1 It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a
beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of 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, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s
brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4 He said to him, Why, son of
the king, are you thus lean from day to day? Won’t you tell me? Amnon said to
him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister. 5 Jonadab said to him, Lay
you down on your bed, and feign yourself sick: and when your father comes to
see you, tell him, Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat,
and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.
6 So Amnon lay down, and feigned himself sick: and when the king was come
to see him, Amnon said to the king, Please let her sister Tamar come, and
make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon’s
house, and dress him food. 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house;
and he was laid down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his
sight, and did bake the cakes. 9 She took the pan, and poured them out
before him; but he refused to eat. Amnon said, Have out all men from me. They
went out every man from him. 10 Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food into
the chamber, that I may eat from your hand. Tamar took the cakes which she
had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 When
she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to
her, Come, lie with me, my sister. 12 She answered him, No, my brother, do
not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this
folly. 13 I, where shall I carry my shame? and as for you, you will be as
one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he
will not withhold me from you. 14 However he would not listen to her
voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with
which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.
Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone. 16 She said to him, Not so, because
this great wrong in putting me forth is worse than the other that you
did to me. But he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his servant
who ministered to him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the
door after her. 18 She had a garment of various colors on her; for with
such robes were the king’s daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his
servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. 19 Tamar put ashes
on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she
laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
20 Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you?
but now hold your peace, my sister: he is your brother; don’t take this thing
to heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon,
because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23 It happened after two full
years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside
Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 Absalom came to the
king, and said, See now, your servant has sheep-shearers; let the king, I
pray you, and his servants go with your servant. 25 The king said to
Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you. He
pressed him: however he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said
Absalom, If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us. The king said to
him, Why should he go with you? 27 But Absalom pressed him, and he let
Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Absalom commanded his
servants, saying, Mark you now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine;
and when I tell you, Smite Amnon, then kill him; don’t be afraid; haven’t I
commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 29 The servants of Absalom
did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and
every man got him up on his mule, and fled. 30 It happened, while they
were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, Absalom has 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 earth; and all his servants
stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s
brother, answered, Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the
young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of
Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister
Tamar. 33 Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his
heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.
34 But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes,
and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill-side
behind him. 35 Jonadab said to the king, Behold, the king’s sons are come:
as your servant said, so it is. 36 It happened, as soon as he had made an
end of speaking, that behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their
voice, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of
Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled,
and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 the soul of king
David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon,
seeing he was dead.
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