2 Samuel 13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:26

Then said Absalom, if not ,.... If it is not thy pleasure to go with me, if I cannot have the honour of thy company: I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us ; let me have the next mark of honour that can be given me, the presence of the king's eldest son, and heir to the crown; he seems to express affection for him, and a particular desire of his company, as if all ill will towards him was removed from him, and this would be a public declaration of reconciliation between them: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:27

But Absalom pressed him ,.... Which one would think would have increased his suspicion, if he had any, or have raised it in him; but his mind was blinded, that Amnon's incest might be punished and the threatening to David and his house be fulfilled on account of the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba: that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him ; if he had any suspicion at all, he might choose they should all go, that they might protect and defend him, if any attempt was made upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:28

Now Absalom had commanded his servants ,.... Before he and his guests were set down to the entertainment: saying, mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine ; as he was determined to make him if possible, and as he supposed he would be, knowing his inclination to drink: and when I say unto you, smite Amnon, then kill him ; smite him that he die, and be sure he is dead before you leave him: fear not, have not I commanded you ? who am your lord, the king's son, and will then... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:29

And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded ,.... They smote him, and killed him, when he gave the word: then all the king's sons arose ; from the feast, imagining they were all designed to be slain: and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled ; creatures much used in Judea instead of horses, which, though they might not be bred, might be used F15 Vid. Misn. Celaim, c. 8. sect. 1. . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30

And it came to pass while they were in the way ,.... On their road homewards, before they got to Jerusalem: that tidings came to David ; perhaps brought by one who was at the entertainment, who upon seeing Amnon smitten, immediately rose up and fled with the news of it to David: saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left ; which he might suppose was the design of Absalom, and was done before that time; however, so it was ordered in Providence,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:31

Then the king arose, and tore his garments ,.... In token of extreme grief and sorrow, as Jacob did when he was shown the coat of Joseph, supposing him to have been slain, as David thought all his sons were, Genesis 37:34 , and lay on the earth ; on the bare ground, another token of mourning; so Job did on hearing the death of his sons, Job 1:20 , and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent : did as David did, in imitation of him, joining with him in expressions of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:32

And Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother ,.... The same that advised Amnon to feign himself sick, to get Tamar sent to him, that he might enjoy her, 2 Samuel 13:3 , answered and said ; said in answer to the report brought to the king, which threw him into such an agony: let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons ; he did not believe it himself, and would not have the king entertain such a thought, and distress himself with it: for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:33

Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart ,.... Neither suppose it, nor be troubled for it: to think that all the king's sons are dead : which was not to be thought, nor could any good reason be given for such a supposition for Amnon only is dead ; he repeats it again with great assurance, which seems to confirm the suspicion of him before suggested; though some think he said this not from certain knowledge, but by conjecture. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:34

But Absalom fled ,.... He who promised his servants protection could not protect himself, and who no doubt fled with him; he knew what he had done was death by law, and that there was no city of refuge for such sort of murder as this, and he had no reason to hope the king would suffer so foul a crime as this to pass unpunished: and the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked : to the way that led from Absalom's house to Jerusalem, to see if he could spy any other... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:35

And Jonadab said to the king, behold, the king's sons come ,.... For as they came nearer, it was plainly discovered that they were the king's sons, seen on the side of the hill: as thy servant said, so it is ; he seems to applaud himself, and exult at his penetration and foresight. read more

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