ABSALOM KILLS AMNON
chapter 13
23. 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.
24. Absalom went to the king and said, "Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?"
25. "No, my son," the king replied. "All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you." Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.
26. Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us." The king asked him, "Why should he go with you?"
27. But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.
28. Absalom ordered his men, "Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ’Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave."
29. So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.
30. While they were on their way, the report came to David: "Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left."
31. The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.
32. But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, "My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
33. My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead."
34. Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, "I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill."
35. Jonadab said to the king, "See, the king’s sons have come; it has happened just as your servant said."
36. As he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his attendants wept very bitterly.
37. Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.
38. After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years.
39. And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.
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2 Samuel 13:23-392 Samuel Lesson 15 (2023)
ABSALOM KILLS AMNON
(2 Samuel 13:23-39)
Open it:
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What are the pitfalls of taking justice into our own hands?
Explore it:
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Read verses 23-27. How long did Absalom harbor a grudge against Amnon? For what occasion did Absalom invite king David and all his officials? What should have alerted David that Absalom’s motives for holding the feast were less than pure?
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Read verses 28-33. What order did Absalom give to his men concerning his brother Amnon? How did David’s other sons react when Amnon was murdered? What might we surmise about Jonadab’s involvement in the second part of the Amnon/Tamar incident?
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Read verses 34-36. What did Absalom do after the murder of Amnon? How did David learn that Jonadab’s version of events was true? What was the mood among David and his sons and servants following the news of Amnon’s murder? (36)
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Read verses 37-39. Why did Absalom go into self-imposed exile? How did David view what had transpired between his sons? What did David want to do more than anything once the incident was passed? What did it mean that David was “consoled concerning Amon’s death”?
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Why do you suppose David was hesitant to speak to either Amnon concerning his sexual sin or Absalom when he contracted murder? Why is enmity and injury between family members so painful for everyone involved? What does it take to keep good relationships between family members?
Apply it:
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What would be a constructive way to express anger toward someone you love?