Why did Absalom ask David to send Amnon to the sheep-shearing feast?

Absalom’s invitation sounded friendly, but his real purpose was hidden. On the surface, he invited the king and his brothers to a feast, which was a normal time of joy and generosity. When David refused to come, Absalom pushed for Amnon to be sent instead. Absalom had been angry ever since Amnon forced his sister Tamar. Because David had not punished Amnon, Absalom decided to take matters into his own hands. The feast gave him the perfect setting to get Amnon alone and carry out his revenge.

What is the meaning of Absalom’s command to kill Amnon when his heart was merry with wine?

Absalom told his servants to watch for the moment when Amnon’s heart was “merry with wine,” meaning when Amnon was relaxed and off guard from drinking. Absalom wanted Amnon to be defenseless so the servants would face no resistance. He also tried to calm their fear by saying he had commanded it and urging them to be courageous. This shows how cold and planned his revenge was. Instead of leaving judgment to God or to rightful authority, Absalom chose a sneaky and violent way to settle the wrong against Tamar.

How did David react when he first heard the report about his sons?

When David first heard that Absalom had killed all his sons, he was crushed. He tore his clothes and fell to the ground, which was a common way to show deep grief and shock. His servants also tore their clothes and stood by him in sorrow. At that moment David believed he had lost all his sons at once. This shows the heavy pain that falls on him as a father, and how the sins in his family have led to fear, confusion, and heartbreaking news.

Who is Jonadab in this passage, and what does he tell David?

Jonadab is described as the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, so he is David’s nephew. Earlier he had been close to Amnon, and here he seems to know about Absalom’s plan. When David hears the first report that all his sons are dead, Jonadab corrects it. He tells the king that only Amnon is dead and that this had been Absalom’s intention ever since Amnon forced Tamar. Jonadab’s words calm David somewhat, but they also reveal that people around the king knew more about the evil plans than they had admitted.

Why did Absalom flee to Geshur after killing Amnon?

After Amnon was killed, Absalom fled because he knew he had taken his brother’s life and could face judgment and death himself. He went to Geshur, to Talmai son of Ammihud, who was a king there and also related to him. By leaving the land, Absalom stayed out of David’s reach for three years. His flight shows that, even though he felt justified in avenging Tamar, he understood that what he had done was murder and that he could not safely remain near his father’s court.

What do these events show about the consequences of sin in David’s family?

This passage shows how one sin leads to another when it is not faced in a right way. Amnon’s sin against Tamar is not punished by David, and that failure opens the door for Absalom’s hatred to grow into murder. David then suffers the loss of one son and separation from another. The family is full of fear, lies, and running away instead of truth and healing. It shows that when serious wrongs are ignored, they do not simply fade; they often return in more painful and damaging ways.

Why did David mourn every day yet still long for Absalom later?

David mourned every day for his dead son Amnon, showing that, despite Amnon’s terrible sin, he still loved him as a father. At the same time, Absalom, who had killed Amnon, was gone in Geshur for three years. Over time, David’s sharp grief for Amnon softened, and his heart began to long for Absalom. This shows the pull between justice and mercy in a parent’s heart. David knew what Absalom had done, but he still desired his son’s return and some kind of restored relationship.

How can this passage about Absalom and Amnon apply to family conflict today?

This passage warns about what happens when serious wrongs in a family are hidden or ignored. When Amnon’s sin against Tamar was not dealt with, Absalom held his anger inside for years, and it turned into murder. Today, this reminds us not to let bitterness grow. Wrongs need to be faced honestly, with fair consequences and a desire for healing. It also shows that revenge only adds more pain. Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we should seek just and peaceful ways to address hurt, asking God for help to forgive.

2Sam.13.24

2 Samuel 13:24

KJV

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.

Absalom’s Revenge on Amnon

¶ 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.

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.

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.

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?

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

¶ 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.

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.

¶ 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.

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

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.

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.

But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.

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

So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

Cross References

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