‘That the Redeemer of Blood Will Ruin No More’: 2 Sam 13–14

Abstract In this chapter, the problem of innocent blood is traced in Absalom’s killing of Amnon (2 Sam 13) and David’s grudging restoration of him (2 Sam 14). Given Tamar’s understanding of Amnon’s rape of her as a humiliation and an egregious violation of a customary norm (Nebalah) akin to what may be seen in Judg 19, it is not surprising that Absalom views his killing of Amnon as fully justified. However, while David evidently views the rape as reprehensible, the unmistakeable resonances of Amnon’s killing with the account of Nabal (1 Sam 25) suggests that David spares Amnon for the same reason he was persuaded by Abigail to spare Nabal. It is argued that David does so because ‘violations’ however egregious should be left to divine justice, lest ‘bloods’ be invited upon one’s house and kingdom for killing without sufficient cause. It is small wonder that Absalom flees immediately to Geshur given David’s tendency to execute those whom he sees as guilty of illegitimate bloodshed. Joab seeks to restore Absalom by enlisting a Tekoite woman, who appeals to David to spare her fictional fratricidal son in order to persuade him to spare his own son by leaving Amnon’s blood unredeemed. When David allows Absalom’s return and eventual restoration, it is argued that David’s kissing of him signals not his forgiveness, but merely his willingness to leave Amnon’s blood unredeemed, in the hope that these further ‘bloods’ will not come back to haunt David and his house in the meantime.