2 Samuel 13:29

And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

And the servants {H5288} of Absalom {H53} did {H6213} unto Amnon {H550} as Absalom {H53} had commanded {H6680}. Then all the king's {H4428} sons {H1121} arose {H6965}, and every man {H376} gat him up {H7392} upon his mule {H6505}, and fled {H5127}.

Avshalom's servants did to Amnon as Avshalom had ordered. At this, all the king's sons jumped up, mounted their mules and fled.

So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had ordered. Then all the other sons of the king got up, and each one fled on his mule.

And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

Commentary

2 Samuel 13:29 vividly describes the immediate, horrific aftermath of Absalom's calculated revenge against his half-brother Amnon. The verse succinctly states that Absalom's servants carried out his command, leading to Amnon's death, and the subsequent panic and flight of all the other royal sons present at the sheep-shearing feast.

Context

This verse is the grim culmination of a dark chapter in King David's family history. It follows Amnon's heinous act against his half-sister Tamar, Absalom's full sister, detailed in 2 Samuel 13:14. Absalom harbored a deep, silent hatred for two years, refusing to speak to Amnon (2 Samuel 13:22). He then orchestrated a trap, inviting all the king's sons to a sheep-shearing festival in Ephraim, a traditional time of revelry, where he gave the chilling command to his servants: "When Amnon's heart is merry with wine... then kill him, fear not" (2 Samuel 13:28). This verse confirms the execution of that command and the immediate, chaotic reaction of the other princes.

Key Themes

  • Retribution and Revenge: The verse highlights Absalom's successful execution of his long-planned, brutal revenge for the dishonor brought upon his sister Tamar. This act underscores the destructive power of unchecked anger and the cycle of violence.
  • Consequences of Sin: Amnon's death is a direct, tragic consequence of his own sin and, implicitly, David's failure to administer justice earlier. This event further illustrates the prophecy given by Nathan to David regarding the "sword never departing from his house" (2 Samuel 12:10).
  • Panic and Disorder: The swift flight of the other royal sons reveals the sudden shock, fear, and complete breakdown of order within the royal family gathering. They fled on their mules, a common and swift mode of transportation for nobility in ancient Israel, indicating their desperate haste to escape the scene of bloodshed.
  • Absalom's Ruthlessness: This decisive and violent act reveals Absalom's character, showcasing his capacity for cunning and brutality. It foreshadows his later ambition and willingness to use force, which would eventually lead to his rebellion against King David (2 Samuel 15:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gat him up upon his mule" simply means they quickly mounted their mules. Mules were prized animals in ancient Israel, often used by royalty and important figures for swift and comfortable travel. Their immediate mounting and flight emphasize the suddenness and urgency of their departure from the scene of the assassination.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive nature of sin, especially when left unaddressed. It illustrates how personal transgressions can ripple through families and communities, leading to further violence, fear, and division. The story of Amnon and Absalom underscores the importance of justice, the dangers of simmering resentment, and the tragic consequences that arise when anger and a desire for revenge replace the pursuit of righteousness and reconciliation. It also highlights the responsibility of leaders and parents to address sin decisively and justly to prevent such devastating outcomes.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 1:33

    The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

  • 2 Samuel 18:9

    ¶ And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that [was] under him went away.

  • Genesis 36:24

    And these [are] the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this [was that] Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.

  • Leviticus 19:19

    ¶ Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

  • 2 Kings 1:9

    ¶ Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

  • 2 Kings 1:12

    And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I [be] a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

  • 1 Kings 21:11

    And the men of his city, [even] the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, [and] as it [was] written in the letters which she had sent unto them.
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