2 Samuel 13:1-31 ▼

1 And it was after this that Absalom son of David had a lovely sister, and her name was Tamar. And Amnon son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was so distressed that he became sick over Tamar his sister, for she was a virgin, and it was improper in the eyes of Amnon to do anything to her.

3 And Amnon had a friend, and his name was Jonadab son of Shimeah, brother of David. And Jonadab was a very shrewd man.

4 And he said to him, “Why are you so depressed, son of the king, morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am loving Tamar, sister of Absalom my brother.”

5 And Jonadab 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 Tamar my sister come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, so that I may see and eat it from her hand.’”

6 And Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill, and the king came to see him, and Amnon said to the king, “Please let Tamar my sister come and make for me in my sight two cakes, that I may eat from her hand.”

7 And David sent to Tamar, to the house, saying, “Go now to the house of Amnon, to your brother, and prepare for him food.”

8 And Tamar went to the house of Amnon her brother, and he was lying down. And she took the dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his eyes, and she baked the cakes.

9 And she took the pan and placed them out before his face, and he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “Have every man go out from me.” And they went out, every man from him.

10 And Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes that she had made, and she brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom.

11 And she had brought them to him to eat, and he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.”

12 And she answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me, for such should not be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing.

13 And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. And now speak, please, to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

14 And he would not listen to her voice, and he was stronger than she, and he forced her and lay with her.

15 And Amnon hated her with exceedingly great hatred, so that greater the hatred was with which he hated her than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone.”

16 And she said to him, “No, because this is greater evil than the other that you did to me—sending me away.” And he would not listen to her.

17 And he called his servant who attended him, and he said, “Send away, please, this woman from me outside, and bolt the door behind her.”

18 And she had on a tunic of many colors, for such apparel virgin daughters of the king wore. And his servant put her outside, and he bolted the door behind her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and she tore her tunic of many colors that was on her, and she put her hand on her head and went, going on and crying bitterly.

20 And Absalom her brother said to her, “Amnon your brother has been with you, and my sister, keep silent. He is your brother; do not put this thing to heart.” And Tamar was desolate and remained in the house of Absalom her brother.

21 And King David heard of all these things, and he was very hot.

22 And Absalom did not speak to Amnon bad or good, for Absalom hated Amnon, upon the matter that he had disgraced Tamar his sister.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim. And Absalom invited all the sons of the king.

24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, now, your servant has sheepshearers. Let the king go, please, and his servants, with your servant.”

25 And the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, and we will not be a burden to you.” And he urged him, and he would not go, and he blessed him.

26 And Absalom said, “If not, please let Amnon my brother go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”

27 And Absalom urged him, and he sent with him Amnon and all the sons of the king.

28 And Absalom had commanded his young men, saying, “Watch now, when the heart of Amnon is merry with wine, and I say to you?, strike Amnon and kill him. Do not be afraid. Is it not that I have commanded you?? Be courageous and be sons of valor.”

29 And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded, and all the sons of the king arose, and they rode each one on his mule, and they fled.

30 And it came to pass, they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the sons of the king, and not one of them is left.”

31 And the king arose and tore his garments, and he laid down on the ground. And all his servants stood by, with their clothes torn.