2 Samuel 13:23 - Forerunner Commentary

2 Samuel 13:23

21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon ^aneither good nor bad. For Absalom ^bhated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Absalom Murders Amnon

23 And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom ^ahad sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him.

26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”

27 But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s ^aheart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and¹ valiant.”

29 So the servants of Absalom ^adid to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on ^bhis mule and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left!”

31 So the king arose and ^atore his garments and ^blay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.

32 Then ^aJonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore, ^alet not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead.”

Absalom Flees to Geshur

34 ^aThen Absalom fled. And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, and there, many people were coming from the road on the hillside behind¹ him.

35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.”

36 So it was, as soon as he had finished speaking, that the king’s sons indeed came, and they lifted up their voice and wept. Also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly.

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

38 So Absalom fled and went to ^aGeshur, and was there three years.

39 And¹ King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been ^acomforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

Verse Comparison: 2 Samuel 13:23

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American Standard Version
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

Amplified® Bible
After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

Contemporary English Version
Two years later, Absalom's servants were cutting wool from his sheep in Baal-Hazor near the town of Ephraim, and Absalom invited all of the king's sons to be there.

Darby English Version
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

Good News Bible
Two years later Absalom was having his sheep sheared at Baal Hazor, near the town of Ephraim, and he invited all the king's sons to be there.

King James Version
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

New American Standard Bible
Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

New International Version
Two years later, when Absalom's sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king's sons to come there.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which lay near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

Revised Standard Version
After two full years Ab'salom had sheepshearers at Ba'al-ha'zor, which is near E'phraim, and Ab'salom invited all the king's sons.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, after two years of days, that Absalom hath shearers in Baal-Hazor, which `is' with Ephraim, and Absalom calleth for all the sons of the king.

New English Translation
Two years later Absalom’s sheepshearers were in Baal Hazor,¹ near Ephraim. Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

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