2 Samuel 13:21

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

2 Samuel 13:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:21

But when King David heard of all these things
Of Amnon's ravishing Tamar, and turning her out of doors in that inhuman manner he did, and of her distress upon it:

he was very wroth;
with Amnon; but we read not of any reproof he gave him, nor of any punishment inflicted on him by him. Abarbinel thinks the reason why he was not punished was because his sin was not cognizable by a court of judicature, nor was punishable by any way, or with any kind of death inflicted by the sanhedrim, as stoning, burning, &c. nor even by scourging, because there were no witnesses; but the punishment of it was cutting off, i.e. by the hand of God. The Jews say

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 a law was made on this, that virgins or unmarried persons should not be alone; for if this was done to the daughter of a king, much more might it be done to the daughter of a private man; and if to a modest person, much more to an impudent one.

F5 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 21. 1.

2 Samuel 13:21 In-Context

19 Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.

20 Avshalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you? but now hold your shalom, my sister: he is your brother; don't take this thing to heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Avshalom's house.

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

22 Avshalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Avshalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 It happened after two full years, that Avshalom had sheep-shearers in Ba`al-Hatzor, which is beside Efrayim: and Avshalom invited all the king's sons.