2 Samuel 13:28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "Mark now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, 'Strike Amnon,' then kill him. Don't be afraid. Haven't I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!"
The setting
Baal Hazor, Palestine, ~1000 BC. A sheep-shearing festival. Absalom pulls his servants aside with specific instructions for murdering his half-brother...
The emotion here: recording premeditated evil with moral horror
The original word
ṭôḇ (טוֹב) — merry, good-spirited, used here of being drunk enough to be vulnerable
Why it matters
Ancient assassination often happened during feasts when victims were drunk and guards relaxed
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 13:28
Absalom had to convince his servants to commit murder — they were hesitant, knowing it was wrong
Common misconceptionPeople think this was a crime of passion after the rape. But Absalom waited two full years, calculating the perfect moment to strike. This was cold, methodical revenge.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 13:28
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 13:28 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 13:28 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Absalom. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 5% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include premeditated murder, revenge. Notable phrases: when Amnon's heart is merry with wine; Strike. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 13:28 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "angry"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.