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2 Samuel 13:23-39
New English Translation

Absalom Has Amnon Put to Death

23 Two years later Absalom’s sheepshearers were in Baal Hazor, near Ephraim. Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 Then Absalom went to the king and said, “My shearers have begun their work.[a] Let the king and his servants go with me.”

25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son. We shouldn’t all go. We shouldn’t burden you in that way.” Though Absalom[b] pressed[c] him, the king[d] was not willing to go. Instead, David[e] blessed him.

26 Then Absalom said, “If you will not go,[f] then let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king replied to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But when Absalom pressed him, he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons along with him.

28 Absalom instructed his servants, “Look! When Amnon is drunk[g] and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ kill him then and there. Don’t fear! Is it not I who have given you these instructions? Be strong and courageous!”[h] 29 So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon exactly what Absalom had instructed. Then all the king’s sons got up; each one rode away on his mule and fled.

30 While they were still on their way, the following report reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons; not one of them is left!” 31 Then the king stood up and tore his garments and lay down on the ground. All his servants were standing there with torn garments as well.

32 Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, said, “My lord should not say, ‘They have killed all the young men who are the king’s sons.’ For only Amnon is dead. This is what Absalom has talked about[i] from the day that Amnon[j] humiliated his sister Tamar. 33 Now don’t let my lord the king be concerned about the report that has come saying, ‘All the king’s sons are dead.’ It is only Amnon who is dead.”

34 In the meantime Absalom fled. When the servant who was the watchman looked up, he saw many people coming from the west[k] on a road beside the hill. 35 Jonadab said to the king, “Look! The king’s sons have come! It’s just as I said.”

36 Just as he finished speaking, the king’s sons arrived, wailing and weeping.[l] The king and all his servants wept loudly[m] as well. 37 But Absalom fled and went to King Talmai son of Ammihud of Geshur. And David[n] grieved over his son every day.

38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he remained there for three years. 39 The king longed[o] to go to Absalom, for he had since been consoled over the death of Amnon.[p]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 13:24 tn Heb “your servant has sheepshearers.” The phrase “your servant” also occurs at the end of the verse and is translated as "me".
  2. 2 Samuel 13:25 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Absalom) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  3. 2 Samuel 13:25 tc Here and in v. 27 the translation follows 4QSama ויפצר (vayyiftsar, “and he pressed”) rather than the MT וַיִּפְרָץ (vayyifrats, “and he broke through”). This emended reading seems also to underlie the translations of the LXX (καὶ ἐβιάσατο, kai ebiasato), the Syriac Peshitta (weʾalseh), and Vulgate (cogeret eum).
  4. 2 Samuel 13:25 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  5. 2 Samuel 13:25 tn Heb “he”; the referent (David) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  6. 2 Samuel 13:26 tn Heb “and not.”
  7. 2 Samuel 13:28 tn Heb “when good is the heart of Amnon with wine.”
  8. 2 Samuel 13:28 tn Heb “and become sons of valor.”
  9. 2 Samuel 13:32 tn Heb “it was placed on the mouth of Absalom.”
  10. 2 Samuel 13:32 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Amnon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  11. 2 Samuel 13:34 tn Heb “behind him.”
  12. 2 Samuel 13:36 tn Heb “and they lifted their voice and wept.”
  13. 2 Samuel 13:36 tn Heb “with a great weeping.”
  14. 2 Samuel 13:37 tc The Hebrew text leaves the word “David” to be inferred. The Syriac Peshitta and Vulgate add the word “David.” Most of the Greek tradition includes the words “King David” here.
  15. 2 Samuel 13:39 tc The translation follows 4QSama in reading רוּחַ הַמֶּלֶךְ (ruakh hammelekh, “the spirit of the king”) rather than the MT דָּוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ (david hammelekh, “David the king”). The understanding reflected in the translation above is that David, though alienated during this time from his son Absalom, still had an abiding love and concern for him. He longed for reconciliation with him. A rather different interpretation of the verse supposes that David’s interest in taking military action against Absalom grew slack with the passing of time, and this in turn enabled David’s advisers to encourage him toward reconciliation with Absalom. For the latter view, see P. K. McCarter, II Samuel (AB), 344, and cf. CEV.
  16. 2 Samuel 13:39 tn Heb “was consoled over Amnon, because he was dead.”
Close LSB

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.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 13:25 Lit broke through
  2. 2 Samuel 13:27 Lit broke through
  3. 2 Samuel 13:28 Lit sons of valor
  4. 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit say
  5. 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit mouth
  6. 2 Samuel 13:33 Lit his heart
  7. 2 Samuel 13:36 Lit with a very great weeping
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