Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” New Living Translation One day Jonadab said to Amnon, “What’s the trouble? Why should the son of a king look so dejected morning after morning?” So Amnon told him, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” English Standard Version And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Berean Standard Bible and he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Berean Literal Bible And he said to him, “Why are you so depressed, son of the king, morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am loving Tamar, sister of Absalom my brother.” King James Bible And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. New King James Version 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.” New American Standard Bible And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” So Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” NASB 1995 He said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” NASB 1977 And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” Legacy Standard Bible And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” Amplified Bible He said to Amnon, “Why are you, the king’s son, so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, my [half-] brother Absalom’s sister.” Berean Annotated Bible and he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me? Amnon (faithful) replied, “I am in love with Tamar (palm-tree), my brother Absalom’s (my father is peace) sister. Christian Standard Bible and he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the king’s son, so miserable every morning? Won’t you tell me? ” Amnon replied, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Holman Christian Standard Bible and he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the king’s son, so miserable every morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” American Standard Version And he said unto him, Why, O son of the king, art thou thus lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. Contemporary English Version and he said to Amnon, "What's the matter? You're the king's son! You shouldn't have to go around feeling sorry for yourself every morning." Amnon said, "I'm in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." English Revised Version And he said unto him, Why, O son of the king, art thou thus lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. GOD'S WORD® Translation He asked Amnon, "Why are you, the king's son, so worn out morning after morning? Won't you tell me?" "I'm in love with Absalom's sister Tamar," he answered. Good News Translation Jonadab said to Amnon, "You are the king's son, yet day after day I see you looking sad. What's the matter?" "I'm in love with Tamar, the sister of my half brother Absalom," he answered. International Standard Version "Why are you so depressed these past few mornings," Jonadab asked Amnon, "since you're a son of the king? Why not tell me?" Amnon replied, "I'm in love with my brother Absalom's sister Tamar." NET Bible He asked Amnon, "Why are you, the king's son, so depressed every morning? Can't you tell me?" So Amnon said to him, "I'm in love with Tamar the sister of my brother Absalom." New Heart English Bible He said to him, "Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won't you tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." Webster's Bible Translation And he said to him, Why art thou, being the king's son, pining from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” World English Bible He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand says to him, “Why [are] you thus lean, O king’s son, morning by morning? Do you not declare [it] to me?” And Amnon says to him, “Tamar—sister of my brother Absalom—I am loving.” Berean Literal Bible And he said to him, “Why are you so depressed, son of the king, morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am loving Tamar, sister of Absalom my brother.” Young's Literal Translation and saith to him, 'Wherefore art thou thus lean, O king's son, morning by morning? dost thou not declare to me?' And Amnon saith to him, 'Tamar -- sister of Absalom my brother -- I am loving.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say to him, Wherefore thou so weak, son of the king, in morning by morning? wilt thou not announce to me? and Amnon will say to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to him: Why dost thou grow so lean from day to day, O son of the king? why dost thou not tell me the reason of it? And Amnon said to him: I am in love with Thamar the sister of my brother Absalom. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to him: “Why are you becoming so thin from day to day, O son of the king? Why won’t you tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” New American Bible He asked him, “Prince, why are you so dejected morning after morning? Why not tell me?” So Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” New Revised Standard Version He said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to Amnon, O son of the king why are you so losing weight from day to day? Will you not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He said to Khamnun, son of the King: “Why do you go thus from dawn to dawn? Will you not tell me? Khamnun said to him: “I love Tamar the sister of Abishlum my brother” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said unto him: 'Why, O son of the king, art thou thus becoming leaner from day to day? wilt thou not tell me?' And Amnon said unto him: 'I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said to him, What ails thee that thou art thus weak? O son of the king, morning by morning? wilt thou not tell me? and Ammon said, I love Themar the sister of my brother Abessalom. