2 Samuel 13:39the soul of king David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
The setting
Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. King David sits in his palace, three years after his son Amnon's murder by Absalom. The king rules Israel but cannot heal his own family. Modern Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: documenting a king's private anguish while maintaining royal composure
The original word
kālāh (כָּלָה) — consumed, longed intensely, pined away with desire
Why it matters
David had multiple wives and concubines, creating complex family dynamics with 19+ children competing for succession
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 13:39
David was 'comforted' about Amnon's death — suggesting relief that his rapist son was gone
Common misconceptionPeople think this shows David as a weak father, but it reveals the impossible position of grieving one son while longing for another who murdered him.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 13:39
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 13:39 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 13:39 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. The setting is a royal palace. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is lonely, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include longing, forgiveness, healing. Notable phrases: king David longed; was comforted concerning Amnon.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same lonely
“At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why h…”
— Mark 15:34
“Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."”
— Mark 6:4
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…”
— Matthew 27:46
“Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."”
— Genesis 2:18
“I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.”
— Job 30:29
Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 13:39 mean to you, today?
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