2 Samuel 13:20-38

20Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart.”

So Tamar lived as a desolate woman in the house of her brother Absalom.

21When King David heard all this, he was furious.1 22And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for violating his sister Tamar.

23Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king. 24And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

25“No, my son,” the king replied, “we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he was not willing to go, but gave him his blessing.

26“If not,” said Absalom, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.”

“Why should he go with you?” the king asked.

27But Absalom urged him, so the king sent Amnon and the rest of his sons.2

28Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”

29So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had ordered. Then all the other sons of the king got up, and each one fled on his mule.

30While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!”

31Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. And all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.

32But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar. 33So now, my lord the king, do not take to heart the report that all the sons of the king are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

34Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man standing watch looked up, he saw many people coming down the road west of him,3 along the side of the hill. And the watchman went and reported to the king, “I see men coming from the direction of Horonaim, along the side of the hill.”4

35So Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the sons of the king have arrived! It is just as your servant said.”

36And as he finished speaking, the sons of the king came in, wailing loudly. Then the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.

37Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day.

38After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years.