Absalom Murders His Brother

Topic: Murder
Passage: 2 Samuel 13:23–33

August 21, 2020

Commentary

Two years after Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom the brother of Amnon decides it is the right time to get revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar (vv. 23-24). He chooses the season of sheepshearing as a suitable backdrop for the murder of his brother Amnon. Absalom invites the king, with all his sons and officials to join in a celebration of mutual prosperity. David declines the invitation thinking it would be too big a burden for Absalom (v. 25). Absalom then requests that Amnon alone be allowed to come (v. 26), but David questions why he should go. Absalom’s urging is successful and the indecisive king not only allows his son Amnon to go but also sends the rest of his sons along with him (v. 27).

Encouraged by his increasing success, Absalom commands his servants to serve wine to Ammon until he is drunk and then strike him and kill him (v. 28). The servants did to Amnon as Absalom  had commanded, and then all the kings sons who were panic stricken arose, got on their mules and fled (v. 29). David’s adultery with Bathsheba is mirrored in his son Amnon’s rape of Tamar, and David’s murder of Uriah is repeated in Absalom’s execution of Amnon. While they were on their way a false report reached David, that “all the king’s sons had been killed by Absalom (v. 30). David tears his clothes as a sign of mourning and his servants dutifully do the same (v. 31). The false report is quickly challenged by Jonadab as he knows that only Amnon is dead (vv. 32-33).

Application

I pray that I will never be easily confused but solely trust in Christ and God’s Word in my decisions.

2 Samuel 13:23– 33 (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.”