Day 135 – 2 Samuel 13:23-33

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 13:23-33

This passage shows the bitter fruit of hatred that was allowed to sit for two full years. Amnon had forced Tamar, and Absalom had said nothing to him, neither good nor bad. But silence did not mean peace. Hatred was growing under the surface. Now Absalom uses a feast to set a trap, and the sword Nathan spoke of continues inside David's own house.

"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."

(2 Samuel 13:23)

Two full years have passed since Tamar was violated. Absalom has not forgotten. He has sheepshearers in Baalhazor, and this would have been a time of feasting and celebration. He invites all the king's sons.

"And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant."

(2 Samuel 13:24)

Absalom comes respectfully to David. He calls himself David's servant and invites the king and his servants to the sheepshearing.

"And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him."

(2 Samuel 13:25)

David refuses to go because he does not want to be a burden to Absalom. Absalom presses him, but David still will not go. Instead, David blesses him.

"Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?"

(2 Samuel 13:26)

Now Absalom reveals who he really wants there: Amnon. David asks, "Why should he go with thee?" That question tells me David senses something unusual. Why Amnon? Why this son in particular? But David does not stop it. Polite words can hide a dark motive.

"But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him."

(2 Samuel 13:27)

Absalom keeps pressing until David allows Amnon and all the king's sons to go. David gives permission, and the sons go to the feast. This reminds me how dangerous it is when pressure wears down good judgment. My kids will wait until the perfect time to ask my wife if they can do something they know she would say no to. But because she's busy and they are persistent, she says yes not knowing what she said yes to.

"Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant."

(2 Samuel 13:28)

Absalom tells his servants to wait until Amnon is merry with wine, then strike and kill him. He even tells them to be courageous and valiant, as if murder is bravery. His hatred has now become a task for his servants. Absalom is carrying out revenge.

"And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled."

(2 Samuel 13:29)

The servants obey Absalom and kill Amnon. What began as a feast turns into terror. All the king's sons rise, get on their mules, and flee. Panic is now spreading through David's family. The sword is continuing to cut inside the family.

"And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left."

(2 Samuel 13:30)

Before the sons even get back, a report reaches David saying that Absalom has killed all the king's sons. The report is not true, but David does not know that yet. For a moment, David believes the whole royal family has been wiped out. Sin has brought confusion, fear, and grief into the king's house.

"Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent."

(2 Samuel 13:31)

David rises, tears his garments, and lies on the earth. He thinks all his sons are dead. The grief is heavy, and I can see the weight of Nathan's words pressing down on David's house.

"And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar."

(2 Samuel 13:32)

Now Jonadab speaks. This is the same subtle man who helped Amnon form the wicked plan against Tamar. He tells David not to think all the sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead. He also says this had been determined by Absalom from the day Amnon forced Tamar. That tells me Absalom's hatred had been sitting there for two years, waiting for the right time to strike.

"Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead."

(2 Samuel 13:33)

Jonadab tells David not to believe the full report. All the sons are not dead. Only Amnon is dead. That brings some relief, but it does not remove the sorrow. One son is murdered. Another son is guilty. Tamar remains wounded. David's house is broken.