2 Samuel 13 24

2 Samuel 13:24 kjv

And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

2 Samuel 13:24 nkjv

Then Absalom came to the king and said, "Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant."

2 Samuel 13:24 niv

Absalom went to the king and said, "Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?"

2 Samuel 13:24 esv

And Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant."

2 Samuel 13:24 nlt

He went to the king and said, "My sheep-shearers are now at work. Would the king and his servants please come to celebrate the occasion with me?"

2 Samuel 13 verses

2 Samuel 13 24 Meaning

2 Samuel 13:24 reveals Absalom's cunning strategy two years after Amnon's crime against Tamar. He approaches King David with a seemingly humble request: an invitation for the king and his court to attend Absalom's sheep-shearing feast. This request, couched in deferential language, is a critical step in Absalom's meticulously planned vengeance against Amnon, serving as a cover for his murderous intent.

2 Samuel 13 24 Context

This verse is a pivotal moment within 2 Samuel chapter 13, which details the tragic culmination of sin within David's household. Two years prior, David's firstborn son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, Absalom's full sister. David, despite his anger, failed to act decisively or mete out justice. This parental neglect and judicial inaction fostered deep resentment in Absalom. For two years, Absalom harbored his fury in silence, neither speaking good nor bad to Amnon. This quiet brooding highlights his premeditated and cold-blooded nature. The "sheep shearing" feast was a customary occasion for celebration and feasting among wealthy landowners in ancient Israel, often associated with bounty and hospitality. Absalom's invitation, therefore, appears to be a typical social gesture. However, given the preceding two years of silence and seething resentment, this seemingly benign invitation for the king and his entourage (including Amnon) serves as a carefully constructed pretext for Absalom's plan for revenge. Historically and culturally, such feasts were important events, sometimes drawing large gatherings, making them suitable cover for clandestine plots due to the accompanying merriment and perhaps a lowering of inhibitions.

2 Samuel 13 24 Word analysis

• And Absalom came (וַיָּבֹ֥א אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם, wayyāḇōʾ ’Aḇšālôm):
  • "And Absalom came": Signifies direct, intentional action on Absalom's part. It implies the culmination of his two years of silent planning and brooding. The verb "came" (וַיָּבֹא) is simple, yet in the narrative, it marks a significant shift from passive waiting to active execution of a plan.
  • Absalom: Son of David by Maacah, Tamar's full brother. His name (אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם, ’Aḇšālôm) means "father of peace" or "my father is peace," an ironic contrast to his vengeful actions that bring anything but peace to David's house.
• to the king (אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ, ʾel-hammelek):
  • "to the king": Specifically to David, his father, who holds royal authority and to whom this seemingly innocent request must be directed. Absalom maintains proper protocol to mask his sinister intentions. David's position makes his presence or absence impactful.
• and said (וַיֹּאמַ֗ר, wayyōʾmar):
  • "and said": Simple declarative verb, but here introduces Absalom's calculated speech. His words are carefully chosen.
• Behold now (הִנֵּֽה־נָא֙, hinnēh-nāʾ):
  • "Behold now": An interjection used to draw immediate attention to what follows, emphasizing the significance or urgency of the statement. It adds a polite, slightly formal, yet also insistent tone to his request.
• thy servant (עַבְדְּךָ֖, ʿaḇdəḵā):
  • "thy servant": A humble and deferential form of address. Absalom positions himself as a loyal subordinate, appealing to David's favor. This politeness is a key element of his deception. He seeks to lull David into a false sense of security.
• hath sheep shearers (גֹּזְזִ֣ים לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ, gōzəzîm ləʿaḇdeḵā):
  • "sheep shearers": Refers to the event of sheep shearing, which in ancient Israel was a time of communal festivity, feasting, and celebration after a period of labor (Gen 38:12, 1 Sam 25:2-11). It's a context of relaxed guard and abundant food/drink, perfect for Absalom's hidden agenda. The phrasing "hath sheep shearers" indicates the upcoming event belongs to him and will be held at his location.
• let the king, I beseech thee (יֵלֶךְ־נָ֤א הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙, yēleḵ-nāʾ hammèleḵ):
  • "let the king, I beseech thee": Absalom's humble petition (נָא, nāʾ - "please" or "I pray you"). It appears to honor David and implies a desire for royal blessing or participation, enhancing the seeming legitimacy of the invitation. The "king" being present would elevate the occasion's importance significantly.
• and his servants (וַעֲבָדָ֔יו, waʿăḇāḏāw):
  • "and his servants": Refers to the royal retinue, officials, and attendants, which would include Amnon. This detail ensures that Amnon is part of the invited party without Absalom having to single him out, thus maintaining his cover of impartiality. It implies a large gathering, making individual actions less conspicuous.
• go with thy servant (עִם־עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃, ʿim-ʿaḇdəḵā):
  • "go with thy servant": Reinforces the humility of the invitation and brings the whole royal company under Absalom's apparent hospitality. The repeated use of "thy servant" (used twice in this single verse) emphasizes Absalom's feigned subservience and honor for the king, while inwardly plotting.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Absalom came to the king, and said": This opening phrase sets the scene for a calculated confrontation or proposal. It highlights Absalom's initiative after a period of silent planning. The direct address "to the king" signifies that his target for this phase of the plan is David himself, as a means to reach Amnon.
• "Behold now, thy servant hath sheep shearers": This group of words functions as a polite yet compelling introduction to the request. "Behold now" is a courteous attention-getter. The mention of "sheep shearers" establishes the context as a traditional, festive, and seemingly benign event, skillfully masking the underlying plot. Absalom’s use of "thy servant" frames the event as one hosted by a humble, loyal subject.
• "let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant": This is the core request, crafted to appear respectful and honorary. The inclusion of "the king" (as guest of honor) and "his servants" (encompassing Amnon and others) is a deliberate strategy. "I beseech thee" adds an element of humble urgency. The invitation for a large royal party provides the perfect environment for Absalom's secret, targeted action within the general festive chaos, while preventing immediate suspicion from falling on him as he ensures Amnon's presence.

