12
"No," she told him, "don't rape me! That shouldn't be done in Israel. Don't do this godless act!
13
Where could I go in my disgrace? And you will be considered one of the godless fools in Israel! Speak to the king. He won't refuse your request to marry me."
14
But Amnon wouldn't listen to her. He grabbed his sister and raped her.
15
Now, Amnon developed an intense hatred for her. His hatred for her was greater than the lust he had felt for her. "Get out of here," he told her.
16
She said to him, "No, sending me away is a greater wrong than the other thing you did to me!" But he wouldn't listen to her.
17
Then he called his personal servant and said, "Get rid of her. Put her out, and bolt the door behind her."
18
(She was wearing a long-sleeved gown. The king's virgin daughters wore this kind of robe.) So his servant took her out and bolted the door behind her.
19
Tamar put ashes on her head, tore the long-sleeved gown she had on, put her hands on her head, and went away crying.
20
Her brother Absalom asked her, "Has your brother Amnon been with you? Sister, be quiet for now. He's your brother. Don't dwell on this matter." So Tamar stayed there at the home of her brother Absalom and was depressed.
21
When King David heard about this, he became very angry. But David didn't punish his son Amnon. He favored Amnon because he was his firstborn son.
22
Absalom wouldn't speak at all to Amnon. He hated Amnon for raping his sister Tamar.
23
Two years later Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal Hazor near Ephraim. He invited all the king's sons.
24
Absalom went to the king and said, "Since I have sheepshearers, Your Majesty and your officials are invited [to feast] with me."
25
"No, Son," the king answered Absalom. "If we all go, we'll be a burden to you." Even when Absalom continued to urge him, David did not want to go, though he did give Absalom his blessing.
26
So Absalom said, "If you won't go, then please let my brother Amnon go with us." "Why should he go with you?" the king asked him.
27
But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all [the rest of] the king's sons go with him.
28
Then Absalom gave an order to his servants. "Watch now," he said. "When Amnon begins to feel good from drinking [too much] wine, I'll tell you, 'Attack Amnon.' Then kill him. Don't be afraid. I've given you the order, haven't I? Be strong and courageous."
29
Absalom's servants did to Amnon as Absalom had ordered. Then all the king's sons got up, mounted their mules, and fled.
30
While they were on their way, David heard this rumor: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not a single one is left."
31
The king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground. All his servants were standing beside him with their clothes torn [to show their grief].
32
Then Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimea, said, "Sir, don't think that all the young men, all the king's sons, have been killed. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom decided to do this the day his half brother raped his sister Tamar.
33
You shouldn't burden your heart with the idea that all the king's sons are dead, Your Majesty. Only Amnon is dead.
34
Absalom has fled." When the servant who kept watch looked up, he saw many people coming down the road beside the mountain west of him.
35
Then Jonadab told the king, "The king's sons have come. It's just as I said."
36
When he finished speaking, the king's sons arrived and cried loudly. The king and all his men also cried very bitterly.
37
Absalom, however, fled to Geshur's King Talmai, Ammihud's son. But the king mourned for his son Amnon every day.
38
Absalom, having fled to Geshur, stayed there three years.
39
King David began to long for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.