13:23 Baal-hazor. Not the better known Hazor in Galilee, this site was some five miles from Bethel. It may have been chosen by Absalom to facilitate his imminent escape to relatives in Geshur, across the Jordan River (v. 37).

Absalom invited all the king’s sons. The invitation was to participate in the feasting that accompanied the shearing of sheep (cf. 1 Sam. 25:4–8).