2 Samuel 13:27 kjv
But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
2 Samuel 13:27 nkjv
But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
2 Samuel 13:27 niv
But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king's sons.
2 Samuel 13:27 esv
But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
2 Samuel 13:27 nlt
But Absalom kept on pressing the king until he finally agreed to let all his sons attend, including Amnon. So Absalom prepared a feast fit for a king.
2 Samuel 13 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 4:8 | Cain spoke to Abel his brother... Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. | Fratricide born of hatred. |
| Gen 27:41 | Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing... and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob." | Suppressed hatred leading to murder plot. |
| 1 Sam 2:22-25 | Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing... But they would not listen to the voice of their father... | Parental inability to control disobedient sons, leading to their downfall. |
| 1 Sam 25:36-38 | And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. | Sheep-shearing feast as a context for revelry and vulnerability. |
| 2 Sam 12:10-11 | Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house... Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household. | Fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy concerning consequences of David's sin within his family. |
| 2 Sam 13:22 | But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar. | Absalom's two-year silent brooding, concealing his murderous intent. |
| Prov 12:20 | Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. | Absalom's deceptive planning. |
| Prov 26:24-26 | Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips... Though his hatred be covered with deception... | Masked hatred and deceit. |
| Eccl 7:9 | Be not quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. | The dangers of lingering anger. |
| Luke 11:8 | I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. | Illustration of persistent "pressing." |
| Luke 18:5 | Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her legal protection. | Illustration of persistent "pressing." |
| Matt 14:6-10 | But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced... And at the request of Herodias, John the Baptist was beheaded. | Feasts as settings for malevolent plans and bloodshed. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. | Contrast with Absalom's vengeful actions. |
| 1 Cor 10:12 | Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. | Warnings against overconfidence or underestimating danger. |
| Eph 5:15-16 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. | Lack of discernment in David's decision. |
| Heb 12:14-15 | Strive for peace... that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble. | Root of bitterness in Absalom, leading to defilement and murder. |
| 1 Jn 3:12-15 | We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous... Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. | Comparison to Cain, underlying hatred as spiritual murder. |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | The principle of consequences for actions, evident in David's household. |
| Josh 7:16-25 | Achan's sin and the severe consequences on his family. | Parental/familial sin affecting others. |
| Psa 37:7 | Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! | Absalom taking matters into his own hands instead of trusting God's justice. |
| Psa 73:6-9 | Their pride is a necklace about their neck; violence covers them as a garment... They speak maliciously of oppression... | Describes the unbridled arrogance and violent intent seen in Absalom. |
2 Samuel 13 verses
2 Samuel 13 27 Meaning
2 Samuel 13:27 details a pivotal moment where Absalom, after persistent and forceful persuasion, convinces King David to permit Amnon, along with all the other royal princes, to attend his sheep-shearing feast in Baal-Hazor. This seemingly innocuous agreement by David proves to be a tragic concession, as Absalom has harbored a two-year-long desire for revenge against Amnon for the rape of his sister Tamar, intending the feast as the scene for his calculated murder.
2 Samuel 13 27 Context
This verse is critically positioned two years after the rape of Tamar by Amnon, Absalom's full sister (2 Sam 13:1-20). Despite David being informed of Amnon's heinous act, his response was marked by anger but also a passive inaction, as no immediate punitive measures against Amnon are recorded (2 Sam 13:21). This failure to administer justice created a fertile ground for Absalom's quiet resentment and desire for revenge (2 Sam 13:22). Absalom's invitation to a sheep-shearing feast in Baal-Hazor was a calculated trap. Sheep-shearing was typically a time of celebration and revelry, often accompanied by drinking, which would make Amnon vulnerable. David's initial refusal to send all his sons reflects some caution, but Absalom's "pressing" ultimately overcame it. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic and bloody culmination of Absalom's long-held grudge, fulfilling in part Nathan's prophecy about the sword not departing from David's house due to his own sin (2 Sam 12:10).
2 Samuel 13 27 Word analysis
But Absalom pressed him,:
- Absalom: Son of David and Maacah. His character is marked by cunning, patience in plotting, and a fierce, vengeful nature. His two years of silence (2 Sam 13:22) underscore his calculated malevolence rather than forgiveness.
- pressed (Hebrew: וַיִּפְרָץ, vayyiphrāṣ, derived from פָּרַץ, pārats): This verb means to break through, burst forth, break out. In this context, it signifies a strong, persistent, and unyielding urging or even importunity, not a mere request. It indicates Absalom's determination to overcome David's resistance and secure Amnon's presence.
- him: Refers to King David, Absalom's father.
and he let Amnon:
- he: Refers to David, the King. His decision here is tragic.
- let (Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלַח, vayyišlach, derived from שָׁלַח, šālač): To send, permit, let go. This verb denotes David's acquiescence or permission after Absalom's forceful "pressing." It highlights David's yielding despite initial reservations, likely underestimating the depth of Absalom's malice and his son's murderous intent.
- Amnon: David's firstborn son and the victim. His presence at the feast is crucial for Absalom's vengeance.
and all the king’s sons go with him.
- all the king’s sons: This detail is significant. Absalom's insistence on all the princes coming provided a facade of a general, harmless invitation. It aimed to divert suspicion from Amnon being the sole target and to create a more convincing trap.
- go with him: To accompany Absalom. The image is of a jovial outing, concealing the dark design.
Word Groups / Phrases:
- "But Absalom pressed him": This phrase highlights Absalom's cunning strategy. His persistence is not out of honor or desire for reconciliation, but a deliberate manipulation to get his desired victim to a place of vulnerability. It signifies the success of a hidden agenda over paternal discernment.
- "and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him": This demonstrates David's critical lapse in judgment. Despite earlier reluctance, he yields to his son's pressure. This act of "letting go" metaphorically allows disaster to unfold within his own family, emphasizing David's passive parenting and the deep consequences of unaddressed sin within his royal household. The inclusion of "all the king's sons" underscores the strategic deception.
2 Samuel 13 27 Bonus section
The sheep-shearing festival was traditionally a period of harvest and feasting, akin to a royal party or rural holiday. This ordinary context provided Absalom with the perfect cover for his extraordinary act of vengeance. The cultural expectation of feasting and merrymaking during such an event made it easier for David to be persuaded and for Amnon to let down his guard. This specific backdrop underscores Absalom's meticulous planning and cunning; he used an innocent occasion to commit a dark deed, a stark contrast between appearance and reality. Psychologically, Absalom's long silence and strategic patience reflect a deep-seated and brooding resentment, emphasizing how suppressed anger and desire for retribution, if not handled righteously or released, can lead to violent outbursts. This tragic verse also hints at the limits of human authority and foresight in preventing divinely permitted consequences that stem from past moral failures.
2 Samuel 13 27 Commentary
2 Samuel 13:27 is a deceptively simple verse that carries immense narrative weight, marking the point of no return for Absalom's vengeful plot. Absalom's "pressing" David is key; it portrays his cold, calculating resolve cultivated over two years of silent bitterness. This wasn't a gentle request but an insistent push to override David's initial refusal (v. 25). David's eventual consent to "let Amnon and all the king's sons go" highlights his tragic failure in fatherly discernment and responsibility. He had previously failed to deal decisively with Amnon's sin against Tamar (v. 21); here, he fails to perceive Absalom's sinister intentions. The seemingly inclusive invitation ("all the king's sons") serves as a clever camouflage, making the feast appear as a family gathering rather than a meticulously planned ambush. This moment showcases the grim outworking of the prophecy against David's house, where personal sin festers and explodes into internal strife and bloodshed. It’s a somber illustration of how unaddressed sin, inaction, and a lack of proper justice within a family or kingdom can lead to catastrophic, unforeseen consequences, particularly when combined with deceit and long-held grievances.