But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
and Absalom urgeth on him, and he sendeth with him Amnon, and all the sons of the king.
But Absalom pressed him; and he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
2 Samuel — David's reign in three movements — rise, fall, consequences — with the Davidic covenant (ch. 7) as the vertical spine down the centre. A covenant held through both rise and fall; a throne established for ever.
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
The verses this one reaches1
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
Voices6
But Absalom pressed him,....
John Gill· Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763)reformed
Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim--A sheep-shearing feast is a grand occasion in the East. Absalom proposed to give such an entertainment at his estate in Baal-hazor, about eight miles northeast of Jerusalem near a town called Ephraim (Jos 11:10).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871reformed
Pressed him - It is strange that his urgent desire of Amnon's company raised no suspicion in so wise a king; but God suffered him to be blinded that he might execute his judgments upon David, and bring upon Amnon the just punishment of his lewdness.
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, 1765evangelical
Withhold - This she spoke, because she thought her royal father would dispense with it, upon this extraordinary occasion, to save his first-born son's life: 15. Hated her - By the just judgment of God both upon Amnon and David, that so the sin might be made publick, and way for the succeeding tragedies.
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament, 1765evangelical
Absalom had so effectually concealed his enmity to Amnon that David saw no reason to suspect any design upon him in that particular invitation: "Let my brother Amnon go;" but this would make the stroke more cutting to David that he was himself drawn in to consent to that which gave the opportunity for it, as before,
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan
Amnon's character, we have reason to think, was bad in other things; if he had not forsaken God, he would never have been given up to these vile affections. Godly parents have often been afflicted with wicked children; grace does not run in the blood, but corruption does.
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan
