2 Samuel 13:30

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, while they were in the way {H1870}, that tidings {H8052} came {H935} to David {H1732}, saying {H559}, Absalom {H53} hath slain {H5221} all the king's {H4428} sons {H1121}, and there is not one {H259} of them left {H3498}.

Complete Jewish Bible

While they were on their way, the news came to David that Avshalom had killed all the king's sons, and not one of them was left alive.

Berean Standard Bible

While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures the dramatic moment when King David receives a devastating, albeit exaggerated, report that Absalom has murdered all of his sons. Occurring immediately after Absalom's calculated revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar by Amnon, the news plunges David's household into a state of profound shock and grief, highlighting the escalating tragedy and moral decay within the royal family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Samuel 13:30 is a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of David's family, following directly from Absalom's long-simmering resentment and meticulously planned revenge. The preceding verses detail Amnon's violent rape of Tamar ([/2_samuel/13-19]), David's failure to act decisively against Amnon, and Absalom's two-year silent brooding. Absalom then invites all the king's sons to a sheep-shearing feast in Baal-hazor, a seemingly innocuous event that serves as the setting for his retribution ([/2_samuel/13-27]). Absalom's specific command was to kill only Amnon ([/2_samuel/13-29]), but as the servants and sons flee in panic, the news reaching David is dramatically inflated, setting the stage for the king's profound despair described in the verses that follow ([/2_samuel/13-36]), before the truth of Amnon's sole death is confirmed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold within the patriarchal and monarchical structure of ancient Israel. Royal justice was expected, and David's inaction following Amnon's heinous crime against Tamar was a significant failure of his kingly and fatherly duty. Sheep-shearing feasts were common agricultural celebrations, often accompanied by feasting and revelry, making them opportune settings for such a plot. The swift spread of news, often through runners or word-of-mouth, meant that initial reports could be highly susceptible to exaggeration or misunderstanding, especially in times of panic and chaos. The sanctity of family honor and the severe consequences of sexual assault in this culture underscore the depth of Absalom's perceived justification for revenge, even as his method was illicit and extreme.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Samuel. Firstly, it underscores the **Consequences of Sin**, particularly how David's own past sins (as prophesied by Nathan in [2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword")) continue to manifest as internal strife and violence within his own household. Amnon's sin, David's inaction, and Absalom's revenge form a tragic chain reaction. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Misinformation and Deception**. The core of the verse is the false report, which, though based on a real event, is grossly exaggerated, leading to widespread panic and grief. This emphasizes the danger of unverified news and the ease with which rumors can spread and cause devastation. Finally, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **Parental Grief and Loss**, as David's immediate reaction reveals the profound anguish of a father believing he has lost all his children, a sorrow that would be compounded by later events involving Absalom himself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tidings (שְׁמוּעָה, _shĕmûʿâ'_):** This Hebrew noun refers to a "report," "news," or "rumor." Its use here emphasizes that what reached David was a communication, a piece of information that had been heard and relayed, rather than a direct, eyewitness account confirmed by the king's own intelligence. The nature of "tidings" often implies a degree of uncertainty or the potential for inaccuracy, which is precisely the case here, as the report is later proven to be hyperbolic.
* **Slain (הִכָּה, _hikkâ'_):** Derived from the verb נָכָה (_nāḵâ_), meaning "to strike," "smite," or "kill." This word conveys a sense of violent, decisive action. The report uses this strong verb to describe Absalom's alleged act, leaving no ambiguity about the perceived outcome: a complete massacre.
* **All (כָּל, _kol'_):** This ubiquitous Hebrew word means "all," "every," or "the whole." In this context, its inclusion in the report—"Absalom hath slain **all** the king's sons"—is critical. It is the hyperbolic element that transforms a singular murder into a perceived dynastic catastrophe, eliciting David's extreme reaction of despair and grief. The contrast between this word and the later clarification that only Amnon was killed underscores the dramatic irony and the power of misinformation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass, while they were in the way":** This opening clause sets the scene for the unfolding drama. "They" refers to the king's sons and their servants who were returning from Absalom's sheep-shearing feast. The phrase "in the way" suggests they were still traveling, perhaps some distance from Jerusalem, when the news was dispatched, emphasizing the suddenness and unexpected nature of the report's arrival.
* **"that tidings came to David":** This indicates the direct and immediate delivery of the news to the king. The speed with which such a grave report would be rushed to the capital highlights the urgency and perceived magnitude of the event. The passive construction "tidings came" emphasizes the external nature of the information's arrival, rather than David actively seeking it.
* **"saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left":** This is the core of the verse, containing the shocking and exaggerated content of the report. The declaration that "all the king's sons" have been killed, with "not one of them left," is a hyperbole that magnifies the tragedy beyond the actual event (only Amnon was killed). This extreme statement is designed to convey utter devastation and likely reflects the panic and fear of the messenger or those who first relayed the news. It sets up the dramatic tension for David's reaction and the subsequent clarification of the true events.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Samuel 13:30 is **Hyperbole**. The report that "Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left" is a deliberate overstatement. While Absalom did indeed kill Amnon, his command was specific to Amnon, not all of David's sons. This exaggeration serves to heighten the dramatic tension and underscore the immediate, overwhelming panic that gripped those fleeing the scene. It effectively conveys the messenger's terror and the perceived magnitude of the tragedy from their perspective, even if factually inaccurate. Additionally, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is already privy to Absalom's specific instructions to kill only Amnon ([2 Samuel 13:28](/2_samuel/13-28 "2 Samuel 13:28 - Absalom's Command to Kill Amnon")), while David is not, leading to his profound and misplaced grief. This irony draws the audience deeper into the emotional turmoil of the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a stark reminder of the devastating ripple effects of unaddressed sin and the fragility of peace, even within a royal household. The immediate panic and exaggerated report underscore the human propensity for misinformation and the chaos it can sow. Theologically, it illustrates the principle that actions have consequences, and David's earlier failures to administer justice create a fertile ground for further violence and deception within his family, fulfilling the prophecy that the sword would never depart from his house. It highlights the profound pain of parental grief and the vulnerability of even the most powerful leaders to personal sorrow and the consequences of moral compromise. The narrative warns against hasty judgment based on incomplete information and emphasizes the importance of truth and discernment.

