Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 13:30
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
30 39. The news brought to David. Absalom’s flight
31. tare his garments ] Rent his clothes. The E. V. has introduced a distinction which does not exist in the Hebrew. Cp. ch. 2Sa 1:11.
lay on the earth ] Cp. ch. 2Sa 12:16.
and all his servants, &c.] The Sept. and Vulg. represent a slightly different reading; “And all his servants, who stood by him, rent their clothes.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2Sa 13:30-37
Absalom hath slain all the kings sons.
Chastisement
The fulfilment of the curse on Davids house now begun.
I. Observe the justice of Gods dealings in chastisement. A comparison of Davids sin and its punishment shows that free forgiveness does not remove consequences in this life.
1. David had wounded Uriah in his best affections. He himself was allowed to suffer the keenest sorrow through the son he best loved.
2. He had to see the evil heritage of lust develope in that favourite child.
3. He took the one ewe lamb. Absalom stole the hearts of all Israel.
4. David made Joab his tool to carry out his treachery. Henceforth he was Joabs tool, obliged to bear with him, and leave his punishment to Solomon.
II. Sin had weakened his power. He no longer possessed the respect of the nation. The reins of government were dropping from his hands. Yet he recognised love in it all, and God meant it in love. (R. E. Faulkner.)
.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 30. Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons] Fame never lessens but always magnifies a fact. Report, contrary to the nature of all other things, gains strength by going.
Virgil has given, in his best manner, a fine personification of Fame or Evil Report. – AEN. iv., 173.
Extemplo Libyae magnas it Fama per urbes;
Fama, malum qua non aliud velocius ullum,
Mobilitate viget, viresque adquirit eundo, c.
“Now Fame, tremendous fiend! without delay,
Through Libyan cities took her rapid way
Fame, the swift plague, that every moment grows,
And gains new strength and vigour as she goes,” &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Which was not improbable, when the sword was once drawn among them, and one of them killed, which might provoke the rest to draw their swords, both to defend themselves, and to revenge their brothers death, and thereby occasion the death of all. And God suffered this false report to be spread for Davids greater terror and humiliation, that he who had formerly rejoiced in the tidings of Uriahs death, might now be tormented with the report of the death of all his sons.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
30, 31. tidings came to David,saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sonsIt was naturalthat in the consternation and tumult caused by so atrocious a deed,an exaggerated report should reach the court, which was at onceplunged into the depths of grief and despair. But the information ofJonadab, who seems to have been aware of the plan, and the arrival ofthe other princes, made known the real extent of the catastrophe.
2Sa13:37-39. ABSALOMFLEES TO TALMAI.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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, that David, that rejoiced at the news of the death of Uriah, might be terrified with the tidings of the death of all his sons; and for a while it was as if it was really so, which occasioned the following behaviour in him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| Amnon’s Death; Absalom’s Flight. | B. C. 1032. |
30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left. 31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. 34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him. 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. 36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
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, v. 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 present, as if it had been true; he tore his garments, and lay on the earth, while as yet it was only a flying story, v. 31. It was well that David had grace; he had need enough of it, for he had strong passions.
II. The rectifying of the mistake in two ways:– 1. By the sly suggestions of Jonadab, David’s nephew, who could tell him, Amnon only is dead, and not all the king’s sons (2Sa 13:32; 2Sa 13:33), and could tell him too that it was done by the appointment of Absalom, and designed from the day Amnon forced his sister Tamar. What a wicked man was he, if he knew all this or had any cause to suspect it, that he did not make David acquainted with it sooner, that means might be used to make up the quarrel, or at least that David might not throw Amnon into the mouth of danger by letting him go to Absalom’s house. If we do not our utmost to prevent mischief, we make ourselves accessory to it. If we say, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider whether we did or no? See Pro 24:11; Pro 24:12. It is well if Jonadab was not as guilty of Amnon’s death as he was of his sin; such friends do those prove who are hearkened to as counsellors to do wickedly: he that would not be so kind as to prevent Amnon’s sin would not be so kind as to prevent his ruin, when, it should seem, he might have done both. 2. By the safe return of all the king’s sons except Amnon. They and their attendants were speedily discovered by the watch (2Sa 13:34; 2Sa 13:35), and soon arrived, to show themselves alive, but to bring the certain sad news that Absalom had murdered their brother Amnon. The grief David had been in for that which was not made him the better able to bear that which was, by giving him a sensible occasion, when he was undeceived, to thank God that all his sons were not dead: yet that Amnon was dead, and slain by his own brother is such a treacherous barbarous manner, was enough to put the king and court, the king and kingdom, into real mourning. Sorrow is never more reasonable than when there is sin in the case.
