2 Samuel 13

Lust, Lies & Revenge in the King’s House

1 Later on, David’s son Absalom had a fine sister named Tamar. Another one of David’s sons, Amnon, fell in love with her.

2 Amnon was so obsessed he made himself sick. But since she was a virgin and his half-sister, he did not see how he could get with her.

3 Now Amnon had a sneaky homeboy named Jonadab, his cousin, son of David’s brother Shimeah.

4 Jonadab said, “Listen, why are you looking sick every day, man, What is going on,” Amnon said, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

5 Jonadab said, “I have a plan. Lie in bed like you are sick. When your pops checks on you, ask him to send Tamar to cook for you. Tell him you want to eat from her hands.”

The Setup

6 So Amnon laid down and played sick. When David came to see him, Amnon said, “Can you send Tamar to cook in front of me and feed me with her hands?”

7 David sent word to Tamar: “Go to your brother Amnon’s house and fix him something to eat.”

8 So she went to his place, found him laid up, and started making bread.

9 She cooked, shaped the dough with her hands, and baked it. But Amnon would not eat. He said, “Send everybody out.” So the house cleared.

10 Then Amnon said, “Bring the food into my room and feed me here.” So she brought the food in.

The Violation

11 But when she came close to feed him, he grabbed her and said, “Come sleep with me.”

12 She said, “No, my brother! Do not force me. This is not right, do not do this shameful thing.”

13 “What would I do with my shame? And you, you would be considered one of the fools in Israel. Please, talk to the king. He may let you marry me.”

14 But Amnon did not care. He ignored her and forced himself on her, and raped her.

From Love to Hate

15 Then Amnon’s “love” turned to hate, and not just any hate. He hated her more than he ever claimed to love her. He said, “Get up. Get out.”

16 She said, “Do not do me like this, sending me away now is worse than what you just did!” But he did not listen.

17 He called his servant: “Kick her out and lock the door behind her.”

18 She was wearing a royal robe, what the king’s daughters wore. She ripped her clothes, put ashes on her head, and left crying loudly.

Absalom Plots

19 Tamar tore her robe, covered her face with ashes, and ran out crying.

20 Her brother Absalom said, “Did Amnon mess with you, Keep quiet for now, he is your brother. But I got you.” So Tamar stayed in his house, desolate and heartbroken.

21 When King David heard, he was furious, but he did not do nothing.

22 Absalom said nothing to Amnon, good or bad. But deep down, he hated him for what he did to Tamar.

The Revenge Plan

23 Two years later, Absalom threw a sheep-shearing party in Baal-hazor. He invited all the king’s sons.

24 He went to David and said, “Come out to the party, Dad.”

25 David said, “Nah, if I come, it will be too much. But thanks for the invite.” Absalom pressed him, but David still said no and gave him his blessing.

26 Then Absalom said, “Well at least let Amnon come.” David asked, “Why him?”

27 Absalom kept pushing, so David sent Amnon and all the other sons.

Blood for Blood

28 Absalom told his men, “Watch Amnon. When he is good and drunk, I will give the signal, strike him down. Do not trip, I am taking responsibility. Be strong and do it.”

29 So they killed Amnon like Absalom ordered. All the other sons jumped up, hopped on their mules, and dipped out.

Panic at the Palace

30 While they were on the way back, word got to David: “Absalom killed all the king’s sons, not one survived!”

31 David tore his clothes and fell to the ground. All his servants did the same.

32 But Jonadab said, “Hold up, King. It was not all the sons, just Amnon. Absalom has been planning this since he violated Tamar.”

33 “So do not assume all your sons are dead, only Amnon is gone.”

34 Meanwhile, Absalom dipped. The lookout saw a crowd coming down the road, it was the king’s sons.

35 Jonadab said, “Look, it is just like I said, they are coming.”

36 As soon as he finished speaking, the sons arrived, crying loud. David and all his men broke down too.

Absalom in Exile

37 Absalom ran to Geshur and stayed with his grandfather, King Talmai. David mourned Amnon every single day.

38 Absalom stayed in Geshur for three years.

39 David longed to go see Absalom, he had finally come to terms with Amnon’s death.