21 When King David heard about this, he became very angry. But David didn’t punish his son Amnon. He favored Amnon because he was his firstborn son.
22 Absalom wouldn’t speak at all to Amnon. He hated Amnon for raping his sister Tamar.
23 Two years later Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal Hazor near Ephraim. He invited all the king’s sons.
24 Absalom went to the king and said, “Since I have sheepshearers, Your Majesty and your officials are invited ⌊to feast⌋ with me.”
25 “No, Son,” the king answered Absalom. “If we all go, we’ll be a burden to you.” Even when Absalom continued to urge him, David did not want to go, though he did give Absalom his blessing.
26 So Absalom said, “If you won’t go, then please let my brother Amnon go with us.”“Why should he go with you?” the king asked him.
27 But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all ⌊the rest of⌋ the king’s sons go with him.