2 Samuel 13:24

Verse

And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, I pray thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

Bible in Basic English

And Absalom came to the king and said, See now, your servant is cutting the wool of his sheep; will the king and his servants be pleased to come?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he came to the king, and said to him: Behold thy servant’s sheep are shorn. Let the king, I pray, with his servants come to his servant.

Free Bible Version

He went to the king and said, “I, your servant, have hired shearers. Would the king and his servants please join me?”

Geneva Bible 1599

And Absalom came to the King and sayd, Beholde now, thy seruant hath sheepesherers: I pray thee, that the King with his seruants would goe with thy seruant.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Absalom went to the king and said to him, “Sir, my servants have been shearing my sheep. Please come with your officials to celebrate with us!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Absalom went to the king and said, “Look now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please, may the king and his servants go with me, your servant.”

Noah Webster Bible

And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

World English Bible

Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Absalom cometh unto the king, and saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, thy servant hath shearers, let the king go, I pray thee, and his servants, with thy servant.'

Context

Absalom’s Revenge on Amnon

²³Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king.²⁴And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

Summary

This verse depicts King David's reaction upon hearing about the tragic events involving his children, Amnon and Tamar. Despite his grief and anger, David did not immediately take action, showing a lack of decisive leadership in addressing the situation. This passivity ultimately led to further turmoil within his family and kingdom. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of failing to address sin and injustice promptly, highlighting the importance of wise and timely intervention in difficult circumstances.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Absalom came to the king,.... At Jerusalem, to invite him in person: and said, behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; persons employed in shearing his sheep: and this being a time of entertainment and joy: let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants, go with thy servant; he invited the king and the whole royal family to go with him to Baalhazor, and partake of the sheepshearing feast; for by "his servants" are not meant the king's domestic servants, his guard and retinue, but his sons, as appears by what follows.