2 Samuel 13:3-32

3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of 12Shimeah, 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 3make 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 4dished them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “5Have everyone go out from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the 6bedroom, 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 7took 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 8such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this 9disgraceful thing! 13As for me, where could I 10get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the 11fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for 12he will not withhold me from you.” 14However, he would not listen to 13her; since he was stronger than she, he 14violated 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 15a 16long-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. 1917Tamar put 18ashes on her head and 19tore her 20long-sleeved garment which was on her; and 21she 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 22either good or bad; for 23Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23Now it came about after two full years that Absalom 24had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 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 25urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. 26Then 26Absalom 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 27urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, 28when 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 29valiant.” 29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted 30his 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, 31tore his clothes and 32lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 3233Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, 34responded, “Do not let my lord 35suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the 36intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar.