2 Samuel 13:28-36

English Standard Version

²⁸ Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's ^(A)heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” ²⁹ So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.

³⁰ While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left.” ³¹ Then the king arose and ^(B)tore his garments and ^(C)lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. ³² But ^(D)Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. ³³ Now therefore let not my lord the king so ^(E)take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”

Absalom Flees to Geshur

^34 (F)But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him^[a] by the side of the mountain. ³⁵ And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” ³⁶ And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly.