2 Samuel 13:1-25 ▼

1 AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a sister whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was much grieved on account of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon felt unable to say anything to her.

3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother; and Jonadab was a very wise man.

4 And 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.

5 And Jonadab said to him, Lie down on your bed and pretend that you are sick; and when your father comes to see you, say to him, Let my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, Let Tamar my sister come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight that I may eat from her hand.

7 Then David sent for Tamar, and said to her, Go now 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. And she took dough and kneaded it and baked cakes.

9 And she took the cakes and placed them before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Let every one go out from the house. And they went out every man from the house.

10 And Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food into the chamber that I may eat from your hands. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, Come lie with me, my sister.

12 And she answered him, No, my brother, do not treat me shamefully; for no such folly ought to be done in Israel;

13 And as for me, where shall I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be reckoned as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.

14 But he would not listen to her; but, being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her and disgraced her.

15 Then Amnon hated her 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 And she said to him, So now, since you have done this great evil to me, you send me away? But he would not listen to her.

17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said to him, Put now this woman out of my house, and bolt the door after her.

18 And Tamar took ashes and put them on her head,

19 And she tore the embroidered garment which she wore; then she laid her hands on her head, and went away crying mournfully.

20 And Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother lain with you? But hold now your peace, my sister; he is your brother; do not take this deed to your heart. So Tamar remained horrified in the house of Absalom her brother.

21 But when King David heard all these things, he was exceedingly displeased.

22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 Now from season to season, Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

24 And Absalom came to the king and said to him, Behold now your servant has sheepshearers; let the king and his servants go with your servant.

25 And the king said to him, No, my son, let us not all now go lest we be burdensome to you. And he pressed him, but he would not go with him, but he blessed him.