2 Samuel 13:39 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 13:39 mean?

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

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

NASB: And the heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for he was comforted regarding Amnon, since he was dead.

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

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

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

NKJV: And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

Verse Commentary:

David has grieved the loss of his firstborn, Amnon, and has come to a measure of peace. "Comforted" is a complicated word that includes the ideas of regret, compassion, and comfort. David begins to miss his son Absalom. The problem is, Absalom's the one who murdered Amnon.

Unlike most Bible stories, the account of God's curses on David is carefully delineated by time.

Amnon, David's oldest, lusts after his sister Tamar. With the help of his cousin Jonadab's plan, he manages to get Tamar alone and rape her (2 Samuel 13:1–14).

Two years later, after David has done nothing to hold Amnon responsible, Absalom takes action. He invites all of his brothers to a celebration for the wool harvesting. In the middle of the festivities, he signals his servants kill Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23–33.

For the next three years, David mourns Amnon while Absalom exiles himself to Geshur where his grandfather is king (2 Samuel 13:37–39). At the end of the three years, Joab convinces David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1–23).

Another two years pass. David refuses to see Absalom or forgive him. After Absalom sets Joab's fields on fire, David agrees to meet and to reconcile (2 Samuel 14:28–33).

For four years, Absalom woos the hearts of the people. He makes grand gestures and pronounces judgment at the gates. When he can rule in someone's favor, he does. When he can't, he tells them he would: if he had the power (2 Samuel 15:1–6).

At the end of those four years, Absalom completes God's curses against David:"Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do t his thing before all Israel and before the sun."

2 Samuel 12:11–12David took Bathsheba in secret (2 Samuel 11:2–4) and killed Uriah in a way no one would connect him with (2 Samuel 11:14–15). Absalom killed Amnon in front of his brothers and servants (2 Samuel 13:28–29) and will sleep with David's concubines in a tent on David's roof (2 Samuel 16:20–22).

Second Samuel 13:37–39 describes Absalom in exile. He has fulfilled a two-year plan of revenge against his half-brother Amnon, killed for raping Absalom's sister Tamar. Knowing he can't go home, Absalom flees to Geshur where his grandfather is king. Three years later, David has mourned sufficiently to invite him back. When Absalom doesn't get the welcome from David he seeks, he plots his revenge against his father.

Chapter Summary:

In this chapter, God's curse that the sword will strike David's house (2 Samuel 12:10) begins to emerge. David's firstborn son Amnon lusts over half-sister Tamar. Tamar fights back, but Amnon first rapes her and then rejects her. David is angry but does nothing. Two years later, Tamar's full brother Absalom murders Amnon. Three years after that, Absalom returns and becomes the enemy in David's house who takes his wives in public (2 Samuel 12:11–12; 15:1–16; 16:21–23).

Chapter Context:

This begins fulfillment of some of God's curses against David (2 Samuel 12:10), and sets the scene for others (2 Samuel 12:11–12). David's oldest son, Amnon, rapes his own half-sister, Tamar. Her full brother Absalom murders Amnon, starting a five-year campaign of vengeance against David. By the end, two of David's sons will be dead, his daughter will be desolate, and David will be deeply humbled (2 Samuel 14—19).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 6/8/2026 10:17:17 AM