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 clever man. 4And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” So 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 have my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat, and have her prepare the 3food in my sight, so 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 have my sister Tamar come and 4make me a couple of pastries in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.”

7Then David sent a messenger to the house for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare 5food for him.” 8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was lying in bed. And she took dough, kneaded it, made pastries in his sight, and baked the pastries. 9Then she took the tray and served them to him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “6Have everyone leave me.” So everyone left him. 10Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the 7bedroom, so that I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the pastries which she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon. 11When she brought them to him to eat, he 8took hold of her and said to her, “Come, sleep with me, my sister.” 12But she said to him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for 9such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this 10disgraceful sin! 13As for me, where could I 11get rid of my shame? And as for you, you will be like one of the 12fools in Israel. Now then, please speak to the king, for 13he will not 14withhold me from you.” 14However, he would not listen to 15her; since he was stronger than she, he 16violated her and slept with her.

15Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; indeed, 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 17a 18long-sleeved garment; for this is how the virgin daughters of the king dressed themselves in robes. Then his attendant took her out and locked the door behind her. 1919Tamar took ashes and put them on her head, and 20tore her 21long-sleeved garment which was on her; and 22she put her hand on her head and went on her way, crying out 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 isolated in her brother Absalom’s house. 21Now when King David heard about all these matters, he became very angry. 22But Absalom did not speak with Amnon 23either good or bad; for 24Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23Now it came about after two full years that Absalom 25had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons to celebrate. 24And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; may the king and his servants please go with your servant.” 25But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, so that we will not be a burden to you.” Though he urged him, he would not go; but he blessed him. 26Then 26Absalom said, “If not, please have my brother Amnon go with us.” But the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27Nevertheless Absalom urged him, so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, 27when Amnon’s heart is cheerful with wine, and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have I not commanded you myself? Be courageous and be 28valiant.” 29And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons got up and each mounted 29his mule and fled.

30Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck and killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31Then the king stood up, 30tore his clothes, and 31lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 3232And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, 33responded, “Let my lord not 34assume that they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead; because this has been set up by the 35intent of Absalom since the day that he violated his sister Tamar.