2 Samuel 13 37

2 Samuel 13:37 kjv

But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

2 Samuel 13:37 nkjv

But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

2 Samuel 13:37 niv

Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.

2 Samuel 13:37 esv

But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day.

2 Samuel 13:37 nlt

And David mourned many days for his son Amnon. Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur.

2 Samuel 13 verses

2 Samuel 13 37 Meaning

2 Samuel 13:37 describes the immediate aftermath of Absalom's murder of his half-brother Amnon. Absalom, the third son of David, fled Jerusalem to find refuge with his maternal grandfather, Talmai, the king of Geshur. Meanwhile, David, the king of Israel, endured profound and unceasing grief over the tragic loss within his family, mourning deeply every day, likely for the dead Amnon and the exiled Absalom.

2 Samuel 13 37 Context

2 Samuel 13:37 is situated within a harrowing narrative of sexual sin, familial violence, and political intrigue within David's own household. The chapter begins with Amnon's incestuous rape of his half-sister Tamar, Absalom's full sister. David, though greatly angered, did not administer justice for Tamar's humiliation. Two years later, Absalom exacted his revenge, orchestrating Amnon's murder at a sheep-shearing feast. This act of cold-blooded retribution by Absalom against David's firstborn son necessitated his immediate flight. Absalom fled not to a random land, but specifically to Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom, where his maternal grandfather was king. This move was strategic, offering Absalom both a place of safety from David's potential wrath and a base due to kinship ties. David's subsequent and ongoing grief reflected not only the death of Amnon but also the deep sorrow over Absalom's murderous act and subsequent absence, plunging the royal family further into crisis, a direct consequence of the prophecy in 2 Samuel 12 concerning the sword never departing from David's house.

2 Samuel 13 37 Word analysis

• But (וַ): Connects this action as a consequence or progression from the previous event (Absalom killing Amnon).
• Absalom (אַבְשָׁלוֹם, Avshalom): Meaning "father of peace" or "my father is peace." Ironically, his actions bring anything but peace, generating turmoil, murder, and ultimately rebellion and death within the royal family. He is David's handsome and charismatic son, deeply loved by his father, but whose resentment for Amnon's sin and David's inaction festered.
• fled (וַיִּבְרַח, vayyivrach): Implies a hasty, desperate escape. It signifies becoming a fugitive, separating himself from the king's justice and authority, thereby prolonging his estrangement from David and the court.
• and went (וַיֵּלֶךְ, vayyelech): Indicates deliberate travel, a purposeful destination chosen for refuge.
• to Talmai (אֶל־תַּלְמַי, el Talmay): "Talmai" meaning "furrowed" or "brave." He was king of Geshur and Absalom's maternal grandfather (2 Sam 3:3), indicating a calculated choice of refuge due to a pre-existing familial and political alliance.
• the son of Ammihud (בֶּן־עַמִּיהוּד, ben Ammihud): "Ammihud" means "my people are glory" or "kinsman of renown." This paternal lineage identifies Talmai more precisely, further cementing the legitimacy of Absalom's asylum with his mother's kin.
• king of Geshur (מֶלֶךְ־גְּשׁוּר, melech Geshur): Geshur was a small Aramean city-state or region situated to the east of the Sea of Galilee. Marriages, like David's to Maacah, formed important political alliances in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, making Geshur a safe haven from David's jurisdiction. This exile outside Israel's boundaries allowed Absalom to avoid immediate retribution and plot his return.
• And David (וְדָוִד, veDavid): The subject shifts back to David, highlighting his response to this dual tragedy.
• mourned (אָבֵל, avel): Denotes deep, personal grief, lament, and sorrow, a profound state of anguish. This word carries weight, reflecting David's internal suffering over the horrific events.
• for his son (עַל־בְּנוֹ, al-beno): This refers to both Amnon (who was murdered) and Absalom (who was exiled). David's grief began with Amnon's death but expanded to encompass the ongoing pain of Absalom's absence, compounding his family tragedies.
• every day (כָּל־הַיָּמִים, kol-hayamim): Emphasizes the duration and persistence of David's mourning. His sorrow was not fleeting but continuous and pervasive, day after day, underscoring the profound impact of the familial violence and division on him.

Words-group analysis:

• "But Absalom fled and went to Talmai...king of Geshur": This phrase encapsulates Absalom's decisive action to evade consequences. His choice of destination, a kingdom allied by blood, speaks volumes about the pragmatic realities of royal alliances and the desperate measures taken to escape justice, setting the stage for his absence and eventual return.
• "And David mourned for his son every day": This group of words starkly contrasts Absalom's flight with David's enduring suffering. It highlights David's personal anguish, prolonged and consuming, indicating a father broken by the breakdown of his family, wrestling with the consequences of his own previous sins and failures in his household.

2 Samuel 13 37 Bonus section

The narrative pause marked by Absalom's exile and David's protracted mourning allows for reflection on David's often reactive rather than proactive kingship regarding his family. His inability or reluctance to decisively punish Amnon for the rape of Tamar created a vacuum that Absalom filled with violent vengeance. This passive response to familial sin directly contributed to the chain of tragedies that followed. Absalom's period in Geshur, a kingdom connected to David through his own marriage alliance, highlights the intricate web of personal and political relationships in ancient monarchies, where blood ties could offer both refuge and potential for future power plays. The verse, though seemingly a simple transition, actually sets the stage for Absalom's eventual ambitious and destructive return.

2 Samuel 13 37 Commentary

2 Samuel 13:37 vividly portrays the tragic ripple effects of sin within David's royal household, aligning directly with Nathan's prophecy that the sword would never depart from his house (2 Sam 12:10). Absalom's vengeful act of fratricide, itself a response to David's passive inaction concerning Amnon's abhorrent sin, catapults him into exile. This verse is not just a report of events, but a window into the brokenness of a family.

Absalom's flight to Geshur was not a random act but a calculated move rooted in kinship, providing a safe harbor where David's immediate authority did not reach. This period of exile, lasting three years, gave Absalom time to consolidate his thoughts, nurture grievances, and potentially plan his future moves. David, meanwhile, is shown as a man steeped in grief. His "mourning every day" signifies a continuous, unremitting sorrow, a double burden of grief for Amnon, brutally slain, and for Absalom, the beloved son who had become a murderer and now a fugitive. This sustained grief for Absalom even more than Amnon points to David's deeply personal struggle with the failures and fractures within his own family. It foreshadows David's deep, painful, and often conflicted love for Absalom that would characterize their relationship even after Absalom's eventual return and subsequent rebellion, ultimately leading to more heartache and even greater national crisis.