Bible Strands
2 Samuel 13:24
And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Absalom approaches King David to extend a formal invitation for the monarch and his court to attend the sheepshearing festival at Baal-hazor.
The words — The Hebrew גֹזְזִים (go.ze.Zim) specifies the hired shearers, while הִנֵּה (hi.neh) and נָא (na') combine to literally mean "here! please," framing the request as a courteous summons.
The thread — This diplomatic overture echoes the tactical summons in 2 Samuel 11:8 and aligns with the warning against flattering speech in Psalms 12:2 and Psalms 55:21.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to recognize how formal hospitality can conceal strategic maneuvering, demanding careful discernment between spoken courtesy and underlying intent.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 11:8 Then he said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him.
- Psalms 12:2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
- Psalms 55:21 His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
- Jeremiah 41:6 And Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them, weeping as he went. When Ishmael encountered the men, he said, “Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam.”