2 Samuel 13:28 Meaning and Explanation
“Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Absalom orders his servants to kill Amnon at his signal, when Amnon is drunk and defenseless.
What Does 2 Samuel 13:28 Mean?
Absalom's plot is now revealed. He has commanded his servants to watch until Amnon is merry with wine, then to strike and kill at his word. He steadies them with assurances — fear not, be courageous — taking the guilt upon himself as the one who commands. The murder is cold, premeditated, and calculated to the moment.
This is vengeance hardened into murder, evil answering evil. Absalom does to Amnon what Amnon did to Tamar: he waits, he plans, he uses a moment of vulnerability. Two great wrongs now stain the house of David. Scripture sets them side by side so we see that private vengeance does not cleanse a wrong but doubles it. Justice belongs to God, and the one who seizes it for himself only adds his own sin to the tally.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 13:28
What does 2 Samuel 13:28 mean?
Absalom orders his servants to kill Amnon at his signal, when Amnon is drunk and defenseless.