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13 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

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

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

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

16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.

17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

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

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

31 Then the king arose, and tare 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, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

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 Amnon only is dead.

34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.

36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.

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.

39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

Amnón y Tamar

13 Absalón, el hijo de David, tenía una hermana muy hermosa llamada Tamar. Y Amnón, que era otro de los hijos de David, se enamoró de ella. Era tal su pasión por Tamar que se enfermó de angustia; pero, como ella era virgen, veía muy difícil llegar a poseerla. Sin embargo, Amnón tenía un amigo muy astuto llamado Jonadab, el cual era sobrino de David, pues era hijo de Simea, hermano de David. Un día, Jonadab le preguntó a Amnón:

«Oye, cada día te veo más delgado. ¡Y tú eres el hijo del rey! ¿No me vas a decir qué te pasa?»

Entonces Amnón le dijo:

«Es que estoy enamorado de Tamar, la hermana de mi hermano Absalón.»

Entonces Jonadab le aconsejó:

«Métete a la cama, y finge que estas enfermo. Y cuando tu padre venga a visitarte, dile: “¡Por favor, que venga mi hermana Tamar! Que me prepare algo y me dé de comer. Si ella lo prepara, yo comeré.”»

Amnón fue y se acostó, fingiendo estar enfermo. Y cuando el rey llegó a visitarlo, Amnón le dijo:

«¡Por favor, que venga mi hermana Tamar! Que me prepare un par de hojuelas, para que yo coma de su mano.»

David llamó a Tamar de su casa, y le dijo:

«Ve por favor a la casa de tu hermano Amnón, y hazle algo de comer.»

Tamar fue a la casa de su hermano Amnón, que estaba acostado. Al llegar, tomó harina y la amasó, e hizo ante él unas hojuelas y las coció. Luego sacó de la sartén las hojuelas y se las sirvió, pero él no quiso comer, sino que ordenó que todos sus sirvientes salieran. En cuanto estuvieron solos, 10 Amnón le dijo a Tamar:

«Trae las hojuelas a mi alcoba, y sírveme de comer.»

Tamar llevó a su hermano las hojuelas que le había preparado, 11 y en cuanto ella las puso delante de Amnón, él la agarró y le dijo:

«Ven, hermanita; ¡acuéstate conmigo!»

12 Pero ella le respondió:

«No, hermano mío, ¡no te aproveches de mí! ¡Eso no se hace en Israel! ¡No cometas tal vileza! 13 Si me deshonras, ¿adónde podría yo ir a esconderme? Además, tú serías señalado en Israel como un hombre perverso. Yo te ruego que hables con el rey. Él no se opondrá a que yo sea tu esposa.»

14 Pero Amnón no quiso escucharla sino que, siendo más fuerte que ella, la obligó a acostarse con él y la violó. 15 Pero después de violarla, el odio que sintió por ella fue mayor que el amor que le había tenido, así que le ordenó:

«¡Levántate, y lárgate!»

16 Ella le dijo:

«¡No me hagas eso! ¡Si me echas de tu casa, me harás un daño mayor que el de haberme violado!»

Pero Amnón no le hizo caso, 17 sino que llamó a su criado y le ordenó:

«¡Echa a esta mujer fuera de mi casa! Y en cuanto la eches, ¡cierra la puerta!»

18 En efecto, el criado de Amnón la echó fuera de la casa, y enseguida cerró la puerta. Y Tamar, que llevaba puesto un vestido de colores, como el que usaban todas las hijas de los reyes, cuando eran vírgenes, 19 se rasgó el vestido de colores, se echó ceniza sobre la cabeza, y con la cabeza entre sus manos se fue gritando.

Absalón se venga y huye

20 Luego, su hermano Absalón le preguntó:

«¿Así que tu hermano Amnón se acostó contigo? Pues no digas nada de esto, hermana mía, sino tranquilízate, porque es tu hermano.»

