2 Samuel 13:24
New International Version
Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”

New Living Translation
He went to the king and said, “My sheep-shearers are now at work. Would the king and his servants please come to celebrate the occasion with me?”

English Standard Version
And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

Berean Standard Bible
And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

King James Bible
And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

New King James Version
Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

New American Standard Bible
And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; may the king and his servants please go with your servant.”

NASB 1995
Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

NASB 1977
And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

Amplified Bible
Absalom came to [his father] the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

Christian Standard Bible
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? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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?”

American Standard Version
And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, I pray thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

Contemporary English Version
Then he went to David and said, "My servants are cutting the wool from my sheep. Please come and join us!"

English Revised Version
And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I pray thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Absalom went to the king and said, "Since I have sheepshearers, Your Majesty and your officials are invited [to feast] with me."

Good News Translation
He went to King David and said, "Your Majesty, I am having my sheep sheared. Will you and your officials come and take part in the festivities?"

International Standard Version
Absalom had gone to the king to ask him, "I've brought some men to shear the sheep. Won't you please come and join me, along with your senior staff?"

Majority Standard Bible
And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

NET Bible
Then Absalom went to the king and said, "My shearers have begun their work. Let the king and his servants go with me."

New Heart English Bible
Absalom came to the king, and said, "See now, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

World English Bible
Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Absalom comes to the king and says, “Now behold, your servant has shearers, please let the king go—and his servants—with your servant.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Absalom cometh unto the king, and saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, thy servant hath shearers, let the king go, I pray thee, and his servants, with thy servant.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Absalom will come to the king and say, Behold now, shearers to thy servant: now will the king go, and his servants, with thy servant?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he came to the king, and said to him: Behold thy servant's sheep are shorn. Let the king, I pray, with his servants come to his servant.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he went to the king, and he said to him: “Behold, the sheep of your servant are being shorn. I ask that the king, with his servants, may come to his servant.”

New American Bible
Absalom went to the king and said: “Your servant has hired the shearers. Please, may the king come with all his servants to your servant.”

New Revised Standard Version
Absalom came to the king, and said, “Your servant has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants please go with your servant?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Absalom came to the king and said to him, Behold now your servant has sheepshearers; let the king and his servants go with your servant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abishlum came to the King and said to him: “Your Servant has Shearers. Let the King and his Servants go with your Servant”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Absalom came to the king, and said: 'Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, I pray thee, and his servants go with thy servant.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abessalom came to the king, and said, Behold, thy servant has a sheep-shearing; let now the king and his servants go with thy servant.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Revenge on Amnon
23Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king. 24And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?” 25“No, my son,” the king replied, “we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he was not willing to go, but gave him his blessing.…

Cross References
Genesis 37:12-14
Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. / Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. / Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem,

1 Samuel 25:2-3
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. / His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

2 Samuel 14:28-33
Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king. / Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So Absalom sent a second time, but Joab still would not come. / Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. ...

1 Kings 1:9
And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.

1 Kings 2:13-25
Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ...

Genesis 38:12-13
After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had finished mourning, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah. / When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”

2 Samuel 3:2-5
And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; / his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; / his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital; ...

2 Samuel 15:7-12
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’” / “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron. ...

1 Samuel 16:1-5
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” / “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” ...

2 Samuel 12:1-6
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...

2 Samuel 18:18
During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

1 Chronicles 27:29
Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

Matthew 22:1-14
Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables: / “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come. ...

Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ...

John 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, your servant has sheep shearers; let the king, I beseech you, and his servants go with your servant.

let the king

2 Samuel 11:8-15
And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king…

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psalm 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Jump to Previous
Absalom Ab'salom Beseech Cutting Join Officials Please Pleased Servant Servants Shearers Sheep Sheepshearers Sheep-Shearers Wool
Jump to Next
Absalom Ab'salom Beseech Cutting Join Officials Please Pleased Servant Servants Shearers Sheep Sheepshearers Sheep-Shearers Wool
2 Samuel 13
1. Amnon loving Tamar, by Jonadab's counsel feigning himself sick, ravishes her.
15. He hates her, and shamefully turns her away
19. Absalom entertains her, and conceals his purpose
23. At a sheep-shearing among all the king's sons, he kills Amnon
31. David grieving at the news, is comforted by Jonadab
37. Absalom flies to Talmai at Geshur














And he went to the king
This phrase indicates a direct approach to authority, reflecting the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew word for "king" is "melek," which signifies not only a political leader but also a divinely appointed figure. In the context of 2 Samuel, King David is the central authority, and this approach underscores the respect and protocol observed in royal interactions. Historically, approaching a king required courage and purpose, as kings were seen as God's representatives on earth.

and said
The act of speaking to the king is significant, as it implies a formal request or communication. In Hebrew, "amar" is used for "said," which often introduces important dialogue or narrative shifts in Scripture. This word choice highlights the importance of verbal communication in conveying intentions and requests, especially in a royal context where words could have significant consequences.

Your servant
This phrase denotes humility and submission. The Hebrew word "ebed" is used for "servant," which can also mean "slave" or "bondservant." It reflects a position of subordination and loyalty. In the biblical context, referring to oneself as a servant before the king was a customary expression of respect and acknowledgment of the king's higher status.

has had shearers come
Sheep shearing was a significant event in ancient agrarian societies, often associated with festivity and celebration. The Hebrew word for "shearers" is "gazaz," which refers to those who cut or shear. This activity was not only an economic necessity but also a social occasion, often involving feasting and gathering. The mention of shearers sets the stage for a communal event, highlighting the social and economic aspects of the time.

Will the king and his servants please come
This invitation is both a gesture of hospitality and a strategic move. The Hebrew word "na" is used for "please," indicating a polite request. Inviting the king and his servants to a shearing event would have been an honor, suggesting a desire for royal favor or approval. It reflects the cultural importance of hospitality and the social dynamics of seeking the king's presence at significant events.

with your servant?
Reiterating the term "servant" emphasizes the speaker's humility and the relational dynamic between the king and his subjects. It underscores the speaker's role and position within the royal hierarchy. This repetition serves to remind the king of the speaker's loyalty and the honor of having the king's presence at the event, reinforcing the cultural norms of respect and deference to authority.

(24) Came to the king.--Absalom could hardly have expected the king to accept his invitation, but by pressing him to go he effectively disguised his real purpose, and secured David's blessing.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And he
אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙ (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

went
וַיָּבֹ֤א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Your servant
לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (lə·‘aḇ·de·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

has just
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

hired shearers.
גֹזְזִ֖ים (ḡō·zə·zîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1494: To cut off, to shear a, flock, shave the hair, to destroy an enemy

Will the king
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and his servants
וַעֲבָדָ֖יו (wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

please
נָ֥א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

come
יֵֽלֶךְ־ (yê·leḵ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

[me]?”
עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ (‘aḇ·de·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


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OT History: 2 Samuel 13:24 Absalom came to the king and said (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 13:23
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