*2 Samuel 13:1-19
Amnon, King David’s son, driven by lust, hatches a plan to rape his half-sister Tamar.
- Introduction of Amnon and Tamar:
- Amnon, David’s eldest son, becomes infatuated with his half-sister Tamar, the beautiful daughter of David and Maakah.
- Amnon’s desire for Tamar becomes an obsession, causing him to become sick with longing for her.
- Amnon’s Deceptive Plan:
- Amnon confides in his cousin Jonadab, who devises a deceitful plan to help Amnon satisfy his desire for Tamar.
- Jonadab advises Amnon to feign illness and request that Tamar prepare food for him, then to have her feed him the food while he is lying in bed.
- Amnon’s Rape of Tamar:
- Following Jonadab’s scheme, Amnon pretends to be ill, and David sends Tamar to care for him, not suspecting any harm.
- When Tamar arrives with the food, Amnon sends everyone else away and forces Tamar to come into his bedroom, where he rapes her against her will.
- Tamar’s Pleas and Rejection:
- Tamar pleads with Amnon to stop and not to commit such a disgraceful act, reminding him that he would bring shame upon himself and her by his actions.
- Despite Tamar’s pleas and objections, Amnon refuses to listen and proceeds with his assault.
- Amnon’s Hatred for Tamar:
- After violating Tamar, Amnon’s feelings toward her turn to hatred, and he orders her to leave his presence, rejecting her and refusing to acknowledge his wrongdoing.
- Tamar’s Distress:
- Tamar tears her robe in grief and distress, symbolizing her shame and desolation, and puts ashes on her head as a sign of mourning.
- She leaves Amnon’s house weeping bitterly, her spirit broken and her honor defiled by her brother’s cruel actions.
13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.
13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
13:4 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.
13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come 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 eat at her hand.
13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.
13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
13:10 And 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.
13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
13:15 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, Arise, be gone.
13:16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.