2 Samuel 13:23–29

Absalom Murders Amnon

²³And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom ^qhad sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons. ²⁴Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

²⁵But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him.

²⁶Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.”

And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” ²⁷But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

²⁸Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s ^rheart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and ³valiant.” ²⁹So the servants of Absalom ^sdid to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on ^this mule and fled.