Absalom Murders Amnon, 2nd Judgment

Absalom seeks revenge on Amnon who raped his sister. He invites his father and brother's to sheer sheep. This invitation of course included Amnon, for the real purpose of Absalom in giving the feast was to secure the opportunity of seizing him. Absalom's deep guile is revealed in this invitation to David. He hardly expected his father to come, but by urging him to do so, he would help to allay suspicion and would thus encourage the attendance of Amnon.

David declined the invitation on the ground that the attendance of so many might be burdensome to Absalom. By continuing to urge his father's attendance, Absalom effectively disguised his real purpose and succeeded in securing David's blessing on the festivities. Everything now appeared above suspicion.

David's sons were now grown, but evidently the father still continued to exercise some measure of control over their activities. Amnon was particularly invited, since he was the eldest son and the heir apparent, who could represent his father at the feast. By continued urging Absalom finally broke down his father's resistance and secured his consent that not only Amnon but all the princes (v. 29) be permitted to attend the feast.

While feasting and drinking, Absalom smites Amnon. At this time David's second son, Chileab (ch. 3:3), was possibly already dead, for we hear nothing of him in the record. If so, the death of Amnon would thus make Absalom the next in line for the throne (see ch. 3:2, 3). Perhaps Absalom's servants thought that his orders for the death of Amnon were aimed at securing his own succession to the throne.