2 Samuel 13:24
ESV
And Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant."
NIV
Absalom went to the king and said, "Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?"
NASB
And Absalom came to the king and said, 'Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; may the king and his servants please go with your servant.'
CSB
Then he went to the king and said, "Your servant has just hired sheepshearers. Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?"
NLT
He went to the king and said, 'My sheep-shearers are now at work. Would the king and his servants please come to celebrate the occasion with me?'
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
What does 2 Samuel 13:24 mean?
In this culture, any harvest is an opportunity for celebration (Ruth 3:1–7). David's third son, Absalom, is ready to shear his sheep, and he wants to throw a party. First, he asks David and his servants if they will come.David declines. Between the king, his bodyguards, the courtiers, the servants, and the family, that's way too many people for one young man to feed and house. Absalom presses him; if the king won't come, surely his firstborn can be his representative (2 Samuel 13:25–26). That should have raised danger signals in David's mind. In most situations, it would be a reasonable request. But two years prior, David's firstborn son, Amnon, raped and humiliated Absalom's sister (2 Samuel 13:14–17, 23). David did nothing to discipline Amnon. Absalom now feels personally responsible for avenging his sister's honor. David is torn. After more discussion, David sends Amnon and several of Absalom's other brothers (2 Samuel 13:27).
The entire story is a glimpse into the honor / shame culture of that era. David honors his sons by trusting that they are transparent and good people. Tamar is honorable by offering to marry her brother so he won't rape her and dishonor herself and him. Absalom's honor is more cultural and less godly. Amnon dishonored his sister and therefore himself. Absalom's honor insists that he kill Amnon. Meanwhile, Amnon has no honor at all. Tamar's right to call him a fool (2 Samuel 13:13).
