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page from Daddy’s playbook

2 Samuel 13:23-39 (JDV)

2 Samuel 13:23 Two years later, Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
2 Samuel 13:24 Then he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired sheepshearers. Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?”
2 Samuel 13:25 The king replied to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he wasn’t willing to go, though he did bless him.
2 Samuel 13:26 “If not,” Absalom said, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?”
2 Samuel 13:27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons.
2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom commanded his young men, “Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and valiant!”
2 Samuel 13:29 So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the rest of the king’s sons got up, and each fled on his mule.
2 Samuel 13:30 While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom struck down all the king’s sons; not even one of them survived!”
2 Samuel 13:31 In response the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
2 Samuel 13:32 But Jonadab, son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, because only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this ever since the day Amnon disgraced his sister Tamar.
2 Samuel 13:33 So now, my lord the king, don’t take seriously the report that says all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”
2 Samuel 13:34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man who was standing watch looked up, there were many people coming from the road west of him from the side of the mountain.
2 Samuel 13:35 Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons have come! It’s exactly like your servant said.”
2 Samuel 13:36 Just as he finished speaking, the king’s sons entered and wept loudly. Then the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.
2 Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
2 Samuel 13:38 After Absalom had fled to Geshur and had been there three years,
2 Samuel 13:39 King David longed to go to Absalom, for David had finished grieving over Amnon’s death.

page from Daddy’s playbook

Absalom took a page from David’s playbook when he plotted to kill Amnon. His motive was revenge for the rape of his sister, while David ordered the death of Uriah to cover up his own infidelity. But both men sought to cover up their sin by having the murder done by others. In neither case did it work.