2 Samuel 13:25 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David declines to burden Absalom with the whole court but blesses him as he goes.
What Does 2 Samuel 13:25 Mean?
David gently refuses, not wanting the whole household to be a costly burden on his son. Absalom presses the invitation, but the king will not come; instead he blesses him. David's care to spare expense and his fatherly blessing show genuine tenderness, all unaware of the danger.
There is something poignant in a father's blessing given over a son who is planning murder. David means only love and goodwill. Scripture lets the irony stand without comment, deepening the tragedy. The most sincere affection cannot always see the heart of another. Only God reads what lies hidden, and the same Lord who searches every heart also receives a father's blessing as the true love it was meant to be.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 13:25
What does 2 Samuel 13:25 mean?
David declines to burden Absalom with the whole court but blesses him as he goes.