2 Samuel 13:37
New International Version
Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.

New Living Translation
And David mourned many days for his son Amnon. Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur.

English Standard Version
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day.

King James Bible
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

New King James Version
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

New American Standard Bible
Now Absalom had fled and gone to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

NASB 1995
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

NASB 1977
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Absalom had fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

Amplified Bible
But Absalom fled and went to [his mother’s father] Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

Christian Standard Bible
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

American Standard Version
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

English Revised Version
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Absalom, however, fled to Geshur's King Talmai, Ammihud's son. But the king mourned for his son Amnon every day.

International Standard Version
Absalom continued to flee, eventually going to Ammihud's son King Talmai of Geshur, while King David continued to mourn for his son every day.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day.

NET Bible
But Absalom fled and went to King Talmai son of Ammihud of Geshur. And David grieved over his son every day.

New Heart English Bible
And David mourned for his son every day.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

World English Bible
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Absalom has fled, and goes to Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur, and [David] mourns for his son all the days.

Young's Literal Translation
And Absalom hath fled, and goeth unto Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur, and David mourneth for his son all the days.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Absalom fled and went to Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And he will mourn for his son all the days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Absalom fled, and went to Tholomai the son of Ammiud the king of Gessur. And David mourned for his son every day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Absalom, fleeing, went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. Then David mourned for his son every day.

New American Bible
But Absalom, who had taken flight, went to Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur,

New Revised Standard Version
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son day after day.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai. the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son many days.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abishlum had fled and had gone to Tulmai son of Amihud, the King of Geshur, and David sat in mourning over his son many days
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And [David] mourned for his son every day.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But Abessalom fled, and went to Tholmi son of Emiud the king of Gedsur to the land of Chamaachad: and king David mourned for his son continually.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom Flees to Geshur
36And as he finished speaking, the sons of the king came in, wailing loudly. Then the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly. 37Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. 38After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years.…

Cross References
Genesis 37:34-35
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

2 Samuel 14:13-14
The woman asked, “Why have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, since he has not brought back his own banished son? / For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

2 Samuel 18:33
The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 19:4
But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Genesis 50:10-11
When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days. / When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim.

1 Kings 1:1-4
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm. / So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.” / Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. ...

1 Kings 2:1-6
As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, / “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. / And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn, ...

Psalm 35:14
I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.

Psalm 42:9-11
I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” / Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” / Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 55:4-8
My heart pounds within me, and the terrors of death assail me. / Fear and trembling grip me, and horror has overwhelmed me. / I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. ...

Psalm 77:2-3
In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted. / I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah

Isaiah 61:2-3
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Jeremiah 31:15
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 26:37-38
He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. / Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”


Treasury of Scripture

But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

Absalom fled.

Talmai

2 Samuel 3:3
And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

1 Chronicles 3:2
The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:

Ammihud.

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Absalom Ab'salom Ammihud Ammi'hud David Fled Flight Geshur Mourned Mourneth Talmai Three
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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














Now Absalom fled
The Hebrew root for "fled" is "נוס" (nus), which conveys the idea of escaping or taking flight. This action by Absalom is significant as it marks a turning point in his life and the narrative of David's family. Absalom's flight is a response to the murder of his brother Amnon, which he orchestrated as revenge for the rape of their sister Tamar. This act of fleeing indicates a state of fear and urgency, reflecting the consequences of sin and the breakdown of familial relationships. In a broader biblical context, fleeing often symbolizes a separation from God's intended path, highlighting the need for repentance and reconciliation.

and went to Talmai son of Ammihud
Talmai, whose name means "furrowed" or "plowman," was the king of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom northeast of Israel. The mention of "son of Ammihud" provides a genealogical anchor, emphasizing the historical and political connections between Absalom and Geshur. Absalom's maternal grandfather was Talmai, which suggests a strategic retreat to a place of refuge and familial ties. This move underscores the importance of kinship and alliances in the ancient Near Eastern context, where political and familial networks were crucial for survival and support.

the king of Geshur
Geshur was a region located in the area of modern-day Golan Heights. It was a semi-independent kingdom during the time of David. The political landscape of the time was complex, with various small kingdoms and tribes interacting with the larger powers of Israel and Judah. Absalom's refuge in Geshur highlights the geopolitical dynamics of the era, where alliances and enmities shaped the course of history. This also reflects the broader biblical theme of exile and return, as Absalom's time in Geshur is a period of separation from his father and his eventual return to Israel.

But David mourned for his son every day
The Hebrew word for "mourned" is "אָבַל" (aval), which conveys deep sorrow and lamentation. David's mourning is a poignant expression of his grief over the loss of his son Amnon and the estrangement from Absalom. This phrase captures the heartache of a father who is caught in the consequences of familial sin and strife. David's mourning is not just for the physical absence of his son but also for the spiritual and relational brokenness within his family. This reflects the biblical theme of the consequences of sin and the hope for redemption and restoration through God's grace. David's daily mourning serves as a reminder of the enduring love and longing for reconciliation that mirrors God's own heart for His wayward children.

(37) Went to Talmai.--His maternal grandfather. (See Note on 2Samuel 3:2-5.) This verse may be considered parenthetical:--The king's sons came . . . and wept sore. ("Only Absalom fled and went to . . . Geshur.") In this case the omission of "David" in the latter clause of the verse is explained, as the nominative is easily supplied from 2Samuel 13:36.

For his son every day.--Amnon is certainly the son here meant, for whom David continually mourned until his grief was gradually assuaged by the lapse of time.

Verses 37, 38. - So Absalom fled. The triple repetition of these words, and the fragmentary style, make it probable that we have here an abridgment of a longer narrative. So in ver. 35 the words probably are a summary of a more circumstantial account of Absalom's doings after his young men had slain Amnon. (On Talmai and Geshur, see notes on 2 Samuel 3:3.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Absalom
וְאַבְשָׁל֣וֹם (wə·’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

fled
בָּרַ֔ח (bā·raḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly

and went
וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

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

Talmai
תַּלְמַ֥י (tal·may)
Noun - proper
Strong's 8526: Talmai -- 'plowman', a father-in-law of David, also a descendant of Anak

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ammihud,
עַמִּיה֖וּד (‘am·mî·hūḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5991: Ammichur

the king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Geshur.
גְּשׁ֑וּר (gə·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1650: Geshur -- a territory East of the upper Jordan, also inhabitants of Geshur

But David mourned
וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֥ל (way·yiṯ·’ab·bêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 56: To bewail

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his son
בְּנ֖וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

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

day.
הַיָּמִֽים׃ (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 2 Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 13:36
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