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2 Samuel 13:11-21

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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 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."[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 4a long robe[c] 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.[d]
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2 Samuel 13:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 13

This chapter relates some of the evils that were to arise out of David's house, and which were similar to the evils committed by him; the deflowering of his daughter, and the murder of his eldest son: the story is this; Amnon falls in love with Tamar, his sister, and grew thin upon it, which being observed by a friend of his, inquires the reason of it, which having got out of him, forms a scheme for obtaining his desire, and which succeeded; for by it he had the opportunity of ravishing his sister, 2Sa 13:1-14; the consequences of which were extreme hatred of her, hurrying her out of doors, lamentation and mourning on her part, grief to David, and enmity in the heart of Absalom to Amnon, which put him upon meditating his death, 2Sa 13:15-22; and which was brought about after this manner. Absalom had a sheep shearing, to which he invited the king and all his sons, and to which they all came excepting the king, 2Sa 13:23-27; when Absalom gave orders to his servants to observe Amnon when he was merry, and at his word smite him and kill him, as they did, 2Sa 13:28,29; tidings of which soon came to the ears of David, and these aggravated, that all the king's sons were killed, which threw the king into an agony; but Jonadab endeavoured to pacify him, by assuring him that only Amnon was dead, the truth of which soon appeared by the coming of the king's sons, 2Sa 13:30-36; but Absalom fled to Geshur, where he remained three years, when David's heart began to be towards him, and to long for him, who was to bring more evil against him, 2Sa 13:37-39.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 7

  • 1. Leviticus 18:9, 11; Leviticus 20:17
  • 2. Genesis 34:7; Judges 19:23; Judges 20:6
  • 3. [2 Samuel 3:33]
  • 4. Genesis 37:3; Judges 5:30; Psalms 45:14
  • 5. See Joshua 7:6
  • 6. See 2 Samuel 1:11
  • 7. Jeremiah 2:37

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Or humiliate; also verses 14, 22, 32
  • [b]. Compare Septuagint, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  • [c]. Or a robe of many colors (compare Genesis 37:3); also verse 19
  • [d]. Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint add But he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, since he was his firstborn
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.