III. Absalom’s flight from justice: Absalom immediately fled, v. 34. He was now as much afraid of the king’s sons as they were of him; they fled from his malice, he from their justice. No part of the land of Israel could shelter him. The cities of refuge gave no protection to a wilful murderer. Though David had let Amnon’s incest go unpunished, Absalom could not promise himself his pardon for this murder; so express was the law in this case, and so well known David’s justice, and his dread of blood-guiltiness. He therefore made the best of his way to his mother’s relations, and was entertained by his grandfather Talmai, king of Geshur (v. 37), and there he was protected three years (v. 38), David not demanding him, and Talmai not thinking himself obliged to send him back unless he were demanded.
IV. David’s uneasiness for his absence. He mourned for Amnon a good while (v. 37), but, he being past recall, time wore off that grief: he was comforted concerning Amnon. It also wore off too much his detestation of Absalom’s sin; instead of loathing him as a murderer, he longs to go forth to him, v. 39. At first he could not find in his heart to do justice on him; now he can almost find in his heart to take him into his favour again. This was David’s infirmity. Something God saw in his heart that made a difference, else we should have thought that he, as much as Eli, honoured his sons more than God.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
David’s Third Payment, vs. 30-39
Somehow the news of Amnon’s assassination reached Jerusalem before the arrival of the frightened princes. One suspects the complicity of the wicked Jonadab, David’s nephew. He was an aboutface turncoat, first the companion of Amnon in his evil deed, then turned against him to the aid of the conniving Absalom. It almost looks as though he was a plant in the palace to speak for Absalom. He was aware of Absalom’s plans and quickly reassured David when the report came that all the princes were slain. How did he know this? and who planted the report that they were killed? Could it not have been a part of the overall plot of Absalom and Jonadab?
The news was very distressing to David. One of his sons had followed in his footsteps and like him had proved the truth that, “Lust when it is conceived brings sin, and sin when finished brings death,” (Jas 1:15). In the death of his oldest son David made another payment in the fourfold repayment for taking the “poor man’s ewe lamb.” The whole court was distressed and with the king rent their garments.
Soon the princes and their retinue began arriving back in the capital, proving the accuracy of Jonadab’s words. Their anguish and grief added to that of king and courtiers, as they wept and mourned loudly in the custom of people of the east.
Absalom had fled from the land to the kingdom of Geshur where his maternal grandfather reigned. Geshur was northwest of the Sea of Chinnereth, or Galilee. It should have been possessed by the Israelites in their conquest, but they had neglected to do so (Jos 13:13; cf. 1Ch 2:23). David mourned for Absalom every day, for that young man seems to have had a special place in David’s heart. But he did not recall him, and he remained in Geshur for three years. On the other hand the king was comforted concerning the death of Amnon, probably judging that justice had been wrought against him in spite of David’s own vacillation in regard to the rape of Tamar.
Points to note: 1) Lack of self-control has led to the ruin of many lives, of guilty and of innocent; 2) Satan adopts what seem innocent schemes to destroy the unwary; 3) sadism and cruelty are the work of those possessed of the Devil; 4) judgment for sin may come in many ways in life, but its worst comes after death; 5) one sin cannot be appeased by the commission of another.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Absalom Flees to Talmai. 2Sa. 13:30-39
30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the kings sons, and there is not one of them left.
31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah Davids brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the kings sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the kings sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hillside behind him.
35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the kings sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the kings sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
22.
Why did anyone think that all had been killed? 2Sa. 13:30
Rumor exaggerated the calamity. Confusion reigned at the feast; and by the time word got to David, twenty miles away, the report was made that Absalom had killed all the kings sons. Such catastrophic news left the king in deep mourning. Like Tamar, David tore his garments and lay on the earth. He was brought low, as he was when his son died. The servants stood by helplessly in a similarly bereaved condition.
23.
How did Jonadab know the truth? 2Sa. 13:32-33
Jonadab was deeply involved since he had helped Amnon in the original plot. He may have heard expressions from Absaloms lips which made him certain of how the matter stood. He knew that murder was committed according to the orders given by Absalom. He did not imply by his report that Absalom had, from the first, avowed his purpose of killing Amnon. As matters had developed, the conclusion was reached by an observant man like Jonadab, and he was correct in what he had surmised.
24.
Why would David take the thing to his heart? 2Sa. 13:33
David might well be expected to blame himself for what had happened. Jonadab was anxious, however, that David know the truth. Only Amnon was dead. It is easy to see that Davids punishment for his own sin in slaying Uriah is increasing. David was not able to punish Amnon; therefore a double punishment comes on him for his own sin. His son born to Bathsheba died in infancy, and his heir to the throne was killed by another of Davids sons.
