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.

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.

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.