2 Samuel 13:23-39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:21-29

What Solomon says of the beginning of strife is as true of the beginning of all sin, it is as the letting forth of water; when once the flood-gates are plucked up, an inundation follows; one mischief begets another, and it is hard to say what shall be in the end thereof. I. We are here told how David resented the tidings of Amnon's sin: He was very wroth, 2 Sam. 13:21. So he had reason to be, that his own son should do such a wicked thing and draw him to be accessory to it. It would be a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:30-39

Here is, I. The fright that David was put into by a false report brought to Jerusalem that Absalom had slain all the king's sons, 2 Sam. 13:30. It is common for fame to make bad worse; and the first news of such a thing as this represents it as more dreadful than afterwards it proves. Let us not therefore be afraid of evil tidings, while they want confirmation, but, when we hear the worst, hope the best, at least hope better. However, this false news gave as much affliction to David, for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:23

And it came to pass after two full years ,.... Two complete years after the rape was committed; so long Absalom kept it in his mind, and was contriving how to avenge it; he let it alone so long, that it might be thought by the king and Amnon, and all the family, that it was quite worn out of his mind, and entirely forgotten by him, and therefore might the more safely confide in him: that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim ; though a prince, the son of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:24

And Absalom came to the king ,.... At Jerusalem, to invite him in person: and said, behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers ; persons employed in shearing his sheep: and this being a time of entertainment and joy: let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants, go with thy servant ; he invited the king and the whole royal family to go with him to Baalhazor, and partake of the sheepshearing feast; for by "his servants" are not meant the king's domestic servants, his guard and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:25

And the king said to Absalom, nay, my son, let us not all now go ,.... He did not object to the invitation entirely, he was willing some of the family should go, but not all; it seems probable that he particularly excepted himself and his eldest son, the heir to his crown, for the reason following: lest we be chargeable unto thee ; one or two persons more, supposing them to be private persons, would have added but little to the expense, if any; but as David was a king, he must have come... read more

John Gill

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

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