2 Samuel 13

Amnon and Tamar

1 After this a Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was b Tamar; and c Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab d the son of Shimeah, David's brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man. 4 And he said to him, "Why are you, the king's son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." 5 So Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.' " 6 Then Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let Tamar my sister come and e make a couple of cakes for me in my sight, that I may eat from her hand."

7 And David sent home to Tamar, saying, "Now go to your brother Amnon's house, and prepare food for him." 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was lying down. Then she took flour and kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9 And she took the pan and placed them out before him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said, f "Have everyone go out from me." And they all went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand." And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom. 11 Now when she had brought them to him to eat, g he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister." 12 But she answered him, "No, my brother, do not 1 force me, for h no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this i disgraceful thing! 13 "And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; j for he will not withhold me from you." 14 However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he k forced her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her 2 exceedingly, 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, "Arise, be gone!" 16 So she said to him, "No, indeed! This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me." But he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, "Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her." 18 Now she had on l a robe of many colors, for the king's virgin daughters wore such apparel. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her. 19 Then Tamar put m ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and n laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly.

20 And Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart." So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. 21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon o neither good nor bad. For Absalom p hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Absalom Murders Amnon

23 And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom q had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, "Kindly note, 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 now, lest we be a burden to you." Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him. 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 urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, "Watch now, when Amnon's r heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon!' then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and 3 valiant." 29 So the servants of Absalom s did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each one got on t his mule and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and not one of them is left!" 31 So the king arose and u tore his garments and v lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Then w Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, "Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 "Now therefore, x let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead."

Absalom Flees to Geshur

34 y Then Absalom fled. And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, and there, many people were coming from the road on the hillside behind 4 him. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is." 36 So it was, as soon as he had finished speaking, that the king's sons indeed came, and they lifted up their voice and wept. Also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly.

37 But Absalom fled and went to z Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to a Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And 5 King David 6 longed to go to Absalom. For he had been b comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

  1. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 20:2
    Then David took their king's crown from his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it. And it was set on David's head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  2. Cross References
    2 Samuel 3:2
    Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess.
    2 Samuel 3:3
    His second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
    1 Chronicles 3:2
    The third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith.
  3. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 3:9
    These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 3:2
    Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess.
  5. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:9
    Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one.
  6. Cross References
    Genesis 18:6
    So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 45:1
    Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 39:12
    That she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.
    Deuteronomy 27:22
    'Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'
    Ezekiel 22:11
    One commits abomination with his neighbor's wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father's daughter.
  9. Cross References
    Leviticus 18:9 - 11
    The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover.
    Leviticus 20:17
    If a man takes his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a wicked thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness. He shall bear his guilt.
  10. Cross References
    Genesis 34:7
    And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done.
    Judges 19:23
    But the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brethren! I beg you, do not act so wickedly! Seeing this man has come into my house, do not commit this outrage.
    Judges 20:6
    So I took hold of my concubine, cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of the inheritance of Israel, because they committed lewdness and outrage in Israel.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 20:12
    But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
  12. Cross References
    Leviticus 18:9
    The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover.
    Deuteronomy 22:25
    But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.
    Deuteronomy 27:22
    'Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'
    2 Samuel 12:11
    Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
  13. Cross References
    Genesis 37:3
    Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.
    Judges 5:30
    'Are they not finding and dividing the spoil: To every man a girl or two; For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, Plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, Two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?'
    Psalms 45:13
    The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; Her clothing is woven with gold.
    Psalms 45:14
    She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors; The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.
  14. Cross References
    Joshua 7:6
    Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
    2 Samuel 1:2
    On the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
    Job 2:12
    And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven.
    Job 42:6
    Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.
  15. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:37
    Indeed you will go forth from him With your hands on your head; For the LORD has rejected your trusted allies, And you will not prosper by them.
  16. Cross References
    Genesis 24:50
    Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
    Genesis 31:24
    But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.
  17. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:17
    You shall not hate your brother in your heart. ...
    Leviticus 19:18
    You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grud...
    1 John 2:9
    He who says he is in the light, and hates his b...
    1 John 2:11
    But he who hates his brother is in darkness and...
    1 John 3:10
    In this the children of God and the children of...
    1 John 3:12
    Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murde...
    1 John 3:15
    Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and yo...
  18. Cross References
    Genesis 38:12
    Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
    Genesis 38:13
    And it was told Tamar, saying, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.
    1 Samuel 25:4
    When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
  19. Cross References
    Judges 19:6
    So they sat down, and the two of them ate and d...
    Judges 19:9
    And when the man stood to depart - he and his c...
    Judges 19:22
    As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly cert...
    Ruth 3:7
    And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his hea...
    1 Samuel 25:36
    Now Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was, ho...
    Esther 1:10
    On the seventh day, when the heart of the king ...
  20. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:10
    'Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.'
  21. Cross References
    2 Samuel 18:9
    Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on.
    1 Kings 1:33
    The king also said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon.
    1 Kings 1:38
    So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and took him to Gihon.
  22. Cross References
    2 Samuel 1:11
    Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.
  23. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:16
    David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.
  24. Cross References
    2 Samuel 13:3 - 5
    But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.
  25. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:19
    Then he said to the king, "Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart.
  26. Cross References
    2 Samuel 13:37
    But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
    2 Samuel 13:38
    So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
  27. Cross References
    2 Samuel 3:3
    His second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
    1 Chronicles 3:2
    The third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith.
  28. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:23
    So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
    2 Samuel 14:32
    And Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent to you, saying, 'Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still." ' Now therefore, let me see the king's face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.
    2 Samuel 15:8
    "For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'"
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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