27. But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all ⌊the rest of⌋ the king’s sons go with him.
28. Then Absalom gave an order to his servants. “Watch now,” he said. “When Amnon begins to feel good from drinking ⌊too much⌋ wine, I’ll tell you, ‘Attack Amnon.’ Then kill him. Don’t be afraid. I’ve given you the order, haven’t I? Be strong and courageous.”
29. Absalom’s servants did to Amnon as Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules, and fled.
30. 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.”
31. The king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. All his servants were standing beside him with their clothes torn ⌊to show their grief⌋.
32. Then Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimea, said, “Sir, don’t think that all the young men, all the king’s sons, have been killed. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom decided to do this the day his half brother raped his sister Tamar.
33. You shouldn’t burden your heart with the idea that all the king’s sons are dead, Your Majesty. Only Amnon is dead.
34. Absalom has fled.”When the servant who kept watch looked up, he saw many people coming down the road beside the mountain west of him.
35. Then Jonadab told the king, “The king’s sons have come. It’s just as I said.”
36. When he finished speaking, the king’s sons arrived and cried loudly. The king and all his men also cried very bitterly.
37. Absalom, however, fled to Geshur’s King Talmai, Ammihud’s son. But the king mourned for his son Amnon every day.
38. Absalom, having fled to Geshur, stayed there three years.
39. King David began to long for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon’s death.