Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 13:26
Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
26. let my brother Amnon go ] If David would not go himself, at least he might send his eldest son as his representative. David’s reluctance to consent shews that he felt some misgivings that Absalom had not forgiven Amnon.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He mentions Amnon as being the kings first-born. If he could not have the kings company, let him at least have that of the heir apparent, and the kings other sons.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. Let my brother Amnon go] He urged this with the more plausibility, because Amnon was the first-born, and presumptive heir to the kingdom; and he had disguised his resentment so well before, that he was not suspected.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Let my brother Amnon go with us; for the king designed (as the following words show) to keep him at home with him, as being his eldest son, and heir of his kingdom; otherwise Absalom would never have made particular mention of him, which now he was forced to do. Nor did this desire of Amnons presence want specious pretences, as that seeing the king would not, he who was next to him might, honour him with his company; and that this might be a manifest and public token of that love and friendship which was between him and his brother, notwithstanding the former occasion of difference
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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:
and the king said unto him, why should he go with thee? he particularly, he more than any other; David seems to have suspected some design, and it is strange he should not; and yet if he had, it is much, notwithstanding the pressing arguments used, he should let him go; or he might think it would be more expensive to have him than the rest, and therefore asks why he should desire his company above all others.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Then Absalom said, “And not (i.e., if thou doest not go), may my brother Amnon go with me?” The king would not give his consent to this; whether from suspicion cannot be determined with certainty, as he eventually yielded to Absalom’s entreaties and let Amnon and all the other king’s sons go. From the length of time that had elapsed since Amnon’s crime was committed, without Absalom showing any wish for revenge, David might have felt quite sure that he had nothing more to fear. But this long postponement of revenge, for the purpose of carrying it out with all the more certainty, is quite in the spirit of the East.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(26) If not . . . let . . . Amnon.Absalom then asks that if the king himself will not come, Amnon, as his eldest son and heir-apparent, may represent him at the feast. David hesitates, but as he could not well refuse without acknowledging a suspicion which he was unwilling to express, he finally consents.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Why should he go David suspected some evil, for he had reason to fear the existence in Absalom’s heart of deadly enmity towards Amnon.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Sa 13:26. I pray thee let my brother Amnon go with us As heir presumptive to the crown, Amnon might represent the king; and it was probably upon this pretence that Absalom was so pressing for his attendance.
REFLECTIONS.Such a transaction as this of Amnon’s could not be concealed.
1. David heard of it, and very wroth he was; yet, instead of punishing this rape and incest with death, as it deserved, he spared his son; but God will not; vengeance shall overtake him. Note; Over-indulgent parents, by their sinful lenity, make a severe scourge for themselves.
2. Absalom, though silent, entertains deep-rooted vengeance in his bosom. He saw, probably, that to seek for justice were vain; or he desired the malicious gratification of being his own avenger. Two long years he waited opportunity, whilst the civility of his carriage, and his taking no notice of the rape, had now removed all suspicion of the sanguinary revenge that he meditated in his heart. But now the day approaches for the accomplishment of his dark design, a festal day, when, on shearing his sheep, he invited the king and his family to grace his entertainment at Baal-hazor: and when his father, fearing it would be too expensive and burdensome to him if they all went, excused himself, thanked him for his kindness, and gave him his paternal benediction, he presses him at least to send his brethren, and Amnon in particular, as the most honourable. David with reluctance, at his importunity, complies; and Amnon, unsuspicious of the plot, goes with his brethren to the feast. Note; (1.) The longer hatred is smothered, the fiercer it burns; and when it finds the moment for revenge, the deeper it strikes. (2.) Many are over-generous in their invitations, and consider not the expence of their entertainments, till the pressures of poverty make them smart for their extravagance.
3. The festal board is spread, the glass goes round, and Amnon, flushed with wine, little suspects the sword that hangs over him. The signal is given, which had before been concerted between Absalom and his servants; they suddenly rush into the room, and lay Amnon dead at their feet. Such were their master’s guilty commands, and they judge this sufficient to authorise them; while he, who, as next heir to the crown, would be able to protect them, encourages them not to startle at the bloody work, but courageously execute his orders. Hereupon all the king’s sons fled, fearing lest the same fate should overtake them. Note; (1.) To die in a state of drunkenness is very terrible. (2.) The fear of man is usually stronger than the fear of God; and many dare not dispute the commands of a master, though at the hazard of their eternal damnation. (3.) It was just in God to permit the death of Amnon, though wicked in Absalom to assassinate him. When sinners execute God’s designs, they mean no such thing; but, while instruments of his vengeance, fill up the measure of their own iniquities.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
Ver. 26. If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go. ] Who, being thine eldest, may represent thy person there. Here was a fair glove drawn upon a foul hand: by courtesy he seeketh to cover his bloody design.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
let my brother: He urged this with the more plausibility because Amnon was the first-born, and presumptive heir to the crown; and he had dissembled his resentment so long and so well that he was not suspected. 2Sa 3:27, 2Sa 11:13-15, 2Sa 20:9, Psa 55:21
Reciprocal: Gen 4:8 – talked Pro 23:7 – Eat Dan 11:27 – shall be to Hab 2:15 – unto Jam 3:6 – a world
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 13:26. Let my brother Amnon go with us That is, with him and the rest of his brethren, as appears from the following verse. David designed, it seems, to keep him at home with him, as being his eldest son, and heir of his kingdom; otherwise Absalom would never have made particular mention of him, which, in consequence of what the king said, he was now forced to do. Nor did Absaloms desire of Amnons company want specious pretences, as that, seeing the king would not, he who was next to the king in dignity might honour him with his presence; and that this might be a public token of friendship between him and his brother, not withstanding the former occasion of difference.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother {l} Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
{l} Pretending to the king that Amnon was most dear to him.