Bible Strands
2 Samuel 13:26
“If not,” said Absalom, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.” “Why should he go with you?” the king asked.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Absalom addresses King David after David declines to attend the festival, responding to the refusal by requesting that Amnon accompany the group. David immediately counters by asking why Amnon should go.
The words — The request hinges on יֵֽלֶךְ־ נָא (ye.lekh- na), literally “let him go, please,” a standard Hebrew imperative construction for urging permission. Absalom attaches אִתָּ֖/נוּ (i.Ta./nu), “with us,” to frame the proposal as a family matter rather than a royal decree.
The thread — The pattern of a subordinate pressing a reluctant authority to act repeats in 2 Samuel 13:27 when Absalom urges David again, resulting in the king sending Amnon and the other sons. This diplomatic maneuvering mirrors the tactical language used by Joab in 2 Samuel 3:27 and 2 Samuel 20:9 to isolate his targets.
Why it lands — The text records a direct exchange that demonstrates how polite petitions can function as strategic tools within familial power dynamics. It asks the reader to observe how language shapes compliance without projecting moral intent onto the speakers.
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
Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
- 2 Samuel 11:13 Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he got Uriah drunk. And in the evening Uriah went out to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.
- 2 Samuel 20:9 “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
- 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.