Study Desk

Two years later Absalom had some men come to Baal Hazor, near Ephraim, to cut the wool from his sheep. Absalom invited all the king's sons to come also.

King David said to Absalom, "No, my son. We won't all go, because it would be too much trouble for you." Although Absalom begged David, he would not go, but he did give his blessing.

Then Absalom instructed his servants, "Watch Amnon. When he is drunk, I will tell you, ‘Kill Amnon.' Right then, kill him! Don't be afraid, because I have commanded you! Be strong and brave!"

King David tore his clothes and lay on the ground to show his sadness. All his servants standing nearby tore their clothes also.

Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, said to David, "Don't think all the young men, your sons, are killed. No, only Amnon is dead! Absalom has planned this ever since Amnon forced his sister Tamar to have sexual relations with him.

As soon as Jonadab had said this, the king's sons arrived, crying loudly. David and all his servants began crying also.

David cried for his son every day. But Absalom ran away to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur.

Now all the family group is against me. They said to me, ‘Bring the son who killed his brother so we may kill him for killing his brother. That way we will also get rid of the one who would receive what belonged to his father.' My son is like the last spark of a fire. He is all I have left. If they kill him, my husband's name and property will be gone from the earth."

The woman said, "Please promise in the name of the Lord your God. Then my relative who has the duty of punishing a murderer won't add to the destruction by killing my son." David said, "As surely as the Lord lives, no one will hurt your son. Not one hair from his head will fall to the ground."

But King David said, "Absalom must go to his own house. He may not come to see me." So Absalom went to his own house and did not go to see the king.

Absalom was greatly praised for his handsome appearance. No man in Israel was as handsome as he. No blemish was on him from his head to his foot.

At the end of every year, Absalom would cut his hair, because it became too heavy. When he weighed it, it would weigh about five pounds by the royal measure.

Absalom had three sons and one daughter. His daughter's name was also Tamar, and she was a beautiful woman.

Then Absalom said to his servants, "Look, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley growing there. Go burn it." So Absalom's servants set fire to Joab's field.

People would come near Absalom to bow to him. When they did, Absalom would reach out his hand and take hold of them and kiss them.

While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of the people who advised David, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So Absalom's plans were working very well. More and more people began to support him.

Then David said to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem, "We must leave quickly! If we don't, we won't be able to get away from Absalom. We must hurry before he catches us and destroys us and kills the people of Jerusalem."

The king set out with everyone in his house, but he left ten slave women to take care of the palace.

The king left with all his people following him, and they stopped at a house far away.

David said to Ittai, "Go, march on." So Ittai from Gath and all his people with their children marched on.