2 Samuel 13:38

38 Forsooth Absalom, when he had fled, and had come into Geshur, was there (for) three years.

2 Samuel 13:38 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:38

So Absalom fled
This is the third time it is mentioned, and the reason of it here Abarbinel thinks is, that when he first fled to his grandfather, he used to stand openly in the court of his palace, and go with him wherever he went from place to place; but when he understood that his father mourned so for the death of Amnon, he was afraid he would send some person to lay hold on him, and take vengeance on him; and therefore he would go no more with the king from place to place, but went and abode in Geshur always, which was a fortified city, as it follows:

and went to Geshur, and was there three years:
and never went out of it, until he was fetched by Joab, as ( 2 Samuel 14:23 ) relates; nor is there anything in ( 2 Samuel 13:37 2 Samuel 13:38 ) disturbed and mutilated, as Spinosa ^F18 intimates, but the whole is very expressive and emphatic.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Tractat. Theolog. Politic. c. 9. p. 176.

2 Samuel 13:38 In-Context

36 And when he had ceased to speak, also the sons of the king appeared; and they entered, and raised up their voice, and wept; but also the king and all his servants wept with full great weeping.

37 Forsooth Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. Therefore David bewailed his son Amnon in many days (And so David bewailed his son Amnon for many days).

38 Forsooth Absalom, when he had fled, and had come into Geshur, was there (for) three years.

39 And [king] David ceased to pursue Absalom, for he was comforted upon the death of Amnon. (And after King David resigned himself to Amnon's death, he longed for his son Absalom.)