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OEB 2SA Chapter 13

13 Now afterwards it came to pass that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 And Amnon was so distressed that he became sick because of his sister Tamar--for she was a virgin--and it seemed to Amnon impossible 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 shrewd man. 4 And he said to him, ‘Why are you, a king’s son, so ill every morning? Will you not tell me?’ And Amnon said to him, ‘I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.’ 5 And Jonadab said to him, ‘Lie down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. Then when your father comes to see you, say to him, “Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat from her hand.” ’ 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and make a few heart-shaped cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.’

7 So David sent home to Tamar, saying, ‘Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.’ 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house while he lay in bed. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes as he looked on, and baked the cakes. 9 And she took the pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, ‘Let all go out from me.’ And they all went out from him. 10 And Amnon said to Tamar, ‘Bring the food into the inner room, that I may take from your hand.’ And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the inner room to Amnon her brother. 11 And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, ‘Come, lie with me, my sister.’ 12 And she answered him, ‘No, my brother, do not force me, for it is not so done in Israel; do not commit this impious act of folly. 13 And as for me, whither could I carry my shame? and as for you, you would become one of the impious fools in Israel. Now therefore, I beg you, speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.’ 14 But he would not hearken to her, but being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with great hatred, for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than he love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, ‘Arise, be gone!’ 16 But she said to him, ‘No, my brother; far greater is the second wrong in sending me away than the first that you did to me.’ And he would not listen to her, This verse will need special attention. 17 but called his servant who and said, ‘Put this woman out from my presence, and bolt the door after her.’ 18 And she wore a long-sleeved tunic, for thus the royal maidens were formerly wont to be clad. Then his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. 19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her long-sleeved tunic which she wore; and she put her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.

20 And Absalom her own brother said to her, ‘Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now, my sister, be silent, for he is your brother; do not take this thing to heart.’ So Tamar dwelt desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry, . 22 And Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23 Now it happened after two years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, ‘See your servant has sheepshearers; let the king, I pray, and his servants go with your servant.’ 25 But the king said to Absalom, ‘No my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you. And he pressed him; however, he would not go but bade him farewell.’ 26 Then Absalom said, ‘If not, then let my brother Amnon go with us.’ And the king said, ‘Why should he go with you?’ 27 But when Absalom pressed him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, ‘See to it, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, “Smite Amnon,” then kill him. Fear not; have not I commanded you? Be brave and show yourselves valiant men!’ 29 And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled.

30 And while they were on the way, the news came to David: ‘Absalom has slain all the king’s sons so that there is not one of them left.’ 31 Then the king arose and tore his clothes and lay on the earth; and all his servants . 32 And Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, ‘Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon only is dead, since by the statement of Absalom this was decided from the day of the violation of his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take this thing to heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.’ 34 And when the lifted up his eyes and looked, there were many people coming . 35 And Jonadab said to the king, ‘There the king’s sons are coming, as your servant said so it has come to pass.’ 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the king’s sons came and lifted up their voices and wept; and the king also and all his servants wept loudly.

37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Amihud, king of Geshur, and David mourned continually for his son. 38 and remained there three years. 39 longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted for the death of Amnon.

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