2 Samuel 13

Amnon and Tamar

1Now it was after this that 1Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was 2Tamar, and 3Amnon the son of David loved her. 2Amnon was so frustrated because of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin, and it seemed 4hard to Amnon to do anything to her. 3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of 56Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4He said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” 5Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill; when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat, and let her prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat from her hand.’” 6So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and 7make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

7Then David sent to the house for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.” 8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was lying down. And she took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9She took the pan and 8dished them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “9Have everyone go out from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the 10bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon. 11When she brought them to him to eat, he 11took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for 12such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this 13disgraceful thing! 13As for me, where could I 14get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the 15fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for 16he will not withhold me from you.” 14However, he would not listen to 17her; since he was stronger than she, he 18violated her and lay with her.

15Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!” 16But she said to him, “No, because this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me!” Yet he would not listen to her. 17Then he called his young man who attended him and said, “Now throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her.” 18Now she had on 19a 20long-sleeved garment; for in this manner the virgin daughters of the king dressed themselves in robes. Then his attendant took her out and locked the door behind her. 1921Tamar put 22ashes on her head and 23tore her 24long-sleeved garment which was on her; and 25she put her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.

20Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry. 22But Absalom did not speak to Amnon 26either good or bad; for 27Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23Now it came about after two full years that Absalom 28had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

Absalom Avenges Tamar

24Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you.” Although he 29urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. 26Then 30Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27But when Absalom 31urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, 32when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be 33valiant.” 29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted 34his mule and fled.

30Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31Then the king arose, 35tore his clothes and 36lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 3237Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, 38responded, “Do not let my lord 39suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the 40intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. 33Now therefore, do not let my lord the king 41take the report to 42heart, namely, ‘all the king’s sons are dead,’ for only Amnon is dead.”

34Now 43Absalom had fled. And 44the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come; according to your servant’s word, so it happened.” 36As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servants wept 45very bitterly.

37Now 46Absalom fled and went to 47Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of 48Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 3849So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years. 39The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for 50he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.