²³ Now it happened after two full years that Absalom ^(A)had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

Absalom Strikes Down Amnon

²⁴ And 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 ^[a]urged him, he was not willing to go, but blessed him. ²⁶ Then ^(B)Absalom 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 Absalom ^[b]urged him, so he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons with him.

²⁸ Then Absalom commanded his young men, saying, “See now, ^(C)when 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 strong and be ^[c]valiant.” ²⁹ Thus the young men of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted ^(D)his 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, ^(E)tore his clothes and ^(F)lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. ^32 (G)But Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Do not let my lord ^[d]suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone has died; because by the ^[e]intent of Absalom this has been set since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. ³³ So now, do not let my lord the king ^(H)take the report to ^[f]heart, saying, ‘all the king’s sons have died,’ for only Amnon has died.”

³⁴ Then ^(I)Absalom fled. And ^(J)the 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 And 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 ^[g]very bitterly.

³⁷ Now ^(K)Absalom had fled and went to ^(L)Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of ^(M)Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. ^38 (N)So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years. ³⁹ And the heart of King David was consumed with going out to Absalom; for ^(O)he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he had died.