Tamar, muy desconsolada, se quedó en casa de su hermano Absalón. 21 El rey David se enteró de lo que Amnón había hecho, y se llenó de ira. 22 Absalón, por su parte, aunque aborrecía a su hermano Amnón por haber violado a Tamar su hermana, no le dijo absolutamente nada. 23 Pero dos años después, Absalón tenía gente trasquilando sus ovejas en Baal Jasor, cerca del pueblo de Efraín, así que invitó a todos los hijos del rey a una comida. 24 Fue a ver al rey, y le dijo:

«Tengo hombres trasquilando mis ovejas. Ruego a Su Majestad me honre con su compañía. También pueden acompañarlo sus siervos.»

25 Pero el rey le dijo:

«No, hijo mío. Si vamos todos, ¡te haremos gastar demasiado!»

Y el rey no quiso ir, aunque le dio su bendición. Sin embargo, Absalón insistió:

26 «Si no puedes venir, te ruego que dejes ir a mi hermano Amnón.»

Y el rey le preguntó:

«¿Y por qué quieres que vaya?»

27 Y tanto insistió Absalón que el rey dejó ir a Amnón y a todos sus hijos. 28 Pero Absalón ya había instruido a sus sirvientes:

«Manténganse atentos para cuando vean que el vino ya ha puesto muy alegre a Amnón, y a una orden mía ustedes lo matarán. No tengan miedo, que ustedes sólo estarán cumpliendo mis órdenes. ¡Ánimo, y mucho valor!»

29 Y así, los siervos de Absalón, siguiendo sus órdenes, mataron a Amnón. Entonces los otros hijos del rey montaron en sus mulas y huyeron.

30 Todavía estaban ellos en camino cuando llegó a oídos de David que Absalón había matado a todos los hijos del rey, y que ninguno había quedado con vida. 31 Entonces David se levantó de su trono, se rasgó los vestidos y se tendió en el suelo, lo mismo que todos sus siervos. 32 Pero allí estaba su sobrino, Jonadab hijo de Simea, y éste le dijo:

«Que no le mientan, Su Majestad. No han muerto todos sus hijos. Sólo ha muerto Amnón, pues así lo había decidido Absalón desde el día en que Amnón violó a su hermana Tamar. 33 No crea Su Majestad ese rumor de que todos sus hijos han muerto. El único que ha muerto es Amnón.»

34 Mientras tanto, Absalón huyó. Y cuando el joven que vigilaba el camino vio que del lado del monte venía mucha gente, justamente a sus espaldas, corrió a dar el aviso. 35 Entonces Jonadab le dijo al rey:

«Allí vienen los hijos de Su Majestad, tal y como este siervo suyo le había dicho.»

36 Apenas había dicho esto cuando entraron los hijos del rey, llorando amargamente. Entonces el rey y sus sirvientes se unieron al llanto, en medio de grandes lamentos.

37 Absalón huyó a tierras de Talmay hijo de Amiud, que era rey de Gesur.(A) Y David lloraba todos los días por su hijo Amnón. 38 Absalón, por su parte, huyó a Gesur, y allí se quedó tres años. 39 Y cuando David se consoló por la muerte de Amnón, sintió deseos de ver a Absalón.

Amnon and Tamar

13 After this (A)Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was (B)Tamar; and (C)Amnon the son of David loved her. 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. But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab (D)the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man. 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.”

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.’ ” 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 (E)make a couple of cakes for me in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

And David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Now go to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.” 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. And she took the pan and placed them out before him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said, (F)“Have everyone go out from me.” And they all went out from him. 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, (G)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 [a]force me, for (H)no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this (I)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; (J)for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he (K)forced her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her [b]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.” 18 Now she had on (L)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 (M)ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and (N)laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly. 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. 22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon (O)neither good nor bad. For Absalom (P)hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Absalom Murders Amnon

23 And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom (Q)had sheepshearers 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 sheepshearers; 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.

