Study Desk

Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, "Absalom has struck and killed all the king's sons, and not one of them is left."

Then the king stood up, ^(C1)tore his clothes, and ^(C2)lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn.

^(C1)And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, ^(F1)responded, "Let my lord not ^(F2)assume that they have put to death all the young men, the king's sons, for only Amnon is dead; because this has been set up by the ^(F3)intent of Absalom since the day that he violated his sister Tamar.

"So now, may my lord the king not ^(C1)take the report to ^(F1)heart, ^(F2)claiming, 'all the king's sons are dead'; but only Amnon is dead."

Now ^(C1)Absalom had fled. And ^(C2)the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain.

And Jonadab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons have come; so it has happened according to your servant's word."

As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and raised their voices and wept; and the king and all his servants also wept ^(F1)very profusely.

Now ^(C1)Absalom had fled and gone to ^(C2)Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of ^(C3)Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.