2 Samuel 13:23-39
Legacy Standard Bible
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 13:25 Lit broke through
- 2 Samuel 13:27 Lit broke through
- 2 Samuel 13:28 Lit sons of valor
- 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit say
- 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit mouth
- 2 Samuel 13:33 Lit his heart
- 2 Samuel 13:36 Lit with a very great weeping
2 Samuel 13:23-39
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Absalom Avenges the Violation of His Sister
23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 Absalom came to the king and said, “Your servant has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants please go with your servant?” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, or else we will be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. Absalom made a feast like a king’s feast.[a] 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not be afraid; have I not myself commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”(A) 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons rose, and each mounted his mule and fled.(B)
30 While they were on the way, the report came to David that Absalom had killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them was left. 31 The king rose, tore his garments, and lay on the ground, and all his servants who were standing by tore their garments.(C) 32 But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king’s sons; Amnon alone is dead. This has been determined by Absalom from the day Amnon[b] raped his sister Tamar.(D) 33 Now, therefore, do not let my lord the king take it to heart, as if all the king’s sons were dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”(E)
34 But Absalom fled. When the young man who kept watch looked up, he saw many people coming from the Horonaim road[c] by the side of the mountain.(F) 35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the king’s sons arrived and raised their voices and wept, and the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son day after day.(G) 38 Absalom, having fled to Geshur, stayed there three years. 39 And the heart of[d] the king went out, yearning for Absalom, for he was now consoled over the death of Amnon.(H)
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.