Study Desk

His court officials went to him and tried to make him get up, but he refused and would not eat anything with them.

"We don't understand this," his officials said to him. "While the child was alive, you wept for him and would not eat; but as soon as he died, you got up and ate!"

But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Could I bring the child back to life? I will some day go to where he is, but he can never come back to me."

But he had a friend, a very shrewd man named Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shammah.

and emptied them out of the pan for him to eat, but he wouldn't. He said, "Send everyone away"—and they all left.

But he would not listen to her; and since he was stronger than she was, he overpowered her and raped her.

"No," she answered. "To send me away like this is a greater crime than what you just did!" But Amnon would not listen to her;

"No, my son," the king answered. "It would be too much trouble for you if we all went." Absalom insisted, but the king would not give in, and he asked Absalom to leave.

But Absalom said, "Well, then, will you at least let my brother Amnon come?" "Why should he?" the king asked.

But Absalom kept on insisting until David finally let Amnon and all his other sons go with Absalom. Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king

But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shammah, said, "Your Majesty, they haven't killed all your sons. Only Amnon is dead. You could tell by looking at Absalom that he had made up his mind to do this from the time that Amnon raped his sister Tamar.

but when he got over Amnon's death, he was filled with longing for his son Absalom.

We will all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which can't be gathered again. Even God does not bring the dead back to life, but the king can at least find a way to bring a man back from exile.

But he did it in order to straighten out this whole matter. Your Majesty is as wise as the angel of God and knows everything that happens."

Then he sent for Joab, to ask him to go to the king for him; but Joab would not come. Again Absalom sent for him, and again Joab refused to come.

Absalom would say, "Look, the law is on your side, but there is no representative of the king to hear your case."

But he sent messengers to all the tribes of Israel to say, "When you hear the sound of trumpets, shout, ‘Absalom has become king at Hebron!'"

But Ittai answered, "Your Majesty, I swear to you in the Lord 's name that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death."

But if he isn't pleased with me—well, then, let him do to me what he wishes."

but you can help me by returning to the city and telling Absalom that you will now serve him as faithfully as you served his father. And do all you can to oppose any advice that Ahithophel gives.