New American Standard Bible 1995

2 Samuel 13:23-38

23Now it came about after two full years that Absalom 1had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you.” Although he 2urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. 26Then 3Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27But when Absalom 4urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, 5when 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 courageous and be 6valiant.” 29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted 7his mule and fled.

30Now 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.” 31Then the king arose, 8tore his clothes and 9lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 32 10Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, 11responded, “Do not let my lord 12suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the 13intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. 33Now therefore, do not let my lord the king 14take the report to 15heart, namely, ‘all the king’s sons are dead,’ for only Amnon is dead.”

34Now 16Absalom had fled. And 17the 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. 35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come; according to your servant’s word, so it happened.” 36As 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 18very bitterly.

37Now 19Absalom fled and went to 20Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of 21Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 22So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years.

Read all of 2 Samuel 13

Notes

1. 2 Samuel 13:23 1 Sam 25:7 ↩
2. 2 Samuel 13:25 Lit broke through ↩
3. 2 Samuel 13:26 2 Sam 3:27; 11:13-15 ↩
4. 2 Samuel 13:27 Lit broke through ↩
5. 2 Samuel 13:28 Judg 19:6, 9, 22; 1 Sam 25:36-38 ↩
6. 2 Samuel 13:28 Lit sons of valor ↩
7. 2 Samuel 13:29 2 Sam 18:9; 1 Kin 1:33, 38 ↩
8. 2 Samuel 13:31 2 Sam 1:11 ↩
9. 2 Samuel 13:31 2 Sam 12:16 ↩
10. 2 Samuel 13:32 2 Sam 13:3-5 ↩
11. 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit answered and said ↩
12. 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit say ↩
13. 2 Samuel 13:32 Lit mouth ↩
14. 2 Samuel 13:33 2 Sam 19:19 ↩
15. 2 Samuel 13:33 Lit his heart ↩
16. 2 Samuel 13:34 2 Sam 13:37, 38 ↩
17. 2 Samuel 13:34 2 Sam 18:24 ↩
18. 2 Samuel 13:36 Lit with a very great weeping ↩
19. 2 Samuel 13:37 2 Sam 13:34 ↩
20. 2 Samuel 13:37 2 Sam 3:3 ↩
21. 2 Samuel 13:37 2 Sam 14:23, 32 ↩
22. 2 Samuel 13:38 2 Sam 13:34 ↩

Notes

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 13