2 Samuel 13
F.B. Meyer · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Samuel 13
Meyer - “They say a man never hears his own voice till it comes back to him from the phonograph. Certainly a man never sees the worst of himself until it reappears in his child.” Pulpit Commentary has an interesting note on David's failure to punish Amnon - It would have been wise to have given proof that his (David's) repentance (Psalm 51+) included the suppression of the crime to which his previous conduct had given encouragement. But David was a man whose conduct was generally governed by his feelings. He was a creature of warm and often generous impulse, but his character lacked the steadiness of thoughtful and consistent purpose. TSK Note - The Septuagint and Vulgate add, "But he would not grieve the soul of Amnon his son, for he loved him because he was his first-born." The same addition is found in Josephus; and it is probable (possible) that it once formed a part of the Hebrew text. 2 Samuel 13:22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar. did not speak: Lev 19:17,18 Pr 25:9 Mt 18:15 good: Ge 24:50 31:24,29 hated: Lev 19:17,18 Pr 10:18 26:24 27:4-6 Ec 7:9 Eph 4:26,31 1Jn 3:15 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM & AMNON DO NOT SPEAK But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad - Essentially Absalom thereafter had no good or bad words for Amnon about his violation of Tamar. Speak...good or bad was a proverbial phrase meaning to speak nothing that is in opposition or which interferes with the other's affairs. Nevertheless, talk about some tense times at family dinners!!! for - Explains why Absalom never spoke to Amnon about these things. Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar - This is a sad verse. Hatred is sin and when it comes to full bloom can lead to murder, which is of course what transpired in the following verses. Jesus explained that hatred and anger in one's heart made them guilty of judgment for murder (Mt 5:21-22) Alexander Whyte in his study of Absalom writes "POLYGAMY is just Greek for a dunghill. David trampled down the first and the best law of nature in his palace in Jerusalem, and for his trouble he spent all his after-days in a hell upon earth. David’s palace was a perfect pandemonium of suspicion, and intrigue, and jealousy, and hatred—all breaking out, now into incest and now into murder. And it was in such a household, if such a cesspool could be called a household, that Absalom, David’s third son by his third living wife, was born and brought up. But be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a patriarch, or a prophet, or a psalmist soweth, that shall he also reap. For he, saint or sinner, that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. (See full study below) J D Greear brings this sad story home to all Christian men - David’s family is in shambles at this point, but each successive tragedy is preventable. Had David been more involved, he could have prevented Amnon from acting on his perverse desires. Had David gone to Tamar after her assault, he could have prevented Absalom from avenging his sister’s death. Even now, with all this death and destruction in the rear view, David could still stem further damage. If he would reach out to Absalom, he could prevent him from descending further into darkness. Sadly, once again, David does nothing. The greatest temptation men face, then as now, is not to outright wickedness but to the smoother—and equally destructive—path of apathy and inaction. When we look around at the family situation in the United States today, we are grieved by the failure of fathers to fulfill the role God has given them. In some instances this manifests in outright abuse. But far more often it manifests in absent dads, men who would rather know what is happening on ESPN than in the lives of their sons and daughters. Were most of the men in our churches to show the same level of apathy in their jobs as they do in their home lives, they would have been fired long ago. (Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel) 2 Samuel 13:23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. sheepshearers: Ge 38:12,13 1Sa 25:2,4,36 2Ki 3:4 2Ch 26:10 invited: 1Ki 1:9,19,25 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Samuel 25:2,8+ (SHEEP SHEARING = FESTIVE TIME) Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel; and the man was very rich, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And it came about while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel....8 ‘Ask your young men and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you find at hand to your servants and to your son David.’” ABSALOM'S IS PATIENT IN PLANNING REVENGE Now it came about after two full years (Lit - years of days) - An important time phrase. Marks the occurrence of an event which would change the trajectory of