23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 Absalom came to the king and said, Behold, your servant has sheepshearers; I pray you, let the king and his servants go with your servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you. Absalom urged David; still he would not go, but he blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray you, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said to him, Why should he go with you? 27 But Absalom urged him, and he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom commanded his servants, Notice now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine and when I say to you, Strike Amnon, then kill him. Fear not; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and brave. 29 And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose and every man mounted his mule and fled.
30 While they were on the way, the word came to David, Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not one of them is left. 31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the floor; and all his servants standing by tore their clothes. 32 But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead. This purpose has shown itself on Absalom's determined mouth ever since the day Amnon humiliated his sister Tamar. 33 So let not my lord the king take the thing to heart and think all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.