Family Verses
God's design for family — love, honor, and commitment that reflect His covenant love.
And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled. {gat...: Heb. rode}
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose {that} they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. {appointment: Heb. mouth} {determined: or, settled}
Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. {as thy...: Heb. according to the word of thy servant}
And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. {very...: Heb. with a great weeping greatly}
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And {David} mourned for his son every day. {Ammihud: or, Ammihur}
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart {was} toward Absalom.
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I {am} indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and {there was} none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. {none...: Heb. no deliverer between them}
And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband {neither} name nor remainder upon the earth. {upon...: Heb. upon the face of the earth}
And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity {be} on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne {be} guiltless.