2 Samuel 13

This chapter details a tragic story within King David’s family, beginning with the violation of Tamar by her half-brother Amnon. It leads to deep family conflict, deceit, and violence. The events illustrate the destructive consequences of unchecked desires and the resulting turmoil that shakes David’s household.

2 Samuel 13:1-5 (NKJV)
1 After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her.
3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.
4 And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
5 So Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”

Amnon, obsessed with Tamar, his half-sister, is consumed by his unhealthy desire for her, yet he knows it is wrong. His emotions lead him into turmoil. Jonadab, Amnon’s cousin, devises a deceptive plan to manipulate King David and Tamar, encouraging Amnon to feign illness and request Tamar’s care, which sets the stage for tragic events.

2 Samuel 13:6 (NKJV)
6 Then Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let Tamar, my sister, come and make a couple of cakes for me in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

Amnon follows Jonadab’s deceitful plan, pretending to be ill. He asks David to send Tamar to prepare food for him, thus creating the opportunity to be alone with her.

2 Samuel 13:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Now go to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”
8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. Then she took flour and kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
9 And she took the pan and placed them out before him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said, “Have everyone go out from me.” And they all went out from him.

David unknowingly sends Tamar into a dangerous situation, following Amnon’s request. Tamar, innocent and obedient, prepares the meal for her brother, but Amnon’s refusal to eat signals his hidden intentions. By dismissing the servants, Amnon isolates Tamar, intensifying the tension.

2 Samuel 13:10-13 (NKJV)
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom.
11 Now when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.”
12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should 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. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”

Amnon reveals his intentions, grabbing Tamar and demanding that she lie with him. Tamar resists, appealing to both moral and social norms. She begs him not to commit such a disgraceful act, explaining the shame it would bring upon her and the dishonor it would bring to him. In desperation, she even suggests seeking permission from the king, though it seems unlikely.

2 Samuel 13:14 (NKJV)
14 However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.

Amnon, driven by lust and overpowering Tamar physically, tragically forces himself on her, committing a heinous act of sexual violence. This marks a turning point, leading to lasting damage in David’s family.

2 Samuel 13:15-17 (NKJV)
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 So she said to him, “No, indeed! This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me.” But he would not listen to her.
17 Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, “Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her.”

Amnon’s lust turns into hatred after he has violated Tamar, indicating that his “love” was only a selfish desire. He cruelly dismisses her, despite her protests that being thrown out would deepen her disgrace. Amnon's callous behavior is intensified by his order to lock her out.

2 Samuel 13:18-19 (NKJV)
18 Now she had on a robe of many colors, for the king’s virgin daughters wore such apparel. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her.
19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly.

Tamar’s outward appearance, wearing a royal robe, underscores her status as a virgin daughter of the king. After being cast out, she visibly mourns by tearing her robe, covering herself in ashes, and crying, symbolizing the depth of her humiliation and grief.

2 Samuel 13:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

Absalom, sensing what has happened, comforts Tamar, although his words may seem dismissive. Tamar lives in isolation in Absalom’s house, her future destroyed. David, upon hearing the news, is furious, but the text suggests he takes no immediate action, which complicates the family dynamic.

2 Samuel 13:22 (NKJV)
22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Absalom conceals his emotions toward Amnon, harboring deep hatred for the injustice done to Tamar. This sets the stage for Absalom’s eventual revenge.

2 Samuel 13:23-25 (NKJV)
23 And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim. So Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheep-shearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him.

Two years pass, during which Absalom carefully plans his revenge. He uses the occasion of sheep-shearing, a festive event, to invite David and the king’s sons. David declines the invitation but gives Absalom his blessing.

2 Samuel 13:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
27 But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

Absalom insists that Amnon accompany them, which raises David’s suspicion, but Absalom’s persistence convinces the king to allow Amnon and the others to go, unknowingly playing into Absalom’s plot for vengeance.

2 Samuel 13:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”
29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled.

Absalom, waiting for the right moment, orders his servants to kill Amnon once he is drunk. His command is carried out, and Amnon is murdered. The other sons, witnessing the event, flee in fear, marking the beginning of a deep family rift.

2 Samuel 13:30-32 (NKJV)
30 And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left!”
31 So the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32 Then Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.”

Misinformation reaches David, who initially believes that all his sons have been killed by Absalom. In his grief, David tears his clothes and lies on the ground. Jonadab, the same man who helped devise Amnon's initial plan, clarifies that only Amnon has been killed and reveals that Absalom had been planning this since Tamar's violation.

2 Samuel 13:33 (NKJV)
33 Now therefore, let not 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.”

Jonadab urges David not to be overly distressed, emphasizing that only Amnon has died. His calm reassurance seems calculated, as Jonadab appears to have known more about Absalom’s intentions from the start.

2 Samuel 13:34-36 (NKJV)
34 Then Absalom fled. And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, and there, many people were coming from the road on the hillside behind him.
35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.”
36 So it was, as soon as he had finished speaking, that the king’s sons indeed came, and they lifted up their voice and wept. Also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly.

Absalom flees after killing Amnon, likely aware that his actions would lead to severe consequences. Meanwhile, David's sons return, confirming Jonadab's words. Upon arrival, they join David in bitter mourning, lamenting the loss of Amnon and the fractured state of the family.

2 Samuel 13:37-38 (NKJV)
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

Absalom escapes to his maternal grandfather’s kingdom in Geshur for refuge, staying there for three years. During this time, David mourns for Amnon, but his grief also includes a longing for Absalom, indicating the deep love and complexity within David’s family relationships.

2 Samuel 13:39 (NKJV)
39 And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

As time passes, David finds some solace over Amnon’s death. However, his heart turns toward Absalom, revealing David’s internal struggle between justice for Amnon’s murder and the deep fatherly love he still holds for Absalom. This longing sets the stage for future events between father and son.