2 Samuel Chapter 13

2 Samuel Chapter 13
1 Now after this so it was, that Absalom
the son of David having a fair sister,
whose name was Tamar, Amnon the son
of David loved her. 2 And Amnon was
so sore vexed, that he fell sick for his
sister Tamar: for she was a virgin, and it
seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to
her. 3 But Amnon had a friend called
Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s
brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle
man.
4 Who said unto him, Why art thou the
king’s son so lean from day to day?
Wilt thou not tell me? Then Amnon
answered him, I love Tamar my brother
Absalom’s sister.
5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lie down
on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and
when thy father shall come to see thee,
say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister
Tamar come, and give me meat, and let
her dress meat in my sight, that I may see
it, and eat it of her hand.
6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself
sick: and when the king came to see him,
Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let
Tamar my sister come, and make me a
couple of cakes in my sight, that I may
receive meat at her hand. 7 Then David
sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to
thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress
him meat.
8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s
house, and he lay down: and she took
flour, and knead it, and made cakes in
his sight, and did bake the cakes. 9 And
she took a pan, and poured them out
before him, but he would not eat. Then
Amnon said, Cause ye every man to go
out from me: so every man went out from
him.
10 Then Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring
the meat into the chamber, that I may eat
of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes
which she had made, and brought them
into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11 And when she had set them before
him to eat, he took her, and said unto her,
Come, lie with me, my sister.
12 But she answered him, Nay, my
brother, do not force me: for no such
thing ought to be done in Israel: commit
not this folly.
13 And I, whither shall I cause my
shame to go? And thou shalt be as one of
the fools in Israel: now therefore, I pray
thee, speak to the king, for he will not
deny me unto thee.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto
her voice, but being stronger than she,
forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly,
so that the hatred wherewith he hated
her, was greater than the love,
wherewith he had loved her: and Amnon
said unto her, Up, get thee hence.
16 And she answered him, There is no
cause: this evil (to put me away) is
greater than the other that thou didst unto
me: but he would not hear her, 17 But
called his servant that served him, and
said, Put this woman now out from me,
and lock the door after her.
18 (And she had a garment of divers
colors upon her: for with such garments
were the king’s daughters that were
virgins, appareled) Then his servant
brought her out, and locked the door
after her.
19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and
rent the garment of divers colors which
was on her, and laid her hand on her
head, and went her way crying. 20 And
Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath
Amnon thy brother been with thee? Now
yet be still, my sister: he is thy brother:
let not this thing grieve thine heart. So
Tamar remained desolate in her brother
Absalom’s house. 21 But when king
David heard all these things, he was
very wroth. 22 And Absalom said unto
his brother Amnon neither good nor bad:
for Absalom hated Amnon, because he
had forced his sister Tamar.
23 And after the time of two years,
Absalom had sheepshearers in
Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim,
and Absalom called all the king’s sons.
24 And Absalom came to the king and
said, Behold now, thy servant hath
sheepshearers: I pray thee, that the king
with his servants would go with thy
servant.
25 But the king answered Absalom, Nay
my son, I pray thee, let us not go all, lest
we be chargeable unto thee. Yet
Absalom lay sore upon him: howbeit he
would not go, but thanked him.
26 Then said Absalom, But, I pray thee,
shall not my brother Amnon go with us?
And the king answered him, Why should
he go with thee?
27 But Absalom was instant upon him,
and he sent Amnon with him, and all the
king’s children.
28 Now had Absalom commanded his
servants, saying, Mark now when
Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and
when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, kill
him, fear not, for have not I commanded
you? Be bold therefore, and play the
men.
29 And the servants of Absalom did unto
Amnon, as Absalom had
commanded: and all the king’s sons
arose, and every man gat him up upon
his mule, and fled.
30 And while they were in the way,
tidings came to David, saying, Absalom
hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is
not one of them left. 31 Then the king
arose, and tore his garments, and lay on
the ground, and all his servants stood by
with their clothes rent.
32 And Jonadab the son of Shimeah
David’s brother answered and said, Let
not my lord suppose that they have slain
all the young men the king’s sons: for
Amnon only is dead, because Absalom
had reported so, since he forced his
sister Tamar.
33 Now therefore let not my lord the
king take the thing so grievously, to think
that all the king’s sons are dead: for
Amnon only is dead.
34 Then Absalom fled: and the young
man that kept the watch, lift up his eyes,
and looked, and behold, there came
much people by the way of the hillside
behind him.
35 And Jonadab said unto the king,
Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy
servant said, so it is.
36 And as soon as he had left speaking,
behold, the king’s sons came, and lift up
their voices, and wept: and the king also
and all his servants wept exceedingly
sore.
37 But Absalom fled away, and went to
Talmai the son of Ammihud king of
Geshur: and David mourned for his son
every day.
38 So Absalom fled, and went to
Geshur, and was there three years. 39
And king David desired to go forth unto
Absalom, because he was pacified
concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.