²³Two years later Absalom was having his sheep sheared at Baal Hazor, near the town of Ephraim, and he invited all the king’s sons to be there. ²⁴He went to King David and said, “Your Majesty, I am having my sheep sheared. Will you and your officials come and take part in the festivities?”

²⁵“No, my son,” the king answered. “It would be too much trouble for you if we all went.” Absalom insisted, but the king would not give in, and he asked Absalom to leave.

²⁶But Absalom said, “Well, then, will you at least let my brother Amnon come?” “Why should he?” the king asked. ²⁷But Absalom kept on insisting until David finally let Amnon and all his other sons go with Absalom.

Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king^f ²⁸and instructed his servants: “Notice when Amnon has had too much to drink, and then when I give the order, kill him. Don’t be afraid. I will take the responsibility myself. Be brave and don’t hesitate!” ²⁹So the servants followed Absalom’s instructions and killed Amnon. All the rest of David’s sons mounted their mules and fled.

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Footnotes

fSome ancient translations Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king; Hebrew does not have these words.