21. King David heard the news and became very angry, but he did not want to say anything to upset Amnon, because he loved him since he was his firstborn son.
22. Absalom began to hate Amnon. Absalom did not say one word, good or bad, to Amnon, but he hated him because Amnon had raped his sister Tamar.
23. Two years later, Absalom had some men come to Baal Hazor to cut the wool from his sheep. He invited all the king’s sons to come and watch.
24. Absalom went to the king and said, “I have some men coming to cut the wool from my sheep. Please come with your servants and watch.”
25. King David said to Absalom, “No, son. We will not all go. It will be too much trouble for you.” Absalom begged David to go. David did not go, but he did give his blessing.
26. Absalom said, “If you don’t want to go, please let my brother Amnon go with me.” King David asked Absalom, “Why should he go with you?”
27. Absalom kept begging David. Finally, David let Amnon and all the king’s other sons go with Absalom.
28. Then Absalom gave this command to his servants, “Watch Amnon. When he is drunk and feeling good from the wine, I will give you the command. You must attack Amnon and kill him. Don’t be afraid of being punished. After all, you will only be obeying my command. Now, be strong and brave.”
29. So Absalom’s young soldiers did what he said. They killed Amnon. But all of David’s other sons escaped. Each son got on his mule and escaped.
30. The king’s sons were still on their way into town. But King David got a message about what happened. But the message was, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons! Not one of the sons was left alive.”