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.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s (R)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 [c]valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom (S)did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on (T)his mule and fled.

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 (U)tore his garments and (V)lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Then (W)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. 33 Now therefore, (X)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.”

Absalom Flees to Geshur

34 (Y)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 [d]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.

37 But Absalom fled and went to (Z)Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to (AA)Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And [e]King David [f]longed to go to Absalom. For he had been (AB)comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 13:12 Lit. humble me
  2. 2 Samuel 13:15 with a very great hatred
  3. 2 Samuel 13:28 Lit. sons of valor
  4. 2 Samuel 13:34 LXX adds And the watchman went and told the king, and said, “I see men from the way of Horonaim, from the regions of the mountains.”
  5. 2 Samuel 13:39 So with MT, Syr., Vg.; LXX the spirit of the king; Tg. the soul of King David
  6. 2 Samuel 13:39 So with MT, Tg.; LXX, Vg. ceased to pursue after

Amnon and Tamar

13 In the course of time, Amnon(A) son of David fell in love with Tamar,(B) the beautiful sister of Absalom(C) son of David.

Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.

Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah,(D) David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”

Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

“Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”

So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.”

David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat.

“Send everyone out of here,”(E) Amnon said. So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. 11 But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed(F) her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”(G)

12 “No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel!(H) Don’t do this wicked thing.(I) 13 What about me?(J) Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” 14 But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.(K)

15 Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”

16 “No!” she said to him. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.”

But he refused to listen to her. 17 He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her.” 18 So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. She was wearing an ornate[a] robe,(L) for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. 19 Tamar put ashes(M) on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.

20 Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.

21 When King David heard all this, he was furious.(N) 22 And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad;(O) he hated(P) Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.

Absalom Kills Amnon

23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers(Q) were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. 24 Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”

25 “No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.

26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.”

The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.

28 Absalom(R) ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high(S) spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.(T) 29 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

30 While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.” 31 The king stood up, tore(U) his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.

32 But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar. 33 My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled.

Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”[b]

35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come; it has happened just as your servant said.”

36 As he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his attendants wept very bitterly.

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

38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years. 39 And King David longed to go to Absalom,(W) for he was consoled(X) concerning Amnon’s death.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 13:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain; also in verse 19.
  2. 2 Samuel 13:34 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have this sentence.

Amnon and Tamar

13 Now (A)Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was (B)Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of (C)Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.” 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, ‘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.’” So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and (D)make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him.” So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. And she took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, (E)“Send out everyone from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate[a] me, for (F)such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this (G)outrageous thing. 13 As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of (H)the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, 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, “Get up! Go!” 16 But she said to him, “No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.”[b] But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who served him and said, “Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her.” 18 Now she was wearing (I)a long robe with sleeves,[c] for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. 19 And Tamar (J)put ashes on her head and (K)tore the long robe that she wore. And (L)she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.

20 And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom's house. 21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.[d] 22 But Absalom spoke to Amnon (M)neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.

Absalom Murders Amnon

23 After two full years Absalom had (N)sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. 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, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 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 pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's (O)heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.

30 While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose and (P)tore his garments and (Q)lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32 But (R)Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king so (S)take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”

Absalom Flees to Geshur

34 (T)But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him[e] by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” 36 And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly.

37 (U)But Absalom fled and went to (V)Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of (W)Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. 38 (X)So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the spirit of the king[f] longed to go out[g] to Absalom, because (Y)he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 13:12 Or humiliate; also verses 14, 22, 32
  2. 2 Samuel 13:16 Compare Septuagint, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  3. 2 Samuel 13:18 Or a robe of many colors (compare Genesis 37:3); compare long robe, verse 19
  4. 2 Samuel 13:21 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint add But he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, since he was his firstborn
  5. 2 Samuel 13:34 Septuagint the Horonaim Road
  6. 2 Samuel 13:39 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint; Hebrew David
  7. 2 Samuel 13:39 Compare Vulgate ceased to go out