2 Samuel 13:20-38

20Her brother Absalom said to her, “Was Amnon your brother with you? Now be quiet, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take it so seriously!” Tamar, devastated, lived in the house of her brother Absalom.

21Now King David heard about all these things and was very angry.

22But Absalom said nothing to Amnon, either bad or good, yet Absalom hated Amnon because he had humiliated his sister Tamar.

23Two years later Absalom’s sheepshearers were in Baal Hazor, near Ephraim. Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

24Then Absalom went to the king and said, “My shearers have begun their work. Let the king and his servants go with me.”

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

26Then Absalom said, “If you will not go, then let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king replied to him, “Why should he go with you?”

27But when Absalom pressed him, he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons along with him.

28Absalom instructed his servants, “Look! When Amnon is drunk 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!”

29So 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.

30While 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!”

31Then 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.

32Jonadab, 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 from the day that Amnon humiliated his sister Tamar.

33Now 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.”

34In the meantime Absalom fled. When the servant who was the watchman looked up, he saw many people coming from the west on a road beside the hill.

35Jonadab said to the king, “Look! The king’s sons have come! It’s just as I said!”

36Just as he finished speaking, the king’s sons arrived, wailing and weeping. The king and all his servants wept loudly as well.

37But Absalom fled and went to King Talmai son of Ammihud of Geshur. And David grieved over his son every day.

38After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he remained there for three years.