2 Samuel 13:28

KJV

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now Absalom {H53} had commanded {H6680} his servants {H5288}, saying {H559}, Mark {H7200} ye now when Amnon's {H550} heart {H3820} is merry {H2896} with wine {H3196}, and when I say {H559} unto you, Smite {H5221} Amnon {H550}; then kill {H4191} him, fear {H3372} not: have not I commanded {H6680} you? be courageous {H2388}, and be valiant {H1121}{H2428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Avshalom ordered his servants, "Pay close attention: when Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine, and I say to you, 'Kill Amnon,' then strike him down. Don't be afraid - I'm the one ordering you to do it - but take courage, and be bold."

Berean Standard Bible

Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”

American Standard Version

And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him; fear not; have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 13:28 records the chilling command from Absalom to his servants to assassinate his half-brother Amnon. This verse marks the culmination of a two-year period of simmering resentment and calculated plotting, following Amnon's heinous rape of Absalom's full sister, Tamar. Absalom's precise instructions reveal a cold, premeditated act of vengeance, designed to be executed when Amnon was vulnerable due to intoxication, underscoring the tragic and escalating consequences of unaddressed sin and familial breakdown within King David's household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic moment of Absalom's long-held vengeance against Amnon. The preceding narrative in [2 Samuel 13](/2_samuel/13 "2 Samuel 13 - Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom") details the rape of Tamar by Amnon ([2 Samuel 13:1-22](/2_samuel/13-1 "2 Samuel 13:1-22 - Amnon Rapes Tamar")), David's passive response to this atrocity ([2 Samuel 13:21](/2_samuel/13-21 "2 Samuel 13:21 - David's Inaction")), and Absalom's two-year silent harboring of hatred. Absalom's invitation of all the king's sons to a sheep-shearing feast at Baal-hazor ([2 Samuel 13:23-27](/2_samuel/13-23 "2 Samuel 13:23-27 - Absalom's Feast and Plot")) serves as the meticulously planned setup for the murder. The immediate aftermath, described in [2 Samuel 13:29-39](/2_samuel/13-29 "2 Samuel 13:29-39 - Absalom Flees and David Grieves"), shows the panic among the king's sons, Absalom's flight to Geshur, and David's prolonged grief, setting the stage for Absalom's eventual return and rebellion against his father in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds within the patriarchal and monarchical society of ancient Israel, where family honor and the king's authority were paramount. Sheep-shearing feasts were significant agricultural events, often accompanied by feasting and merriment, making them opportune settings for social gatherings, but also, as seen here, for nefarious plots. The king's eldest son, Amnon, held a privileged position, but his actions against Tamar violated deeply held societal norms regarding sexual purity and family protection. David's failure to administer justice, particularly given his role as king and father, was a profound dereliction of duty, exacerbating the crisis. The concept of "blood vengeance" (גאולת הדם - *go'alut ha-dam*) was a recognized, though regulated, practice in ancient Israel, but Absalom's act here is a personal, calculated murder rather than a legally sanctioned avenging of blood.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in [2 Samuel](/2_samuel "The Book of 2 Samuel"). It vividly illustrates the **destructive consequences of sin**, particularly when unaddressed or unpunished. David's inaction concerning Amnon's crime directly precipitates Absalom's murderous revenge, fulfilling, in part, Nathan's prophecy that "the sword shall never depart from your house" ([2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword")). The passage also highlights the theme of **human vengeance versus divine justice**, showing how personal retribution, even if provoked by grievous wrong, leads to further bloodshed and moral decay rather than true resolution. Furthermore, it exposes the **corrupting influence of power and authority**, as Absalom, a prince, manipulates and coerces his servants into committing murder, demonstrating a chilling disregard for life and law, which foreshadows his later usurpation of David's throne ([2 Samuel 15:1-12](/2_samuel/15-1 "2 Samuel 15:1-12 - Absalom Steals Hearts and Rebels")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"merry with wine" (Hebrew, _tov lev ba-yayin'_):** This phrase literally translates to "good of heart with wine" or "heart made good by wine." It describes a state of cheerfulness, uninhibitedness, and perhaps a diminished capacity for judgment or self-defense due to intoxication. Absalom's specific instruction to wait for this condition demonstrates his cold, calculated planning, aiming to strike Amnon when he was most vulnerable and least likely to resist or escape, highlighting the predatory nature of the plot.
