2 Samuel 13:37
ESV
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day.
NIV
Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.
NASB
Now Absalom had fled and gone to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
CSB
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
NLT
And David mourned many days for his son Amnon. Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur.
KJV
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
NKJV
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
What does 2 Samuel 13:37 mean?
Absalom tricked his brothers, his father: everyone. He invited his brothers to a feast to cover the fact that he wanted access to his eldest brother, Amnon. While Amnon drank, Absalom gave a signal, and his servants killed him. Terrified, the other brothers fled home to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 13:23–29).Absalom can't go back. He hurries to the home of his grandfather on his mother's side (1 Chronicles 3:2). Talmai is the king of the nation of Geshur. David married Talmai's daughter Maacah many years earlier, likely for an alliance or peace treaty between the two nations. The territory of Geshur is located to the east of the Sea of Galilee.
The descriptions about David's emotions are confusing, especially in comparison to his actions. After Amnon raped Tamar, David was "very angry," but did nothing to discipline Amnon (2 Samuel 13:21). Now, Absalom has killed Amnon, and David mourns, but we don't know which son he's mourning for. Second Samuel 13:39 says that David longs for Absalom because he's consoled regarding Amnon. So, it seems that at this point, he mourns Amnon, and after a while, he'll long for Absalom.
Even so, David won't invite Absalom back home until Joab pushes him to, three years later. And when Absalom returns, David won't see him (2 Samuel 14:1–24). David is a very emotional person. When he pours his heart out in songs to God, it's a gift to all Bible readers. When it comes to his children, he lets his emotions keep him from proper fathering.
