Amnon: Son of David
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Amnon, the firstborn son of King David, is a significant yet tragic figure in the biblical narrative. His account is primarily found in the Second Book of Samuel, where his actions and their consequences are detailed. Amnon was born to David and Ahinoam of Jezreel (2 Samuel 3:2), making him the eldest among David's sons and a potential heir to the throne of Israel.

The Incident with Tamar

Amnon is most infamously known for his grievous sin against his half-sister Tamar. The account of this incident is recorded in 2 Samuel 13. Amnon developed an intense and illicit desire for Tamar, who was the full sister of Absalom, another of David's sons. The text describes Amnon as being "frustrated to the point of illness" over his feelings for her, as she was a virgin and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her (2 Samuel 13:2).

Amnon's cousin, Jonadab, advised him to feign illness and request that Tamar come to prepare food for him in his sight. Amnon followed this deceitful plan, and when Tamar came to his house, he overpowered and violated her, despite her protests and reasoning (2 Samuel 13:11-14). After the act, Amnon's feelings turned to hatred, and he callously sent Tamar away, further compounding his sin and her disgrace (2 Samuel 13:15-17).

Consequences and Death

The aftermath of Amnon's actions set off a chain of events that would have lasting repercussions for David's family and his kingdom. Tamar's brother Absalom took her into his home and harbored a deep-seated hatred for Amnon. King David, upon hearing of the incident, was furious but did not take immediate action against Amnon (2 Samuel 13:21).

Two years later, Absalom orchestrated a plan to avenge his sister. He invited all the king's sons to a sheep-shearing event and commanded his servants to kill Amnon when he was in high spirits from wine. Absalom's servants carried out the order, and Amnon was murdered (2 Samuel 13:28-29). This act of vengeance led to Absalom's temporary exile and further turmoil within David's household.

Legacy

Amnon's account is a sobering reminder of the destructive power of unchecked lust and the severe consequences of sin. His actions not only brought personal ruin but also contributed to the unraveling of familial and national unity in Israel. The narrative of Amnon serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of righteousness, justice, and the devastating impact of moral failure.
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2 Samuel 3:2
And to David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
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1 Chronicles 3:1
Now these were the sons of David, which were born to him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
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Strong's Hebrew
550. Amnon -- "faithful," two Israelites
... Amnon. Or uamiynown {am-ee-nohn'}; from 'aman; faithful; Amnon (or Aminon), a son
of David -- Amnon. see HEBREW 'aman. 549, 550. Amnon. 551 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/550.htm - 6k
Library

How Absalom Murdered Amnon, who had Forced his Own Sister; and How ...
... Now Amnon, David's eldest son, fell in love with her, and being not able to obtain
his desires, on account of her virginity, and the custody she was under, was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how absalom murdered.htm

The History of David
... After this David had much war and trouble and anger, insomuch that on a
time Amnon, oldest son of David, loved Thamar his sister. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

David's Sorrow.
... DAVID'S SORROW. David had a very beautiful son named Absalom. ... He killed his brother
Amnon, and then fled to another country and stayed three years. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... The decree came: "I will raise up evil in thy family and the sword shall never leave
thy house." Amnon, David's son, commits adultery with David's own daughter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

Means to Discover when we Change in the Matter of this Holy Love.
... Why, Theotimus, did Amnon the son of David love Thamar so desperately that
he even thought he should die of love? Do you think that ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x means to discover.htm

How David Laid Siege to Jerusalem; and when He had Taken the City ...
... However, Joab, the son of Zeruiah, prevented the rest ... Now David married other wives
over and above those ... in number eleven, whose names were Amnon, Emnos, Eban ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how david laid.htm

Adonijah
... infant innocence. David's eldest son, Amnon, after committing a terrible
crime, was assassinated by his brother Absalom. In his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

David's Deserts
... The tragedies of his sons, of Amnon, of Absalom, are altogether ... complete themselves
by the sin and shame of David's one virtuous and famous son. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... [3992] For when they learned that it was the Lord who was passing by they began
to cry out saying: "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us ... [4000] Amnon did not ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

The Second Book
... In these actions David the father was punished alike by ... the loss of her virginity,
while in Amnon also the ... long endured the treachery of his son, was driven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the second book.htm

Resources
Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Tamar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about infatuation? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Amnon

Amnon: Son of David

Amnon: Son of David: Incest of, and Death

Amnon: Son of Shimon

Related Terms

Amnon's (5 Occurrences)

Ab'salom (85 Occurrences)

Tamar (28 Occurrences)

Jehonadab (2 Occurrences)

Ahinoam (7 Occurrences)

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)

Absalom's (16 Occurrences)

Absalom (93 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Sister (113 Occurrences)

Oldest (58 Occurrences)

Forced (84 Occurrences)

King's (375 Occurrences)

Vexed (37 Occurrences)

Jonadab (11 Occurrences)

Jon'adab (11 Occurrences)

Jizreelitess (5 Occurrences)

Jezreelitess (5 Occurrences)

Geshur (11 Occurrences)

Intense (13 Occurrences)

Feigneth (3 Occurrences)

Feigned (8 Occurrences)

Frustrated (7 Occurrences)

Faked (1 Occurrence)

Tormented (17 Occurrences)

Talmai (6 Occurrences)

Difficult (31 Occurrences)

Disgraced (25 Occurrences)

Pretended (9 Occurrences)

Brave (15 Occurrences)

Baalhazor (1 Occurrence)

Baal-hazor (1 Occurrence)

Bedroom (8 Occurrences)

Courageous (24 Occurrences)

Ammihud (10 Occurrences)

Ab'salom's (5 Occurrences)

Ahin'o-am (7 Occurrences)

Shim'e-ah (3 Occurrences)

Shimeah (4 Occurrences)

Couple (19 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Hating (95 Occurrences)

Merry (38 Occurrences)

Hatred (30 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Valiant (66 Occurrences)

Impossible (31 Occurrences)

Commandeth (60 Occurrences)

Hateth (38 Occurrences)

David's (142 Occurrences)

Afflicted (171 Occurrences)

Ammonitess (4 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Inner (141 Occurrences)

Suppose (47 Occurrences)

Haven't (87 Occurrences)

Distressed (70 Occurrences)

Dish (54 Occurrences)

Least (76 Occurrences)

Ill (137 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Distress (169 Occurrences)

Humbled (77 Occurrences)

Idea (64 Occurrences)

Hated (124 Occurrences)

Seemed (89 Occurrences)

Drinking (114 Occurrences)

Note (129 Occurrences)

Special (89 Occurrences)

Jezreel (37 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Lieth (135 Occurrences)

Seem (115 Occurrences)

Room (174 Occurrences)

Bed (142 Occurrences)

Bad (129 Occurrences)

Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon
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