12
She answered him, "No, my brother, do not violate me, for
1such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this
2outrageous thing.
13
As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of
3the 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." 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
4a long robe with sleeves, 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
5put ashes on her head and
6tore the long robe that she wore. And
7she 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.
22
But Absalom spoke to Amnon
8neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.
Absalom Murders Amnon
23 After two full years Absalom had
9sheepshearers 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
10heart 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
11tore his garments and
12lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments.
32
But
13Jonadab 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
14take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead."
Absalom Flees to Geshur
34 15But 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 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
16But Absalom fled and went to
17Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of
18Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day.
38
19So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39
And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because
20he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.