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King David’s family had sinful family problems too. Here David’s son Absalom took revenge on Amnon by murdering him. How the world needs the forgiveness of Christ!

BibleGateway: 2 Samuel 13:23-39

ESV Text: 2 Samuel 13:23-39


KJV Text: 2Samuel 13:23-39

The section starts at about 3:40 and ends at about 6:25

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23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 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.

     30 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. 31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. 34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him. 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. 36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 325 :
O Thou That Hear’st When Sinners Cry

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. O Thou that hear’st when sinners cry
Though all my crimes before Thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their memory from Thy book.

2. Create my nature pure within
And form my soul averse to sin;
Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart
Nor hide Thy presence from my heart.

3. I cannot live without Thy light,
Cast out and banish from Thy sight;
Thy holy joys, my God, restore
And guard me that I fall no more.

4. Though I have grieved Thy Spirit, Lord,
His help and comfort still afford
And let me now come near Thy throne
To plead the merits of Thy Son.

5. A broken heart, my God, my King,
Is all the sacrifice I bring.
Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye
And save the soul condemned to die.

6. Oh, may Thy love inspire my tongue
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.