Absalom Murders His Brother & Flees
August 21, 2020
Commentary
Two years after Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom decided the time had come to take revenge for his sister (13:23–24). He chose the season of sheep-shearing as the setting for his plan, a time of celebration and lowered guard. Absalom invited David, all the king’s sons, and officials to a feast. David declined, not wanting to burden his son or attend such a large gathering (13:25). Absalom then requested that Amnon attend. Though David questioned the request, he eventually allowed Amnon and the other sons to go (13:26–27). David’s hesitation and lack of firm leadership opened the door for tragedy.
Absalom instructed his servants to watch for the moment when Amnon became drunk with wine, then strike and kill him (13:28). The servants carried out Absalom’s command, and the remaining sons fled in terror (13:29). David’s own sins were now repeated within his family. As David had committed adultery and murder, so Amnon committed sexual violence, and Absalom committed murder. A false report soon reached David, claiming all his sons were dead (13:30–31). David mourned deeply until Jonadab corrected the re-port, explaining that only Amnon had been killed (13:32–33).
Absalom fled, and a watchman later reported seeing many people approaching (13:34). Soon David’s sons arrived, weeping. David and his officials mourned together (13:35–38). David grieved for Amnon for a long time. Absalom escaped to Geshur and remained there with King Talmai (13:39). David longed to see Absalom but struggled to act wisely. His love for his sons often clouded his judgment. Yet David never lost his desire to please God. His life reminds us that God does not seek perfect people, but those with hearts who seek to be close to Him.
Application
When anger grows in my heart, how do I handle it? Do I wait patiently for God’s justice, or do I take revenge into my own hands? When family conflict hurts deeply, do I seek healing or allow bitterness to grow? Today I ask God to guard my heart, and help me choose truth, patience, and obedience instead of anger.
2 Samuel 13:23–39 (NET)
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. 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 pressed him, the king was not willing to go. Instead, David blessed him.
26 Then 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?” 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 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!” 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 from the day that Amnon 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 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. The king and all his servants wept loudly as well. 37 But Absalom fled and went to King Talmai son of Ammihud of Geshur. And David grieved over his son every day.
38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he remained there for three years. 39 The king longed to go to Absalom, for he had since been consoled over the death of Amnon.
A Defendant on Trial For Murder
A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense’s closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick: “Ladies … Continue