13 14 Amnon David’s son defileth his sister Tamar.  20 Tamar is comforted by her brother Absalom.  29 Absalom therefore killeth Amnon.

Now after this, so it was, that Absalom the son of David having a fair sister, whose name was [a]Tamar, Amnon the son of David loved her.

And Amnon was so sore vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar: for she was a [b]virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.

But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man,

Who said unto him, Why art thou the king’s son, so lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? Then Amnon answered him, I love Tamar my brother Absalom’s sister.

And Jonadab said unto him, [c]Lie down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father shall come to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and let her dress meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it of her hand.

¶ So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king came to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of [d]cakes in my sight, that I may receive meat at her hand.

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.

¶ So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he lay down: and she took [e]flour, and knead it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

And she took a pan, and [f]poured them out before him, but he would not eat. Then Amnon said, Cause ye every man to go out from [g]me: so every man went out from him.

10 Then Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had set them before him to eat, he took her, and said unto her, Come, lie with me, my sister.

12 But she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing (A)ought to be done in Israel: commit not this folly.

13 And I, [h]whither shall I cause my shame to go? and thou shalt be as one of [i]the fools in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee speak to the king, for he will not deny me unto thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice, but being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred wherewith he hated her, was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her: and Amnon said unto her, Up, get thee hence.

16 And she answered him, [j]There is no cause: this evil (to put me away) is greater than the other that thou didst unto me: but he would not hear her,

17 But called his [k]servant that served him, and said, Put this woman now out from me, and lock the door after her.

18 (And she had a garment of [l]diverse colors upon her: for with such garments were the King’s daughters that were virgins, appareled) Then his servant brought her out, and locked the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent the garment of diverse colors which was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went her way crying.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? Now yet be [m]still, my sister: he is thy brother: let not this thing grieve thine heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

21 ¶ But when King David heard all these things, he was very wroth.

22 And Absalom said unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 ¶ And after the time of two years, Absalom had sheepshearers in [n]Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim, and [o]Absalom called all the king’s sons.

24 And Absalom came to the King, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers: I pray thee, that the king with his servants would go with thy servant.

25 But the King answered Absalom, Nay my son, I pray thee, let us not go all, lest we be chargeable unto thee. Yet Absalom lay sore upon him: howbeit he would not go, but [p]thanked him.

26 Then said Absalom, But, I pray thee, shall not my brother [q]Amnon go with us? And the king answered him, Why should he go with thee?

27 But Absalom was instant upon him, and he sent Amnon with him, and all the king’s children.

28 ¶ Now had Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, kill him, fear not, for have not [r]I commanded you? be bold therefore, and play the men.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon, as Absalom had commanded: and all the king’s sons arose, and every man got him up upon his mule, and fled.

30 ¶ And while they were in the way, tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the King’s sons, and there is not one of them left.

31 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the [s]ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

32 And Jonadab the son of Shimeah David’s brother answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the King’s sons: for Amnon only is dead, [t]because Absalom had reported so, since he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the King [u]take the thing so grievously; to think that all the King’s sons are dead: [v]for Amnon only is dead.

34 ¶ Then Absalom fled: and the young man that kept the watch, lift up his eyes, and looked, and behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side [w]behind him.

35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, [x]so it is.

36 And as soon as he had left speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lift up their voices, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept exceedingly sore.

37 But Absalom fled away, and went to [y]Talmai the son of Ammihud king of Geshur: and David mourned for his son every day.

38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

39 And king David [z]desired to go forth unto Absalom, because he was pacified concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 13:1 Tamar was Absalom’s sister both by father and mother, and Amnon’s only by father.
  2. 2 Samuel 13:2 And therefore kept in her father’s house, as virgins were accustomed.
  3. 2 Samuel 13:5 Here we see that there is no enterprise so wicked that can lack counsel to further it.
  4. 2 Samuel 13:6 Meaning, some delicate and dainty meat.
  5. 2 Samuel 13:8 Or, past.
  6. 2 Samuel 13:9 That is, she served them on a dish.
  7. 2 Samuel 13:9 For the wicked are ashamed to do that before men, which they are not afraid to commit in the sight of God.
  8. 2 Samuel 13:13 Or, how shall I put away my shame?
  9. 2 Samuel 13:13 As a lewd and wicked person.
  10. 2 Samuel 13:16 Or, for this cause.
  11. 2 Samuel 13:17 Or, boy.
  12. 2 Samuel 13:18 For that which was of divers colors or pieces, in those days was had in great estimation, Gen. 37:3; Judg. 5:30.
  13. 2 Samuel 13:20 For though he conceived sudden vengeance in his heart, yet he dissembled it till occasion served, and comforted his sister.
  14. 2 Samuel 13:23 Or, in the plain of Hazor.
  15. 2 Samuel 13:23 To wit, to a banquet, thinking thereby to fulfill his wicked purpose.
  16. 2 Samuel 13:25 Hebrew, blessed.
  17. 2 Samuel 13:26 Pretending to the king that Amnon was most dear unto him.
  18. 2 Samuel 13:28 Such is the pride of the wicked masters, that in all their wicked commandments they think to be obeyed.
  19. 2 Samuel 13:31 Lamenting, as he that felt the wrath of God upon his house, 2 Sam. 12:10.
  20. 2 Samuel 13:32 Hebrew, because it was put in Absalom’s mouth.
  21. 2 Samuel 13:33 Or, take it to heart.
  22. 2 Samuel 13:33 Or, but.
  23. 2 Samuel 13:34 Or, one after another.
  24. 2 Samuel 13:35 That only Amnon is dead.
  25. 2 Samuel 13:37 For Maacah his mother was the daughter of this Talmai, 2 Sam. 3:3.
  26. 2 Samuel 13:39 Or, ceased,

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