David and several of his sons. Two years gives a grudge a long time to grow! The time phrase full years only occurs 5 times in the entir J D Greear points out that "Absalom decides he will take matters into his own hands. Amnon must die." He must have known Amnon might suspect violence initially, so instead of attacking Amnon in the immediate aftermath, he plans a scheme that will take a full two years. He believed back then what they say nowadays: revenge is a dish best served cold (ED: taking revenge at a later date is more satisfying that enacting it immediately. Taking revenge later means you have time to premeditate your revenge to perfection instead of acting in haste). But in the end the corrupt fruit was the same as if Absalom had assaulted Amnon the next day. (Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel) That Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons - Baal-hazor was about 15 miles north of Jerusalem and five miles northeast of Bethel, in a rugged part of the Central Hill Country. Sheep shearing time was often a time of joy and celebration (1Sa 25:8+), so Absalom plans a feast and invited all of David's sons including Amnon. Walton on sheep shearing - The wool industry was extremely important in the ancient Near East. For instance, a large percentage of the administrative tablets from the Sumerian city of Nippur deal with the wool industry and the wool trade. Sheep were sheared in the early summer, generally near sites associated with dyeing and weaving (for instance, a large quantity of loom weights was discovered at Timnah). Since this labor required large numbers of laborers, like the grain harvest, the burden was lightened by associating it with a holiday time as well (see 1Sa 25:7-8). (See page 341 IVP Background Commentary - OT) Baal-hazor - Means "having a courtyard" or "Baal's village," the place on the borders of Ephraim and Benjamin where Absalom held the feast of sheep-shearing when Amnon was assassinated (2 Sam. 13:23). Probably it is the same with Hazor (Neh. 11:33) The sheep-shearing was evidently the occasion of a festival which was attended by Absalom's brethren. Here Absalom murdered Amnon in revenge for the outrage upon his sister. 2 Samuel 13:24 Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant." let the king: 2Sa 11:8-15 Ps 12:2 55:21 Jer 41:6,7 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM EXTENDS INVITATION TO DAVID Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold now, your servant has sheep shearers (cutting the wool of his sheep); please let the king and his servants (retinue, officials, retainers) go with your servant - CSB and NLT poses this as a question "Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?" (2Sa 13:24CSB) Swindoll - Now if David had been on top of things in his own household, he would have known that Absalom had not spoken to Amnon for two years. He would also have been aware of the hatred brewing among his children. You’ve got to be rather thick as a father not to know that a son isn’t speaking to another son for two years. (Borrow David : a man of passion & destiny) 2 Samuel 13:25 But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you." Although he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. urged: Ge 19:2,3 Jdg 19:7-10 Lu 14:23 24:29 Ac 16:15 blessed: 2Sa 14:22 Ru 2:4 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID REFUSES TO GO OR BE PERSUADED BUT BLESSES But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome (kabod - heavy; katabaruno - overlad, weigh down) to you." - David turns down Absalom's invitation reasoning that they would all be too much of a burden to him. The implication is that the king's large retinue would result in too great of a financial burden for Absalom. Although he urged (pressed, was insistent) him, he would not (was not willing to) go, but blessed (barak; Lxx - eulogeo) him - David would not go but sent him away with a blessing, which has the idea of calling down God's gracious power on someone. Burdensome (glorify, to honor) (03513) kabad is a verb which means to weigh heavily, to be heavy (weighty, burdensome), to be honored, to be wealthy, to get honor, to make dull, to make hard, to multiply or make numerous. There are 2 literal uses of kabad describing Eli as heavy (1Sa 4:18) and Absalom's hair as heavy (2Sa 14:26). Most of the uses of kabad are figurative and most of these figurative uses in turn convey the sense of honor or glory (e.g., a “weighty” person in society is one who is honored or worthy of respect ["respected" = Ge 24:19].) 