2 Samuel 13:30
New International Version
While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.”

New Living Translation
As they were on the way back to Jerusalem, this report reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons; not one is left alive!”

English Standard Version
While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

Berean Standard Bible
While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!”

King James Bible
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left!”

New American Standard Bible
Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck and killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

NASB 1995
Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

NASB 1977
Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

Amplified Bible
Now it happened while they were on the way [back home], that the [exaggerated] report came to David, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

Christian Standard Bible
While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom struck down all the king’s sons; not even one of them survived! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom struck down all the king’s sons; not even one of them survived!”

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

Contemporary English Version
While they were on their way to Jerusalem, someone told David, "Absalom has killed all of your sons! Not even one is left."

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While they were on their way, David heard this rumor: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not a single one is left."

Good News Translation
While they were on their way home, David was told: "Absalom has killed all your sons--not one of them is left!"

International Standard Version
While they were still on the road, this rumor came to David: "Absalom has struck down all of the king's sons and none of them has survived."

Majority Standard Bible
While they were on the way, a report reached David: ?Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!?

NET Bible
While they were still on their way, the following report reached David: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons; not one of them is left!"

New Heart English Bible
And it happened, while they were on the way, that the news came to David, saying, "Absalom has struck down all the king?s sons, and there is not one of them left."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that information came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

World English Bible
While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass—they [are] in the way—and the report has come to David, saying, “Absalom has struck all the sons of the king, and there is not left [even] one of them”;

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass -- they are in the way -- and the report hath come unto David, saying, 'Absalom hath smitten all the sons of the king, and there is not left of them one;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be they in the way, and the report came to David saying, Absalom struck all the king's sons and not one remaining of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And while they were yet in the way, a rumour came to David, saying: Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And while they were still traveling on the journey, a rumor reached David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king, and there is not one of them remaining.”

New American Bible
While they were still on the road, a report reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons and not one of them is left.”

New Revised Standard Version
While they were on the way, the report came to David that Absalom had killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them was left.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And while they were on the way, the news came to David that Absalom had murdered all the king's sons and there was not one of them left.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And while they were on the road, a report came to David that Abishlum had murdered all the sons of the King, and that he had not left a man of them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that the tidings came to David, saying: 'Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when they were in the way, that a report came to David, saying, Abessalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Revenge on Amnon
29So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had ordered. Then all the other sons of the king got up, and each one fled on his mule. 30While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king; not one of them is left!” 31Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.…

Cross References
Genesis 37:31-34
Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. / They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” / His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” ...

1 Kings 13:26-30
When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.” / Then the old prophet instructed his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled it, / and he went and found the body lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. The lion had not eaten the body or mauled the donkey. ...

2 Samuel 18:19-33
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” / So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running. ...

2 Samuel 1:11-12
Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

1 Samuel 4:12-18
That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. / When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out. / Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. ...

1 Kings 1:41-49
Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab. / As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.” / “Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king. ...

2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 19:1-4
Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” / And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.” / So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle. ...

2 Kings 9:17-20
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’” / So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” / So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” ...

2 Kings 11:13-14
When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD. / And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”

Matthew 2:16-18
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 14:9-11
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted / and sent to have John beheaded in the prison. / John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

Mark 6:25-28
At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” / The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. / So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison. ...

Luke 7:11-15
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. / As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” ...

Luke 24:17-21
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stood still, with sadness on their faces. / One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?” / “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

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Absalom Ab'salom David Death Information King's News Report Slain Smitten Struck Tidings Way
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Absalom Ab'salom David Death Information King's News Report Slain Smitten Struck Tidings Way
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














While they were on the way
This phrase sets the scene for a moment of transition and impending revelation. The Hebrew root here suggests movement and journey, both physically and metaphorically. In the context of the narrative, it underscores the urgency and the unfolding of events beyond the control of the characters involved. Historically, travel was fraught with uncertainty, and this phrase captures the tension of the unknown that David and his household were about to face.

a report reached David
The Hebrew word for "report" can also mean "rumor" or "tidings," indicating the nature of communication in ancient times, which was often oral and prone to exaggeration or error. This reflects the vulnerability of leaders to misinformation and the impact of such reports on decision-making. In a spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the importance of discernment and seeking truth amidst chaos.

Absalom has struck down
The phrase highlights Absalom's decisive and violent action. The Hebrew verb used here conveys a sense of deliberate and forceful action. Absalom's rebellion is a pivotal moment in the narrative, illustrating the consequences of unchecked ambition and familial discord. It serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of vengeance and the importance of justice tempered with mercy.

all the king’s sons
This phrase emphasizes the perceived totality of the tragedy. The mention of "the king's sons" underscores the personal and political ramifications for David. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the king's sons were not only heirs but also symbols of dynastic continuity. The loss of all sons would signify a catastrophic end to David's lineage, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

not one of them is left
The phrase conveys a sense of absolute devastation. The Hebrew construction here is emphatic, underscoring the completeness of the reported disaster. This hyperbolic report reflects the fear and panic that can arise from misinformation. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the fragility of human plans and the need for reliance on God's sovereignty, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable loss.

(30) There is not one of them left.--The story of this exaggerated report, so true to the life, indicates contemporaneous authorship.

Verse 30. - Tidings came. Some of the servants seem to have fled immediately that the attack was made, and in their terror reported, not what had really happened, but what they assumed was Absalom's purpose. It shows, however, how thoroughly Absalom had dissembled when thus they entirely forgot that he had a grudge against Amnon. And David, in utter misery, tears his robes, and throws himself prostrate on the ground, while his courtiers, with rent garments, stand speechless round him. But the guilty Jonadab guesses more correctly the truth. He had probably watched Absalom closely, and distrusted his silence. Nothing, perhaps, had happened to justify his suspicions, but as soon as the tidings came he divined the real meaning. And, wicked as he was, he could never have supposed that Amnon would turn upon the woman he had wronged, and insult and disgrace her. He probably imagined that Amnon really loved her, and that the matter would be patched up. But when the wretched youth acted so shamelessly, Jonadab probably felt sure that Absalom would sooner or later take his revenge.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
While they
הֵ֣מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

were
וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

on the way,
בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ (ḇad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

a report
וְהַשְּׁמֻעָ֣ה (wə·haš·šə·mu·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8052: Something heard, an announcement

reached
בָ֔אָה (ḇā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

David:
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

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

has struck down
הִכָּ֤ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

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

sons;
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

one
אֶחָֽד׃ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of them
מֵהֶ֖ם (mê·hem)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

is left!”
נוֹתַ֥ר (nō·w·ṯar)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve


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OT History: 2 Samuel 13:30 It happened while they were (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 13:29
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