2 Samuel 13: Amnon forces Tamar, and Absalom has Amnon killed
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What happens?
Amnon, David's son, loves Tamar, the beautiful sister of his brother Absalom, and on the advice of his friend Jonadab he pretends to be sick and asks the king to send her to cook for him. When she brings him the food, he takes hold of her; she begs him not to, but he forces her, then hates her and has her put out, and she goes away crying, with her robe torn and ashes on her head. David is very angry, and Absalom says nothing to Amnon but hates him. Two years later Absalom invites the king's sons to his sheep shearing and has his servants kill Amnon; the first report says all the king's sons are dead, but Jonadab tells David that only Amnon is. Absalom flees to Talmai king of Geshur and stays there three years.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words in this chapter. Jonadab and Amnon speak in verses 4 and 5, and in verse 5 Jonadab gives Amnon the words to say to the king. Amnon speaks to the king in verse 6, to his servants in verse 9 and verse 17, and to Tamar in verses 10, 11 and 15. David sends word to Tamar in verse 7. Tamar speaks in verses 12, 13 and 16, and Absalom speaks to her in verse 20. Absalom and the king speak in verses 24 to 26, and Absalom gives his servants their orders in verse 28. The report that comes to David is in verse 30, and Jonadab speaks to the king in verses 32, 33 and 35. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
In plain English: After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister named Tamar, and Amnon the son of David loved her.
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2Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
In plain English: Amnon was so troubled over his sister Tamar that he made himself sick (this Bible: became sick), because she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
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3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
In plain English: But Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd (or: wise; this Bible: subtle) man.
The Hebrew word: "Subtle" is chakam, which the dictionary gives as "wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)". This Bible says "wise" in 119 of the 133 verses that use it, and "subtle" only here. Joab brings "a wise woman" from Tekoa with the same word in .
What changes: Read as "shrewd" or "subtle", Jonadab is clever at finding a way. Read as "wise", the text gives him the word it usually uses for wisdom. Either way, the plan he gives Amnon is the one in verse 5.
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4He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
In plain English: He said to Amnon, "Son of the king, why are you so weak (this Bible: sad) morning after morning? Won't you tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."
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5Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”
In plain English: Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat. Let her make the food where I can see it, so that I may watch and eat it from her hand.'"
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6So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
In plain English: So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes where I can see, so that I may eat from her hand."
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7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”
In plain English: Then David sent word to Tamar at home (literally: to the house), saying, "Please go to your brother Amnon's house and make food for him."
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8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
In plain English: So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, and he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes where he could see, and baked the cakes.
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9She took the pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Have all men leave me.” Then every man went out from him.
In plain English: She took the pan and served them to him (literally: poured them out before him), but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Send everyone out from me." So everyone went out from him.
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10Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother.
In plain English: Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the room, so that I may eat from your hand." Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the room to her brother Amnon.
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11When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister!”
In plain English: When she brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister!"
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12She answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly!
In plain English: She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force (literally: humble) me! Such a thing is not done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing (this Bible: folly)!
The Hebrew word: "Force" is anah, which the dictionary gives as "to depress". This Bible says "afflict" or a longer form in 43 of the 79 verses that use it, and "humble" or a longer form in 14. In this chapter it is used in verses 12, 14, 22 and 32, and this Bible says "force" or "forced" each time. It is the word for what Shechem did to Dinah: "He took her, lay with her, and humbled her" ().
Good to know: "Folly" is nevalah, which the dictionary gives as "foolishness", "wickedness" and "a crime". Tamar's words, "no such thing ought to be done in Israel", are close to the words in , where Jacob's sons are angry because Shechem "had done folly in Israel ... a thing that ought not to be done", with the same word for folly.
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13As for me, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
In plain English: And I, where could I carry my shame? And you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now please, speak to the king, for he will not keep me from you."
Good to know: Tamar says the king "will not withhold me from you". The law in says, "You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother". Amnon's mother was Ahinoam (), and Absalom's was Maacah (). The text does not say how Tamar's words and the law fit together.
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14However, he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
In plain English: But he would not listen to her voice. Being stronger than she was, he forced (literally: humbled) her and lay with her.
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15Then Amnon hated her with exceedingly great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
In plain English: Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred. The hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, "Get up, go!"
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16She said to him, “Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!” But he would not listen to her.
In plain English: She said to him, "No, because this great wrong of sending me away is worse than the other wrong you did to me!" (The Hebrew of her words is hard to follow.) But he would not listen to her.
