30. 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.”
31. The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.
32. But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
33. My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”
34. Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”
35. Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come; it has happened just as your servant said.”