2 Samuel 13:26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" 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 11:13-15 20:9 Ps 55:21 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM SEEKS KING'S PERMISSION TO INVITE AMNON Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" - Can you sense David's apprehension in his question? NLT says "Why Amnon?" This is interesting for Absalom had said all the king's sons were invited. Apparently Amnon and Absalom had been estranged and had not had much (if any) communication for 2 years. So now Absalom seeks David's permission to allow Amnon to attend the feast. Presumably the "rift" between Absalom and Amnon was known to King David, but after 2 full years he seems to be convinced (even if slightly apprehensive) Absalom's house is safe for Amnon to visit. Undoubtedly, when Tamar was raped, David had expected Absalom to have an immediate outburst of anger, but is not as concerned now. Furthermore there is some guile in Absalom in that he invited all the sons and David, so David would be thinking surely Absalom had nothing but congenial feelings toward them all (including Amnon). 2 Samuel 13:27 But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. Absalom: Pr 26:24-26 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID ACQUIESCES TO ABSALOM'S URGING But - Apparently David was hesitant to let Amnon go but Absalom persisted. Clearly (from the context) Absalom had an ulterior motive which he essentially disguised. Proverbs says "He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart. Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly." (Pr 26:24-26) When Absalom urged (parats; Lxx - biazo) him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him - NLT = "Absalom kept on pressing the king until he finally agreed to let all his sons attend, including Amnon." (2Sa 13:27NLT) The NLT is a good paraphrase for the Hebrew (and Greek translations) do not describe a gentle urging, but a badgering, a brow beating, a forceful urging even with a sense of trying to intimidate. David’s children manipulated and intimidated him, and look at what happened. David was not firm and should have said "No!" Several versions follow the Septuagint rendering and add another clause - NRSV - "Absalom made a feast like a king's feast." (2Sa 13:27NRSV) NAB says "Absalom prepared a banquet fit for royalty." (2Sa 13:27NAB) Brian Bell - By ordering Tamar to obey her half brother’s wishes, he sent her into pain & humiliation By ordering Amnon to attend Absalom’s feast, hew sent his 1st born to his death. Urged (broke)(06555) parats means to break through; burst out (qal); to spread abroad (niphal); to be broken down (pual); break loose (hitpael). Parats is a word which speaks of power that sweeps all obstacles before it, effectively undermining and demolishing all that would resist it. Here in 2Sa 13:27 parats means to speak in a way to strongly encourage a particular type of behavior (1Sa 28:23; 2Sa 13:25, 27; 2Ki 5:23). The Septuagint translates parats in 2Sa 13:27 with a picturesque verb biazo (from bia = violence) which means to overpower, to apply force, to strongly urge or constrain. 2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant." commanded: 2Sa 11:15 Ex 1:16,17 1Sa 22:17,18 Ac 5:29 heart is merry: 2Sa 11:13 Ge 9:21 19:32-35 Jdg 19:6,9,22 Ru 3:7 1Sa 25:36-38 1Ki 20:16 Es 1:10 Ps 104:15 Ec 9:7 10:19 Da 5:2-6,30 Na 1:10 Lu 21:34 fear: Nu 22:16,17 1Sa 28:10,13 have I: Jos 1:9 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM'S PLAN TO ASSASSINATE AMNON Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now (Look!), when Amnon's heart is merry (gets drunk, in a good mood, in high spirits) with wine, and when I say to you (at my signal), 'Strike (kill) Amnon,' then put him to death - Note the parallel of Absalom's sin with his father's sin. Just like his father Absalom did not himself lift the sword against Uriah. But like his father David, Absalom had also committed premeditated murder! The second ironic parallel is that David had unsuccessfully made Uriah drunk, but Absalom succeeded with his plot in making Amnon drunk. Like father, like son! The prophecy that "the sword shall never depart from your house" (2Sa 12:10+) was beginning to be fulfilled in front of David's eyes! What goes around, comes around. The "divine sword" was beginning to swing as prophesied by Nahum when he declared to David "the sword shall never depart from your house." (2Sa 12:10+) Note that Absalom may have had a second motive for killing Amnon who was firstborn and therefore first in line to succeed his father as king of Israel. Youngblood quips that "To be "in high spirits from drinking wine" (v.28) is often to invite mischief at best (cf. Est 1:10-11) and disaster at worst (see 1 Sam 25:36) )—in this case mayhem ("Kill him"). (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Do not fear (do not be afraid); have not I myself commanded you (given this order)? - Do not fear is Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense (like an imperative or command). Absalom assumes full command (note the "I myself") and is saying he will take full responsibility for the dastardly deed. Is his "I myself" command a