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2 Samuel 13:34

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 13:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill-side behind him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill-side behind him.
2 Samuel 13:34 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31Then the king arose, and rent his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king`s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king`s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.
34But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill-side behind him.
35And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king`s sons are come: as thy servant said, so it is.
36And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king`s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. And [David] mourned for his son every day.
← 2 Samuel 13:332 Samuel 13:35 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Absalom fled, etc.] He who promised his servants protection could not protect himself, and who no doubt fled with him; he knew what he had done was death by law, and that there was no city of refuge for such sort of murder as this, and he had no reason to hope the king would suffer so foul a crime as this to pass unpunished: and the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked: to the way that led from Absalom’s house to Jerusalem, to see if he could spy any other messenger on the road from thence: and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him; that is, behind the watchman, who, looking round him, saw them; these people were the king’s sons…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Absalom fled - This is the sequel to 2 Samuel 13:29. The king’s sons rose from table and fled, and Absalom taking advantage of the confusion, also escaped and fled. This information is inserted here to account for the king’s sons returning unmolested. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:34-39 Absalom, now a fugitive, sought refuge among his mother’s family.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Absalom fled: Sa2 13:38; Gen 4:8-14; Pro 28:17; Amo 5:19 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:35”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification