24. Then he went to David and said, “My servants are cutting the wool from my sheep. Please come and join us!”
25. David answered, “No, my son, we won't go. It would be too expensive for you.” Absalom tried to get him to change his mind, but David did not want to go. He only said that he hoped they would have a good time.
26. Absalom said, “If you won't go, at least let my brother Amnon come with us.”David asked, “Why should he go with you?”
27. But Absalom kept on insisting, and finally David let Amnon and all his other sons go with Absalom.Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king.
28. But he told his servants, “Keep an eye on Amnon. When he gets a little drunk from the wine and is feeling good, I'll give the signal. Then kill him! I've commanded you to do it, so don't be afraid. Be strong and brave.”
29. Absalom's servants killed Amnon, just as Absalom had told them. The rest of the king's sons quickly rode away on their mules to escape from Absalom.
30. While they were on their way to Jerusalem, someone told David, “Absalom has killed all your sons! Not even one is left.”
31. David got up, and in his sorrow he tore his clothes and lay down on the ground. His servants remained standing, but they tore their clothes too.