2 Samuel 13:28
ESV
Then Absalom commanded his servants, "Mark when Amnon 's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant."
NIV
Absalom ordered his men, "Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave."
NASB
Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, 'See now, when Amnon’s heart is cheerful with wine, and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have I not commanded you myself? Be courageous and be valiant.'
CSB
Now Absalom commanded his young men, "Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and valiant!"
NLT
Absalom told his men, 'Wait until Amnon gets drunk; then at my signal, kill him! Don’t be afraid. I’m the one who has given the command. Take courage and do it!'
KJV
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
NKJV
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”
What does 2 Samuel 13:28 mean?
Amnon and Absalom are truly brothers. Amnon felt an intense desire for his sister Tamar. He longed for her, tormented that he couldn't have her, so badly it made him physically ill. With a quick idea from his cousin, Amnon managed to trick his father into sending Tamar to his house. He raped her and sent her into the streets where she mourned publicly (2 Samuel 13:1–19).Absalom feels an intense desire to kill Amnon. But he waits, filled with cold hatred, for two years. Only then does he trick David into sending Amnon to him: miles away where Absalom's servants are shearing sheep (2 Samuel 13:22–26).
David may have suspected that Absalom had bad intentions. To assuage David's concerns, Absalom invites all his brothers. David agrees (2 Samuel 13:27).
Absalom instructs his servants on what to do. It seems Absalom doesn't think he is murdering Amnon out of revenge. Absalom may believe he's executing justice against his criminal brother. This is justice their father refused to give. He uses familiar and heroic language from Israel's history to assure his servants that killing Amnon is right and just: "Do not fear…be courageous…be valiant." These are the same encouragements God gave to Joshua before he led the Israelites into the Promised Land where they were to enact God's justice on the evil Canaanites (Joshua 1:9). Absalom seems to think he is the instrument of God's justice against Amnon.
Even so, Absalom doesn't kill Amnon with his own hand. He may be concerned that Amnon might see it coming if Absalom approaches him. But, especially when Amnon is filled with wine, he won't worry about a servant approaching him from behind.
