2 Samuel 13:6-29

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 1make 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 2food 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, “3Have everyone leave me.” So everyone left him. 10Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the 4bedroom, 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 5took 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 6such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this 7disgraceful sin! 13As for me, where could I 8get rid of my shame? And as for you, you will be like one of the 9fools in Israel. Now then, please speak to the king, for 10he will not 11withhold me from you.” 14However, he would not listen to 12her; since he was stronger than she, he 13violated 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 14a 15long-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. 1916Tamar took ashes and put them on her head, and 17tore her 18long-sleeved garment which was on her; and 19she 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 20either good or bad; for 21Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23Now it came about after two full years that Absalom 22had 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 23Absalom 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, 24when 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 25valiant.” 29And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons got up and each mounted 26his mule and fled.