2 Samuel 13:12

12 And she saith to him, `Nay, my brother, do not humble me, for it is not done so in Israel; do not this folly.

2 Samuel 13:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 13:12

And she answered him, nay, my brother
Which carried in it a reason sufficient for her denial, that he was her brother, and she his sister, and therefore should not offer such an indignity to her:

do not force me;
which was another forbidding expression, signifying she would never freely yield to his will; and to force her, to defile her against her will, to commit a rape upon her, would be very criminal indeed:

for no such thing ought to be done in Israel;
among God's professing people, who were better taught and instructed; and to give into such impure practices would bring a dishonour upon them, and upon the religion they professed; she urges the honour of religion, and the reputation of Israel, and the glory of the God of Israel:

do not thou this folly:
as all sin is, especially such an impure and indecent action as this.

2 Samuel 13:12 In-Context

10 And Amnon saith unto Tamar, `Bring the food into the inner chamber, and I eat from thy hand;' and Tamar taketh the cakes that she hath made, and bringeth in to Amnon her brother, into the inner chamber,
11 and she bringeth nigh unto him to eat, and he layeth hold on her, and saith to her, `Come, lie with me, my sister.'
12 And she saith to him, `Nay, my brother, do not humble me, for it is not done so in Israel; do not this folly.
13 And I -- whither do I cause my reproach to go? and thou -- thou art as one of the fools in Israel; and now, speak, I pray thee, unto the king; for he doth not withhold me from thee.'
14 And he hath not been willing to hearken to her voice, and is stronger than she, and humbleth her, and lieth with her.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.