harbinger of his future attempt to usurp rule from King David? Be courageous and be valiant (lit - "become sons of valor") - "Use your strength and show your mettle!" (2Sa 13:28NJB); "Be resolute and act manfully." (2Sa 13:28NAB) Rich Cather's humor - I think you could make a point that Absalom was really a panda bear. Illustration - A panda walks into a diner, sits down, and orders a sandwich. He eats the sandwich, pulls out a gun, and shoots out the restaurant’s windows. As the panda stands up to go, the owner shouts, “Hey! Where are you going? You just shot out my windows and you didn’t pay for your sandwich!” The panda yells back at the owner, “Hey man, I’m a PANDA! Look it up!” The owner opens his dictionary and sees the following definition for “panda”: “A tree dwelling marsupial of Asian origin, characterized by distinct black and white coloring. Eats shoots and leaves.” 2 Samuel 13:29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled. servants: 1Sa 22:18,19 1Ki 21:11-13 2Ki 1:9-12 Pr 29:12 Mic 7:3 mule: 2Sa 18:9 Ge 36:24 Lev 19:19 1Ki 1:33 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SERVANTS STRIKE AMNON SONS FLEE IN DISMAY The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded - Amnon was foolish for coming but his act with Tamar was foolish and he seems to not have been very wise at best! The servants obey Absalom's command to murder Amnon, David's firstborn son, and thereby commit a capital offense that is punishable by their death. Clearly they sense Absalom has enough political clout that they are protected from punishment. One other point to keep in mind is that Absalom is the third son of David, the second being Chileab (aka Daniel) (2Sa 3:3, 1Ch 3:1), but Chileab is never mentioned in adulthood and we must surmise he died as a child. Here is the point, with Amnon dead, now Absalom is the next in line to replace King David, but as the saga unfolds Absalom is not willing to wait for David to die! Recall the prophecy in 2Sa 12:10 "‘Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’" David is beginning to reap the consequences of the seeds of sin he had sown! Woe! F B Meyer may be correct when he says "Absalom’s fratricide would never have taken place if David had taken instant measures to punish Amnon.” Then - This marks a rapid progression in the narrative! The sons are not willing to wait and see what Absalom's intentions are toward them! All the king's sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled - Mules were consider to be a "royal animal" at this time (1Ki 1:33, 38, 44). David's other sons "high tail it" out of there. Undoubtedly they feared for their lives at this juncture. It is surprising that this reference to mule is the first in the Bible. The Torah forbade the breeding of hybrids in Leviticus 19:19, so most likely the mules were procured, as were horses, by trade.
2 Samuel 13
Meyer - Our Daily Homily - 2 Samuel 13:31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth. Throughout the incidents of this chapter, the soul of David touched the bottom of the sea of anguish and remorse. The circumstances narrated were in themselves sad enough; but there was a more bitter element in them for David, because he knew that they were the harvest of which his own sin was the seed. Here began to be fulfilled the sentence of God through Nathan, ‘‘The sword shall never depart from thine house.” He had broken up the peace of another’s home, and peace had quitted his home, never to return. He had defiled the purity of Uriah’s wife, and the purity of his own daughter had been trampled under foot. He had smitten Uriah, and now Absalom had murdered Amnon. Through those awful hours when the entire fate of the whole of his family seemed trembling in the balance, he drank to the dregs the cup of bitterness. Oh, how true are the apostle’s words: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Sin resembles the Australian weed, which when once it is sown in the waters will spread with such rapidity as to spoil their beauty, and choke their flow. We must distinguish between the penal and natural results. The penal were borne by Christ for us all, and are remitted forevermore; but the natural remain even to forgiven penitents, as they did to David. Still, God’s grace may transmute them into blessings, and cause pearls to grow where before there had been gaping wounds. Ask God to take in hand the natural consequences of your sins, and make them means of grace and ennoblement. 