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Amnon and Tamar…3Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, 4so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 5Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.’ ”… Cross References and he asked Amnon, 2 Kings 4:26 Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’” And she answered, “Everything is all right.” 1 Kings 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” “Why are you, the son of the king, 2 Kings 11:12 Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!” 2 Kings 11:2 But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. so depressed morning after morning? Nehemiah 2:2 so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear Psalm 42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Won’t you tell me?” Judges 16:6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” Judges 16:15 “How can you say, ‘I love you,’” she asked, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!” Amnon replied, 1 Samuel 1:15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. 2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. “I am in love with Tamar, Genesis 34:3 And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly. Genesis 29:18 Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” my brother Absalom’s sister.” Leviticus 18:9 You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere. Leviticus 20:17 If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. Genesis 34:1-7 Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. / When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force. / And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly. … Judges 14:1-3 One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. / So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” / But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” Treasury of Scripture And he said to him, Why are you, being the king's son, lean from day to day? will you not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. Why art 1 Kings 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Esther 5:13,14 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate… Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. lean [heb] thin Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Jeremiah 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. Micah 7:3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. my brother Leviticus 18:9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. Leviticus 20:17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. Jump to Previous Absalom Absalom's Ab'salom's Amnon Depressed Getting Haggard King's Lean Morning Pining Sister Tamar Trouble Wherefore Wilt Won'tJump to Next Absalom Absalom's Ab'salom's Amnon Depressed Getting Haggard King's Lean Morning Pining Sister Tamar Trouble Wherefore Wilt Won't2 Samuel 13 1. Amnon loving Tamar, by Jonadab's counsel feigning himself sick, ravishes her.15. He hates her, and shamefully turns her away 19. Absalom entertains her, and conceals his purpose 23. At a sheep-shearing among all the king's sons, he kills Amnon 31. David grieving at the news, is comforted by Jonadab 37. Absalom flies to Talmai at Geshur and he asked Amnon, Jonadab, a cousin and friend of Amnon, initiates the conversation. This highlights the role of advisors and confidants in royal courts, often influencing decisions and actions. The presence of Jonadab, who is described as shrewd, sets the stage for the unfolding events, emphasizing the importance of counsel in biblical narratives. “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” Persons / Places / Events 1. AmnonThe eldest son of King David, who becomes infatuated with his half-sister Tamar. 2. Tamar The beautiful sister of Absalom and half-sister to Amnon, who becomes the object of Amnon's illicit desire. 3. Absalom Tamar's full brother, who later avenges the wrong done to his sister. 4. Jonadab A cousin to Amnon and a shrewd advisor, who questions Amnon about his distress and later gives him advice on how to act on his desires. 5. King David The father of Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom, whose family is torn apart by these events. Teaching Points Guard Your HeartAmnon's unchecked desires led to devastating consequences. We must guard our hearts and align our desires with God's will. Choose Your Counsel Wisely Jonadab's advice to Amnon was not godly. Seek counsel from those who are grounded in biblical truth. Consequences of Sin Amnon's actions led to a chain of tragic events. Sin often has far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate act. Family Dynamics and Responsibility David's family suffered due to his lack of intervention. As leaders and family members, we must address issues proactively and biblically. Love vs. Lust Amnon's feelings were not true love but lust. True love is selfless and seeks the best for others, as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 13:4?2. How does 2 Samuel 13:4 illustrate the dangers of ungodly counsel? 3. What can we learn about the consequences of deceit from 2 Samuel 13:4? 4. How does 2 Samuel 13:4 connect with Proverbs 12:5 on the plans of the wicked? 5. In what ways can we seek godly advice to avoid sin like in 2 Samuel 13:4? 6. How can we guard our hearts against manipulation as seen in 2 Samuel 13:4? 7. Why did Amnon confide in Jonadab about his feelings for Tamar in 2 Samuel 13:4? 8. How does Jonadab's advice in 2 Samuel 13:4 reflect on his character and intentions? 9. What cultural norms in 2 Samuel 13:4 allowed Amnon to express his desire for Tamar? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 13? 