Absalom's transformation from David's rebellious son into Tamar's protective brother marks his first biblical appearance motivated by justice rather than personal ambition.
2 Samuel 13
Amnon's Rape of Tamar
1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
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.
3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
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.”
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.’”
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.”
7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”
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.
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.
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.
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!”
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!
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.”
14However, he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
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!”
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.
17Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Now put this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.”
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.
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.
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.
21But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
Absalom's Revenge and Flight
23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
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.”
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.
26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
27But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
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!”
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.
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!”
31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
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.
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.”
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.
35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
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.
37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
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Theme
This chapter records one of the darkest episodes in David's family, as his son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar through deception and manipulation. When David fails to act decisively against this crime, Absalom takes justice into his own hands by killing Amnon and fleeing into exile. The chapter reveals how sin and injustice within David's household create a cycle of violence that will plague his reign, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy about consequences for David's own sins.
Context
This chapter begins the fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy that violence would arise from David's own house following his sins with Bathsheba and against Uriah.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Amnon's Obsession and Jonadab's Scheme Amnon's inappropriate desire for his half-sister Tamar leads to a deceptive plan orchestrated by his cunning cousin Jonadab.
- 6-10 The Deception Executed David unwittingly enables the scheme by sending Tamar to care for the supposedly sick Amnon.
- 11-19 The Rape and Its Aftermath Despite Tamar's pleas and reasoning, Amnon violates her and then cruelly rejects her, leaving her devastated.
- 20-22 Family Responses Absalom comforts Tamar while harboring hatred for Amnon, and David's anger produces no action.
- 23-29 Absalom's Calculated Revenge After two years of planning, Absalom orchestrates Amnon's murder during a sheep-shearing feast.
- 30-39 The Aftermath and Exile Initial reports suggest all David's sons are dead, but the truth emerges as Absalom flees to Geshur for three years.
Amnon's Rape of Tamar
13:1–13:22 narrative narration anguished
Amnon, David's son, becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar and with Jonadab's help, deceives and rapes her. Tamar pleads for justice but Absalom tells her to remain silent while David, though angry, takes no action.
person_contrast
Absalom's transformation from David's rebellious son into Tamar's protective brother marks his first biblical appearance motivated by justice rather than personal ambition.
Absalom's Revenge and Flight
13:23–13:39 narrative narration mournful
Two years later, Absalom orchestrates Amnon's murder at a sheep-shearing feast as revenge for raping Tamar. David grieves believing all his sons are dead, but learns only Amnon died while Absalom flees into exile.
person_contrast
Absalom's calculated two-year delay before executing vengeance transforms him from David's rebellious son into a methodical architect of familial justice, foreshadowing his later political cunning.
Insights
Absalom's calculated two-year delay before executing vengeance transforms him from David's rebellious son into a methodical architect of familial justice, foreshadowing his later political cunning.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
2 Samuel 13:1 1 reference
2 Samuel 13:4 1 reference
2 Samuel 13:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 8:7 Lexical
He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillful…
Exodus 29:5 Lexical
You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clot…
Genesis 37:32 Lexical
They took the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, “We have found this. Examine it, now,…
Genesis 37:23 Lexical
When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him;
Genesis 37:3 Lexical
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of ma…
2 Samuel 13:19 4 references
Lexicals 4
Esther 4:1 Lexical
Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out i…
Genesis 37:23 Lexical
When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him;
Genesis 37:3 Lexical
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a tunic of ma…
Genesis 37:32 Lexical
They took the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, “We have found this. Examine it, now,…
2 Samuel 13:28 2 references
2 Samuel 13:29 2 references
2 Samuel 13:31 1 reference
2 Samuel 13:32 2 references
2 Samuel 13:36 2 references
2 Samuel 13:37 2 references
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