* [Proverbs 18:13](/proverbs/18-13 "Proverbs 18:13 - Hasty Judgment")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Proverbs 25:25](/proverbs/25-25 "Proverbs 25:25 - Good News from a Far Country")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The sudden, shocking, and exaggerated news that reaches David in this verse offers timeless lessons for our own lives. In an age saturated with information, often unverified and emotionally charged, the imperative to discern truth from rumor is more critical than ever. We are called to cultivate a spirit of discernment, resisting the urge to react impulsively to every alarming report, and instead, seeking confirmation and clarity. Furthermore, this narrative powerfully illustrates the insidious nature of unaddressed sin. Amnon's transgression, David's inaction, and Absalom's vengeful response demonstrate how one moral failing, left unpunished or unrepented, can unleash a torrent of pain, division, and destruction within families, communities, and even nations. It challenges us to confront sin swiftly and justly, seeking reconciliation and healing rather than allowing bitterness and resentment to fester. Finally, David's raw grief, even if based on a false premise, reminds us of the profound human capacity for sorrow and the necessity of compassion and support when others face perceived or actual loss.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react to shocking or distressing news, and what steps can I take to ensure I am discerning truth from rumor?**
* **In what ways might unaddressed sin in my own life or community be contributing to cycles of pain or dysfunction?**
* **What role do I play in promoting truth and reconciliation, especially when faced with conflict or misunderstanding?**

### FAQ
**Was the messenger intentionally deceptive in reporting that all of David's sons were slain?**

Answer: It is unlikely the messenger was intentionally deceptive in a malicious sense. More probably, the report was a product of the extreme panic and chaos that erupted after Amnon's murder. Those fleeing the scene would have been in a state of terror, and in such circumstances, details can easily become exaggerated or misconstrued. The sight of Absalom's men striking down Amnon, coupled with the flight of the other sons, could have led to the terrifying conclusion that a wholesale massacre was underway. The messenger was likely relaying what they genuinely believed or what was being wildly rumored in the immediate aftermath, rather than fabricating a lie.

**How does this event relate to Nathan's prophecy to David?**

Answer: This event is a direct and tragic fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy to David in [2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword"). After David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, Nathan declared, "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house." The murder of Amnon by Absalom, and the subsequent family strife, rebellion, and bloodshed that plague David's remaining reign, are the bitter fruits of this prophecy. This verse, with its report of fratricide, marks a significant escalation of the internal violence and division that would continually plague David's household, demonstrating the far-reaching and devastating consequences of sin, even for a man after God's own heart.

**What was David's immediate reaction to this devastating news?**

Answer: David's immediate reaction, described in the very next verse, [2 Samuel 13:31](/2_samuel/13-31 "2 Samuel 13:31 - David's Grief"), was one of profound and utter despair. He tore his clothes, a common sign of deep mourning and distress in ancient Israel, and lay on the ground, expressing his overwhelming grief and desolation at the perceived loss of all his sons. His servants also tore their clothes, sharing in the king's sorrow and the shock of the news. This raw display of emotion underscores the depth of his paternal love and the devastating impact of the exaggerated report.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The chaos, deception, and cycle of violence evident in David's household, culminating in this verse's report of fratricide, powerfully underscore humanity's desperate need for a perfect King and a true Mediator. David, though a man after God's own heart, was flawed, and his failures led to the "sword" never departing from his house, as prophesied ([2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword")). The exaggerated report of all sons being slain highlights the pervasive brokenness and the fear of utter loss that sin introduces into the world. In stark contrast, Jesus, the ultimate Son of David, brings an end to this cycle of sin and its devastating consequences. He is the Truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), who dispels all misinformation and offers genuine peace, unlike the false tidings that plunged David into despair. He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering reconciliation and redemption where David's family knew only revenge and division ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation through Christ")). Unlike David's perceived loss of all his sons, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for His sheep, ensuring that none are lost, but have eternal life in Him ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), [John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Eternal Life in Christ")). His kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, where the sword of internal strife is replaced by the peace that surpasses all understanding ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of 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.