* **"fear not" (Hebrew, _al tir'u'_):** This is a strong negative imperative, "do not fear," directed at Absalom's servants. It serves as a powerful reassurance, aiming to dispel any hesitation, moral qualms, or fear of reprisal they might have. Absalom understands the gravity of the command and seeks to alleviate their apprehension by taking full responsibility, effectively binding them to his will and ensuring their obedience through a combination of authority and psychological manipulation.
* **"have not I commanded you?" (Hebrew, _halo anochi tziviti etchem'_):** This rhetorical question, posed by Absalom, functions as a forceful affirmation of his authority and a declaration of his full accountability for the act. The use of the perfect tense for "commanded" (צויתי - *tziviti*) emphasizes that the order is already given, firm, and irreversible. It removes any ambiguity about the source of the command and serves as both a guarantee of protection for his servants and an implicit threat of consequences should they disobey.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Absalom's agency and the premeditated nature of the crime. It highlights his deliberate preparation and the direct issuance of a murderous order to his subordinates.
* **"Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine,"**: This is the first specific instruction, revealing Absalom's strategic timing. He intends to exploit Amnon's vulnerability when he is intoxicated and his guard is down, indicating a lack of honor or direct confrontation, opting instead for a cowardly ambush.
* **"and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon;"**: This provides the precise trigger for the attack. Absalom reserves the final signal for himself, maintaining absolute control over the execution of his plan, emphasizing his personal involvement and the absolute authority he wields over his servants. The verb "smite" (הכו - *hakku*) here is a strong imperative, meaning to strike down or kill.
* **"then kill him, fear not:"**: This is the explicit command for murder, immediately followed by a powerful reassurance. The dual imperative "kill him" leaves no room for misinterpretation of the intent, while "fear not" directly addresses the servants' potential apprehension, indicating Absalom's awareness of the enormity of the deed and his determination to overcome any resistance from his agents.
* **"have not I commanded you?"**: This rhetorical question serves as Absalom's ultimate guarantee and assertion of responsibility. It is a powerful statement of his authority, designed to quell any lingering doubts or fears among his servants, assuring them that the blame and consequences, if any, would fall upon him.
* **"be courageous, and be valiant."**: These final imperatives are a call to action, urging his servants to overcome any moral or physical hesitation and execute the command with strength and resolve. They are a final psychological push, framing the act not as a crime but as a display of loyalty and strength under his leadership.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Imperative Mood**, with Absalom issuing direct commands: "Mark ye," "Smite," "kill him," "fear not," "be courageous," and "be valiant." This pervasive use of imperatives underscores Absalom's absolute authority and his forceful control over his servants, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of his murderous decree. There is a strong sense of **Foreshadowing** in this act, as Absalom's willingness to resort to such extreme violence and manipulation for personal vengeance prefigures his later, more widespread rebellion against his father, King David, which also involved deception and bloodshed. The scene also contains a subtle **Irony** in Absalom's call for his servants to "be courageous and be valiant" in the act of a cowardly ambush against an intoxicated, defenseless man, contrasting the language of valor with the ignoble nature of the deed. The phrase "be courageous, and be valiant" also exhibits **Parallelism**, reinforcing the call to action through two closely related, emphatic commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This dark episode serves as a profound theological commentary on the devastating ripple effects of unaddressed sin and the perils of human vengeance. David's failure to administer justice for Tamar's rape created a vacuum that Absalom filled with his own distorted sense of retribution, illustrating how a lack of accountability can breed deeper corruption and violence within a family and, by extension, a nation. The narrative underscores that while God is sovereign and may allow human actions to unfold, personal vengeance, even when provoked by grave injustice, is never the path to true restoration or divine blessing. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of bloodshed and sorrow, as seen in the subsequent events of David's reign, where "the sword" indeed never departed from his house. The passage implicitly calls for reliance on God's perfect justice and the difficult, but necessary, path of forgiveness and reconciliation, rather than succumbing to the destructive impulses of bitterness and revenge.

