Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
Revenge is sweeter than life itself. So think fools.
-- Juvenal
Absalom waited two years to exact his revenge on Amnon, the heir apparent who had raped his sister Tamar. During that time, he had apparently confided his intention to a few friends perhaps including Jonadab (2 Samuel 13:32 NIV and NET). He planned his revenge during sheep shearing festivities at Baal Hazor, a mountain about 15 miles NNE of Jerusalem. Absalom's revenge mirrored Amnon's sin in many ways (Bergen, 2001, p. 385).
DECEPTION. Just as Amnon deceived King David about his intentions, so Absalom deceived the king. When the king declined Absalom's invitation to the feast, no doubt as Absalom expected, he asked that, in lieu of the king being the honored guest, the heir apparent be the guest. David appeared suspicious but relented when Absalom called him his brother.
TRAP. Just as the king had sent Tamar into a trap devised by Amnon, so now the king sent Amnon into a trap devised by Absalom.
VIOLENT MEAL. Just as the little meal Tamar prepared for Amnon turned violent when Amnon overpowered her, so the feast Absalom prepared for Amnon turned violent when Absalom's men killed him. The other sons of David rose in terror and fled.
The first news to reach Jerusalem was that Absalom had killed all the king's sons. Immediately David rose from his throne just as his sons had risen from the feast. Then he tore his clothes just as Tamar and torn her clothes in grief (Youngblood, EBC, 1992, p. 970). The king, whose adultery with Bathsheba was mirrored by Amnon's rape of Tamar, and whose murder of Uriah was mirrored by Absalom's murder of Amnon (Youngblood, EBC, 1992, p. 969), was overcome with grief. The sword had turned upon his own house. Furthermore, Absalom had just proved himself a fool. Eventually, the sword would consume him also.
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