Good to know: Word for word, Tamar's words read "No, because of this great evil, more than the other that you did with me, to send me away". The text is hard to follow, and this Bible fills it out. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "Themar spoke to him concerning this great mischief, greater, said she, than the other that thou didst me, to send me away".
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17Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Now put this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.”
In plain English: He called the young man who served him and said, "Now put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door after her."
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18She had a garment of various colors on her, for the king’s daughters who were virgins dressed in such robes. Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her.
In plain English: She was wearing a robe of various colors (or: a long robe with sleeves), because the king's daughters who were virgins wore robes like that. So his servant put her outside and bolted the door after her.
The Hebrew words: "A garment of various colors" is kethoneth passim. The dictionary gives kethoneth as "a shirt", and pas as "a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one ...)". The same two words are used in only one other place: Joseph's "tunic of many colors" (, , ).
What changes: Read as "of various colors", the robe stood out by its colors. Read as "long and sleeved", it stood out by its length and its sleeves. Either way, verse 18 says it was what the king's daughters who were virgins wore, and in verse 19 Tamar tears it.
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19Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
In plain English: Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the robe of various colors (or: the long robe) that she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, crying out as she went.
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20Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
In plain English: Her brother Absalom said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now, my sister, keep quiet. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart." So Tamar stayed in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate (or: ruined) woman.
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21But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
In plain English: When King David heard about all these things, he was very angry (literally: it burned in him very much).
Good to know: The Hebrew says only that David "was very angry". The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) goes on: "but he did not grieve the spirit of his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his first-born." Amnon was David's firstborn (). The Hebrew text does not say what David did.
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22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
In plain English: Absalom said nothing to Amnon, neither bad nor good, because Absalom hated Amnon for forcing (literally: humbling) his sister Tamar.
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23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
In plain English: After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers at Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
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24Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
In plain English: Absalom came to the king and said, "Look, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants come with your servant."
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25The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
In plain English: The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, let's not all go, or we would be a burden to you." Absalom pressed him, but he would not go, though he gave him his blessing.
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26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
In plain English: Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." The king said to him, "Why should he go with you?"
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27But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
In plain English: But Absalom pressed him, and he sent Amnon and all the king's sons with him.
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28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!”
In plain English: Absalom ordered his servants, "Watch: when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then kill him. Don't be afraid. Have I not commanded you myself? Be strong and brave!"
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29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.
In plain English: So Absalom's servants did to Amnon what Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons got up, and each one mounted his mule and fled.
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30While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”
In plain English: While they were on the way, the report reached David: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not one of them is left!"
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31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
In plain English: Then the king got up, tore his clothes and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
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32Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
In plain English: Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered, "Do not let my lord think that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons. Only Amnon is dead. By Absalom's word (literally: on the mouth of Absalom) this has been set since the day Amnon forced (literally: humbled) his sister Tamar.
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33Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”
In plain English: So now let not my lord the king take it to heart and think that all the king's sons are dead, because only Amnon is dead."
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34But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.
In plain English: But Absalom fled. The young man keeping watch looked up and saw many people coming along the road behind him, from the side of the hill.
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35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
In plain English: Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons have come! It is just as your servant said."
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36As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voices and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
In plain English: As soon as he finished speaking, the king's sons came, and they wept aloud (literally: lifted up their voice and wept). The king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.
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37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
In plain English: But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur (or: Ammihud), king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
Good to know: Talmai king of Geshur is the father of Maacah, Absalom's mother (). The Hebrew letters of his father's name spell Ammihur, which this Bible prints; the STEPBible meaning gives it as Ammihud, and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "Emiud".
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38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
In plain English: So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and he was there three years.
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39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
In plain English: King David longed to go out to Absalom (or: King David stopped going out against Absalom), because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.
The Hebrew words: The Hebrew is short and hard. Word for word it reads "and it ended (or: was finished), King David, to go out to Absalom". "Ended" is from kalah, which the dictionary gives as "to end", and also "to cease, be finished, perish" and "to complete, prepare, consume". The same word is used in , "My soul faints for your salvation".
What changes: Read the way this Bible has it, David longed to go out to Absalom, now that he was comforted about Amnon. Read the other way, David stopped going out against Absalom. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "king David ceased to go out after Abessalom". The next verse, , says Joab saw that the king's heart was toward Absalom.
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