2 Samuel 13:23-39

International Standard Version

Absalom’s Men Kill Amnon

²³ Two full years later, Absalom took some men to Baal-hazor near Ephraim to shear his sheep. He^[a] also invited all of the king’s sons to come. ²⁴ Absalom had gone to the king to ask him, “I’ve brought some men to shear the sheep. Won’t you please come and join me, along with your senior staff?”

²⁵ But King David declined,^[b] saying to Absalom, “No, my son, we won’t all go, since that would be too much trouble for you.” Although Absalom begged David, he would not go, even though he did give his blessing.

²⁶ So Absalom responded, “If you aren’t coming, please allow my brother Amnon to accompany us.”

The king asked, “Why should he go with you?”

²⁷ But Absalom kept begging David^[c] until he sent Amnon and all of David’s^[d] sons to accompany Absalom.

²⁸ Then Absalom instructed his young men, “Please keep watching Amnon until he’s drunk. Then I’ll tell you, ‘Attack Amnon!’ As soon as I do, kill him and don’t be afraid! You have your orders, so be strong and brave!” ²⁹ So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as they had been^[e] ordered, but the rest of David’s sons jumped up, mounted their mules, and escaped.

³⁰ While they were still on the road, this rumor came to David: “Absalom has struck down all of the king’s sons and none of them has survived.” ³¹ David arose, ripped his clothes in anguish,^[f] and collapsed to the ground while all of his staff stood by with their own clothes torn.

³² But David’s brother Shimeah’s son Jonadab reported, “Your majesty, don’t assume they’ve killed all of the young men—the king’s sons—only Amnon has died, since that was Absalom’s intention from the day Amnon raped^[g] his sister Tamar. ³³ Now your majesty, don’t be concerned about this rumor that all the king’s sons have died, because only Amnon is dead.”

³⁴ Meanwhile, Absalom had run away. While the young man standing watch was looking around, all of a sudden he observed many people coming down the road behind and to the west of the mountain! So the watchman left his post and reported, “I have seen men coming from the direction of Horonaim.”^[h]

³⁵ Jonadab told the king, “Look! Here come the king’s sons. This thing has turned out just like your servant reported.” ³⁶ Just as he finished his comments, the king’s sons arrived, crying loudly. At this, with tears overflowing, the king and his entire staff wept bitterly.

³⁷ Absalom continued to flee, eventually going to Ammihud’s son King Talmai of Geshur, while King David continued to mourn for his son every day. ³⁸ After fleeing to Geshur, Absalom remained there for three years. ³⁹ Meanwhile, King David longed to visit Absalom, since he was moved to compassion over Amnon’s death.