2 Samuel 13:34
ESV
But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain.
NIV
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."
NASB
Now Absalom had fled. And the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain.
CSB
Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man who was standing watch looked up, there were many people coming from the road west of him from the side of the mountain.
NLT
Meanwhile Absalom escaped. Then the watchman on the Jerusalem wall saw a great crowd coming down the hill on the road from the west. He ran to tell the king, 'I see a crowd of people coming from the Horonaim road along the side of the hill.'
KJV
But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
NKJV
Then Absalom fled. And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, and there, many people were coming from the road on the hillside behind him.
What does 2 Samuel 13:34 mean?
Absalom has had his half-brother Amnon killed by a servant at a feast in the hill country of Ephraim. Now, Absalom flees to avoid being captured and held accountable for the murder. Although Absalom likely believed Amnon deserved to die for raping Absalom's sister Tamar, he also knew that killing the king's firstborn son would bring terrible consequences. No one cared about justice for Tamar (2 Samuel 13:21); but this is murder, and Amnon has many other brothers (1 Chronicles 3:1–9).Absalom isn't the only one running. Absalom's servant killed Amnon at a feast attended by many of their other brothers. When the brothers realize what's happened, they jump on their mules and flee. The men and whatever servants they took with them are riding to Jerusalem.
This is a relief to David. The first messenger told him that Absalom had killed all his sons. This isn't unusual for the time. Gideon's son managed to kill all but one of his half-brothers (Judges 9:1–6). In the future, when Athaliah realizes her son, King Ahaziah, is dead, she will kill nearly the entire royal family (2 Kings 11:1).
Meanwhile, Absalom flees in the other direction, to his maternal grandfather, the king of Geshur (2 Samuel 13:37). He'll stay there for three years before Joab convinces David to bring him back. David agrees, but refuses to see or reconcile with Absalom. Absalom waits another two years before David responds. The damage is done; Absalom decides to take the throne, instead (2 Samuel 14—15).
