39 The translation follows 4QSama in reading רוּחַ הַמֶּלֶךְ (ruakh hammelekh, “the spirit of the king”) rather than the דָּוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ (david hammelekh, “David the king”). The understanding reflected in the translation above is that David, though alienated during this time from his son Absalom, still had an abiding love and concern for him. He longed for reconciliation with him. A rather different interpretation of the verse supposes that David’s interest in taking military action against Absalom grew slack with the passing of time, and this in turn enabled David’s advisers to encourage him toward reconciliation with Absalom. For the latter view, see P. K. McCarter, II Samuel (), , and cf. .
40 Heb “was consoled over Amnon, because he was dead.”

In other versions

And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.

And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.

King David longed to go to Absalom, for David had finished grieving over Amnon’s death.

And King David, now reconciled to Amnon’s death, longed to be reunited with his son Absalom.

King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was consoled that Amnon had died.

And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

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