2 Samuel 13:32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, responded, "Do not let my lord suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. Jonadab: 2Sa 13:3-5 Shimeah: 1Sa 16:9 determined: Ge 27:41 Ps 7:14 Pr 24:11,12 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JONADAB CORRECTS THE 'FAKE NEWS' Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, responded, "Do not let my lord suppose (don't believe) they have put to death all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead - Jonadab (David's nephew and a shrewd man) is a hypocrite for he is the very one who had put the sinister plot to rape Tamar into Amnon's mind (2Sa 13:3-5+). Somehow Jonadab learns that all the sons were not killed as originally reported, but only Amnon was killed. He is a weasel (sneaky, devious, deceitful) and likely sought to curry favor with David by being the bearer of "better news." TSK note on Jonadab - This was a very bad man: he had given his cousin Amnon the most detestable advice; and here speaks coolly of a most bloody tragedy of which he had been the cause. Because - Term of explanation. Jonadab explains why only Amnon was assassinated. By the intent (the command) of Absalom this has been determined (has planned this, has been plotting this) since the day that he violated (shamed, humiliated, raped) his sister Tamar - GWN = "Absalom decided to do this the day his half brother raped his sister Tamar." (2Sa 13:32GWN) Jonadab explains to David that the murder of Absalom is what he had talked about from the day that Amnon humiliated Tamar. It is unclear how Jonadab knew that Absalom had been plotting murder for 2 years. I would suggest Jonadab is a trouble maker and he may not have actually known but wanted to sow seeds of division between David and Absalom. In one sense Absalom did what David had should have done - he took punitive action. As noted Lev 20:17 (cf Lv 18:11, 29) said a man who lay with his sister was to be cut off (Septuagint has "utterly destroyed"!) which some interpret as put to death or at the very least banished from the nation of Israel. 2 Samuel 13:33 "Now therefore, do not let my lord the king take the report to heart, namely, 'all the king's sons are dead,' for only Amnon is dead." do not let my lord: 2Sa 19:19 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JONADAB CONTINUES HIS REPORT Now therefore, do not let my lord the king take the report to heart, namely, 'all the king's sons are dead - "don't take seriously the report that says all the king's sons are dead" (2Sa 13:33CSB) For only Amnon is dead - "Only Amnon" Jonadab coolly relates. He is only the crown prince, only the man next in line to be king! Jonadab has an evil heart! 2 Samuel 13:34 Now Absalom had fled. And the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. NAB - Meanwhile, Absalom had taken flight. Then the servant on watch looked about and saw a large group coming down the slope from the direction of Bahurim. He came in and reported this, telling the king that he had seen some men coming down the mountainside from the direction of Bahurim. NIV Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, "I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill." NRS But Absalom fled. When the young man who kept watch looked up, he saw many people coming from the Horonaim road by the side of the mountain. Absalom fled: 2Sa 13:38 Ge 4:8-14 Pr 28:17 Am 5:19 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM FLEES Now Absalom had fled - Absalom is no fool and he realizes his life is potentially in danger from King David. And the young man who was the watchman (on the Jerusalem wall) raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain (from the west of the city) - "he saw many people coming from the west on a road beside the hill." (2Sa 13:34NET) "I see a crowd of people coming from the Horonaim road along the side of the hill." (2Sa 13:34NLT) This crowd of people which represented the king's sons and servants was coming not from the east which would have been the direct route back to Jerusalem but had circled around to approach from the west. Note that several of the translations have the word Horonaim 2 Samuel 13:35 Jonadab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons have come; according to your servant's word, so it happened." as they servant said, Heb. according to the word of thy servant, 2Sa 13:35 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JONADAB'S REPORT "IT'S JUST AS I SAID!" Jonadab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons have come; according to your servant's word, so it happened - Jonadab pats himself on the back again attempting to curry favor with the king by confirming his earlier report saying "It's exactly like your servant said." As we said earlier, this guy is a real weasel of a man! 2 Samuel 13:36 As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly. wept very bitterly 2Sa 13:15 2Sa 12:21 18:33 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOURNING FOR AMNON As soon as he had finished speaking - It is almost like Jonadab times his words perfectly with the entrance of the rest of David's sons. behold, the king's sons came and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly - The king, the sons and the servants all weep Amnon's assassination. David