Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day.
Here is, I. The fright that David was put into by a false report brought to Jerusalem that Absalom had slain all the king's sons, Sa2 13:30. It is common for fame to make bad worse; and the first news of such a thing as this represents it as more dreadful than afterwards it proves.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 13:30-39
But Absalom fled,.... As before related, but here repeated for the sake of what follows: and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur: his mother's father, see Sa2 3:3, where he might hope for protection and safety: and David mourned for his son every day; or "all the days" (q), i.e.
ABSALOM FLEES TO TALMAI. (Sa2 13:37-39) Absalom fled, and went to Talmai--The law as to premeditated murder (Num 35:21) gave him no hope of remaining with impunity in his own country. The cities of refuge could afford him no sanctuary, and he was compelled to leave the kingdom, taking refuge at the court of Geshur, with his maternal grandfather, who would, doubtless, approve of his conduct.