 2when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant *."
29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose and each mounted 3his mule and fled.
30 Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, "Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left."
31 Then the king arose, 4tore his clothes and 5lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn.
32 6Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, responded *, "Do not let my lord suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar.
33 "Now therefore, do not let my lord the king 7take the report to heart, namely, 'all the king's sons are dead,' for only Amnon is dead."
34 Now 8Absalom had fled. And 9the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain.
35 Jonadab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons have come; according to your servant's word, so it happened."
36 As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly *.
37 Now 10Absalom fled and went to 11Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of 12Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38 13So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years.
39 The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for 14he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

2 Samuel 13:24-39 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.

Cross References 14

  • 1. 2 Samuel 3:27; 2 Samuel 11:13-15
  • 2. Judg 19:6, 9, 22; 1 Samuel 25:36-38
  • 3. 2 Samuel 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33, 38
  • 4. 2 Samuel 1:11
  • 5. 2 Samuel 12:16
  • 6. 2 Samuel 13:3-5
  • 7. 2 Samuel 19:19
  • 8. 2 Samuel 13:37, 38
  • 9. 2 Samuel 18:24
  • 10. 2 Samuel 13:34
  • 11. 2 Samuel 3:3
  • 12. 2 Samuel 14:23, 32
  • 13. 2 Samuel 13:34
  • 14. 2 Samuel 12:19-23

Footnotes 8

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