2 Samuel 13 24 Bonus section

The deliberate two-year silence (2 Sam 13:22-23) preceding Absalom's request is crucial. This extended period indicates that Absalom's plan was not an impulsive act of rage, but a carefully nurtured desire for revenge, highlighting his patience and calculated ruthlessness. The Hebrew term gozez for "shearer" can also imply someone who "cuts off," ironically foreshadowing the cutting off of Amnon's life. The king's physical presence was highly esteemed, so Absalom inviting David not only added credibility to the event but also placed Amnon in a vulnerable, honor-bound position as part of the king's retinue. The lack of proper justice from King David over Amnon's initial heinous act implicitly encouraged Absalom to take the law into his own hands, leading to a tragic cycle of violence within the royal family, echoing principles like "what one sows, he will also reap" (Gal 6:7) in the wider biblical narrative.

2 Samuel 13 24 Commentary

2 Samuel 13:24, while seemingly a simple courtesy call, is steeped in dramatic irony and foreboding. After two years of seething in silence, Absalom orchestrates a plan against Amnon, and this verse is the crucial first step. Absalom’s meticulous approach is evident in his choice of event—a sheep-shearing feast—which was a known time of festivity, indulgence, and gathering in ancient Israel, offering an ideal cover for a vengeful plot. His use of humble and respectful language, repeatedly calling himself "thy servant" and imploring David "I beseech thee," is a masterful display of disarming deception, typical of those with hidden agendas (Psa 55:21). The request for "the king, and his servants" to attend is not merely for show; it is a calculated move to ensure Amnon's presence without raising suspicion by specifically inviting him. This narrative serves as a stark reminder of the long-term, devastating consequences of sin—Amnon's rape, David's inaction—which continued to unravel David's family and kingdom, as prophesied by Nathan in 2 Sam 12:10-11. It exemplifies how malice can be disguised by seemingly noble or benign gestures, highlighting the cunning nature of human sin when fueled by unaddressed injustice or unrighteous vengeance.