2 Samuel 13:12-39 ▼

12 And she answered him, No, my brother, do not treat me shamefully; for no such folly ought to be done in Israel;

13 And as for me, where shall I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be reckoned as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.

14 But he would not listen to her; but, being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her and disgraced her.

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

16 And she said to him, So now, since you have done this great evil to me, you send me away? But he would not listen to her.

17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said to him, Put now this woman out of my house, and bolt the door after her.

18 And Tamar took ashes and put them on her head,

19 And she tore the embroidered garment which she wore; then she laid her hands on her head, and went away crying mournfully.

20 And Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother lain with you? But hold now your peace, my sister; he is your brother; do not take this deed to your heart. So Tamar remained horrified in the house of Absalom her brother.

21 But when King David heard all these things, he was exceedingly displeased.

22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 Now from season to season, Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

24 And Absalom came to the king and said to him, Behold now your servant has sheepshearers; let the king and his servants go with your servant.

25 And the king said to him, No, my son, let us not all now go lest we be burdensome to you. And he pressed him, but he would not go with him, but he blessed him.

26 Then said Absalom, Why should not my brother Amnon go with me? The king said to him, Why should he go with you?

27 But Absalom pressed him that he should let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, Smite Amnon and kill him, fear not; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.

29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man mounted his mule and fled.

30 And while they were on the way, the news came to David that Absalom had murdered all the king's sons and there was not one of them left.

31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, said to him, Let not my lord the king think that all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon alone is dead: for Absalom had been determined to do this from the day that Amnon forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the king think that all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon alone is dead.

34 But Absalom fled. And the watchman lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by the way on the side of the mountain.

35 And Jonadab said to the king, Behold, the king's sons come; as your servant said, so it is.

36 And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voices and wept; and the king and all his servants also wept bitterly.

37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai. the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son many days.

38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

39 And King David longed to go forth after Absalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.