* [Genesis 4:8](/genesis/4-8 "Genesis 4:8 - Cain Murders Abel")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")
* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine, and Recompense")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling precision of Absalom's command in 2 Samuel 13:28 forces us to confront the destructive power of unaddressed sin and the insidious nature of bitterness that festers into premeditated violence. It serves as a stark reminder that while the desire for justice is innate, taking justice into our own hands, outside of God's prescribed ways, inevitably leads to further brokenness and a perpetuation of the cycle of harm. For believers, this passage challenges us to examine our own hearts for unconfessed sin, unresolved anger, or desires for personal retribution. It calls us to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when human systems fail, and to actively pursue reconciliation and forgiveness, rather than allowing resentment to consume us. We are reminded that true healing and peace come not from vengeance, but from submitting to God's will and seeking His righteous path, even when it is difficult.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's inaction regarding Amnon's sin highlight the importance of accountability, especially for those in leadership?**
* **In what ways might unaddressed hurts or injustices in our own lives or communities lead to destructive cycles of bitterness and revenge?**
* **How does Absalom's manipulation of his servants challenge us to consider the ethics of obedience to authority, particularly when commands are morally questionable?**
* **What practical steps can we take to surrender our desire for personal vengeance to God and instead pursue His justice and reconciliation?**

### FAQ
**Was Absalom justified in his actions given Amnon's crime against Tamar?**

Answer: While Amnon's rape of Tamar was a heinous and unpunished crime that deeply wounded Absalom and his family, Absalom's act of premeditated murder was not a justified response. Biblical law provided for justice through established legal processes, not personal vengeance. Absalom's actions, though fueled by understandable rage and a desire for retribution, ultimately perpetuated the cycle of violence and sin within David's house, leading to further tragedy and his own eventual downfall. The Bible distinguishes between righteous justice, administered by God or through legitimate authorities, and personal revenge, which is condemned (e.g., [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")).

**What does "merry with wine" imply about Amnon's state and Absalom's strategy?**

Answer: The phrase "merry with wine" (Hebrew: *tov lev ba-yayin*) signifies that Amnon was in a state of advanced intoxication, likely cheerful, uninhibited, and therefore highly vulnerable. Absalom's instruction to wait for this specific condition reveals a cold, calculated, and cowardly strategy. He sought to eliminate Amnon when he was least able to defend himself or perceive the impending danger, ensuring the success of his murderous plot with minimal risk to his servants. This detail underscores the treacherous and dishonorable nature of Absalom's vengeance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic events of 2 Samuel 13:28, deeply rooted in human sin, vengeance, and the failure of earthly justice, find their ultimate contrast and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Absalom's premeditated murder of Amnon, an act of personal retribution for a grievous wrong, stands in stark opposition to the perfect, redemptive justice of God revealed in Christ. While Amnon was a victim of human vengeance, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the innocent victim of humanity's sin, not for personal vengeance, but to bear the wrath of God against sin on behalf of all who believe ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Unlike Absalom, who sought to settle a score through violence, Christ, on the cross, demonstrated divine love and forgiveness, breaking the cycle of retribution and offering reconciliation to a broken world ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). The failure of David's household to administer justice highlights the need for a perfect King who would rule with righteousness and equity, a role perfectly fulfilled by Jesus, who will one day execute true and final justice, not based on human vengeance, but on divine truth and love ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). In Christ, we find the ultimate answer to the brokenness caused by sin and the call to forgive those who wrong us, rather than seeking personal revenge, for vengeance belongs to the Lord ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 19:6

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

Judges 19:9

And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.

Judges 19:22

¶ [Now] as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, [and] beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

1 Samuel 25:36

¶ And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart [was] merry within him, for he [was] very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

1 Samuel 25:38

And it came to pass about ten days [after], that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

Ruth 3:7

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Genesis 19:32

Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.