25.
Why did Absalom flee to Talmai? 2Sa. 13:37
In 2Sa. 3:3 is the note: (speaking of Davids sons) . . . and the third, Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. Absalom fled to the home of his mothers father, his maternal grandfather. Here he hoped to find protection against any punishment David might seek to mete out to him.
26.
What did David do after Absalom fled? 2Sa. 13:39
David did not send messengers to bring Absalom back; he did not take any overt action. He longed to go forth himself to Absalom. The verb is in a feminine form, to indicate that Davids spirit, or his soul, longed to go forth; and the King James translators rightfully show the insertion of the phrase, the soul of, in italics, meaning that they supplied this subject of the verb. He wanted to do something. He pined away over it, but he did not do anything immediately.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(30) There is not one of them left.The story of this exaggerated report, so true to the life, indicates contemporaneous authorship.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. Tidings came Some excited person, seeing Amnon fall, and expecting that all the other sons would share the same fate, ran to Jerusalem at once to bear the awful news.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(30) And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left. (31) Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
Reader! remark the Lord’s hand in this distress of David. Thus, like the former, was evil raised, as the Lord had said, out of his own house.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 13:30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
Ver. 30. Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons.] Rumour is a loud liar, like a snowball that gathereth as it goeth,
“ Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo. ” – Virgil.
Thales the Milesian being asked how far truth differeth from a lie, answered, As far as the eyes are distant from the ears: intimating, that there is little trust to be given to tales and reports, further than a man is an eye-witness of what he hath by hearsay. Meanwhile David, as he took on more than needed, so by this false report he was the better prepared to bear the loss of Amnon only, seeing the rest of his sons were in safety.
And there is not one of them left.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: Jdg 11:35 – rent his clothes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The aftermath of Amnon’s murder 13:30-39
The writer may have devoted so much text to straightening out the rumor that Absalom had killed all the king’s sons in order to stress God’s mercy in not cutting off all of them. At first report, David probably thought God had judged him severely, but it became clear that God had been merciful. Jonadab may have been a member of David’s cabinet (2Sa 13:3). Evidently he and Absalom had hatched the conspiracy against Amnon to remove the heir apparent to the throne. [Note: Hill, p. 390.] Jonadab knew precisely what had happened.
Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather (2Sa 3:3) who lived in the kingdom of Geshur that lay northeast of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee). In this he followed the example of his ancestor Jacob who fled to Aramean kinsmen in the Northeast (Gen 28:10). [Note: Carlson, p. 164.] There he stayed for three years (until ca. 982 B.C.). This sets the scene for the next crisis in David’s family.
So far at least six consequences of David’s sins against Bathsheba and Uriah have surfaced (cf. 2Sa 12:10-11). First, the child that Bathsheba bore died. Second, Amnon raped Tamar. Third, Absalom broke off communication with his brother, Amnon. Fourth, Absalom murdered Amnon. Fifth, Absalom left the country and his family. Sixth, David had become an even more passive father. This family had become dysfunctional.
"Grace means that God, in forgiving you, does not kill you. Grace means that God, in forgiving you, gives you the strength to endure the consequences. Grace frees us so that we can obey our Lord. It does not mean sin’s consequences are automatically removed. If I sin and in the process of sinning break my arm, when I find forgiveness from sin, I still have to deal with a broken arm." [Note: Swindoll, p. 211.]
"When David sowed to the flesh, he reaped what the flesh produced. Moreover, he reaped the consequences of his actions even though he had confessed his sin and been forgiven for it. Underline it, star it, mark it deeply upon your conscious mind: Confession and forgiveness in no way stop the harvest. He had sown; he was to reap. Forgiven he was, but the consequences continued. This is exactly the emphasis Paul is giving the Galatians even in this age of grace [Gal 6:7]. We are not to be deceived, for God will not be mocked. What we sow we will reap, and there are no exceptions." [Note: John W. Lawrence, Life’s Choices, p. 39.]
More Christians have probably memorized 1Jn 1:9 than Rom 6:12-13. 1Jn 1:9 deals with how to handle sin after we have committed it; it is corrective theology. Rom 6:12-13 deals with how to handle sin before we commit it; it is preventive theology. We need to pay more attention to Rom 6:12-13. One of the purposes of 2 Samuel 13 is to help the reader prevent this type of sin, rather than to help us to recover from it, having fallen. It is a strong warning against letting our passions lead us, because of the consequences that will follow.