11. Are there any archaeological discoveries or historical records supporting the events in 2 Samuel 13? 12. Why is Tamar's fate largely unaddressed after her assault in 2 Samuel 13:19-20? 13. 2 Samuel 14:33: If David truly forgave Absalom when he finally saw him, why does Absalom soon rebel, suggesting either incomplete reconciliation or narrative inconsistency? 14. 2 Samuel 14:21-24: Why would David, a supposedly just king, rely on subterfuge rather than open negotiation to resolve Absalom's banishment? What Does 2 Samuel 13:4 Mean He asked AmnonJonadab, a cousin of Amnon, notices something is wrong and speaks up. Scripture presents this as a real moment between two historical figures, underscoring how the Lord often lets caring relatives or friends see what is hidden (cf. Genesis 4:9; Proverbs 27:17). • God uses relationships to bring hidden struggles into the light. • The initiative here is not idle curiosity; it highlights accountability within family (Leviticus 19:17). "Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning?" Jonadab emphasizes Amnon’s royal privilege. By framing the question around Amnon’s high position, the text shows how sin disregards status (cf. 1 Kings 11:4; James 1:9-10). • Persistent grief signals a deeper spiritual problem (Psalm 32:3-4). • Even the king’s son can sink into misery when desires turn disordered. "Won’t you tell me?" A direct invitation to confess. The narrative affirms that openness is the path God provides for help (Psalm 142:2; 1 John 1:9). • Jonadab’s request models the probing of conscience. • God’s Word encourages transparent speech to prevent sin from festering (Proverbs 28:13). Amnon replied Amnon finally speaks, illustrating that unspoken lust often becomes vocal before it turns to action (James 1:14-15). • Confession without repentance is possible; the coming verses show Amnon sought gratification, not purity. • The reply reveals the power of honest words to expose a heart’s true state (Luke 6:45). "I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister." Amnon names his obsession. The literal phrase exposes two layers of violation: Tamar is both his half-sister and Absalom’s full sister, making the desire doubly forbidden (Leviticus 18:9, 11). • What Amnon calls “love” is lust; biblical love seeks another’s good (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). • The family identifier “my brother Absalom’s sister” reminds readers how personal sin fractures wider relationships (Genesis 37:4; 2 Samuel 13:22). • The statement foreshadows tragic fallout: Absalom’s vengeance and national turmoil (2 Samuel 13:28-29; 14:24). summary 2 Samuel 13:4 captures a private exchange that lays bare a prince’s hidden lust. Jonadab’s probing question shows God’s provision of accountability, while Amnon’s answer exposes the destructive power of unchecked desire. The verse teaches that rank cannot shield a person from the consequences of sin, that confession must lead to repentance, and that what one calls “love” must be measured by God’s clear moral standard. Verse 4. - Why art thou, being the king's son, lean? The Hebrew is, Why, O son of the king, dost thou pine away morning by morning? There was probably a gathering of friends every morning at the young prince's house, and his cousin, attending this levee, noticed Amnon's melancholy, and, having forced a confession from him, is unscrupulous enough to suggest a plan that would make Tamar her brother's victim.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew so he asked Amnon,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Why מַדּ֣וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘) Interrogative Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason? are you, אַ֠תָּה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you the son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of the king, הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king so כָּ֣כָה (kā·ḵāh) Adverb Strong's 3602: Just so depressed דַּ֤ל (dal) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin morning בַּבֹּ֣קֶר (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning after morning? בַּבֹּ֔קֶר (bab·bō·qer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning Won't הֲל֖וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no you tell תַּגִּ֣יד (tag·gîḏ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous me?” לִ֑י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew Amnon אַמְנ֔וֹן (’am·nō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 550: Amnon -- 'faithful', two Israelites replied, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I am אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I in love אֹהֵֽב׃ (’ō·hêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 157: To have affection f with Tamar, תָּמָ֗ר (tā·mār) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 8559: Tamar -- daughter-in-law of Judah, also two Israelite women, also a place South of the Dead Sea my brother אָחִ֖י (’ā·ḥî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) Absalom’s אַבְשָׁלֹ֥ם (’aḇ·šā·lōm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites sister.” אֲח֛וֹת (’ă·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister Links 2 Samuel 13:4 NIV2 Samuel 13:4 NLT 2 Samuel 13:4 ESV 2 Samuel 13:4 NASB 2 Samuel 13:4 KJV 2 Samuel 13:4 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 13:4 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 13:4 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 13:4 French Bible 2 Samuel 13:4 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 13:4 He said to him Why son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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