II Samuel 13
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Commentaries
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Whose name was Tamar - Tamar was the daughter of David and Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur, and the uterine sister of Absalom. Amnon was David's eldest son by Ahinoam. She was therefore sister to Amnon only by the father's side, i.e., half-sister; but whole sister to Absalom.
Open source ↗AMNON LOVES TAMAR. (Sa2 13:1-5) Tamar--daughter of David by Maachah (Sa2 3:3).
Open source ↗And it came to pass after this,.... After the sin of David with Bathsheba, his repentance for it, and pardon of it, and the birth of Solomon as a token of reconciliation; yet after all this the divine threatenings must take place; they had begun already in the death of the child begotten in adultery, and others here follow: that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; she was his sister both by father and mother's side; the mother o, f them was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; she was a very comely person, her name signifies a palm tree: and Amnon the son of David loved her; not in an honourable way, to make her his wife, but in a lustful manner, to make an harlot of her; he was David's eldest son by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, Sa2 3:2.
Open source ↗Amnon's Incest. - Sa2 13:1-14. The following occurrences are assigned in a general manner to the times succeeding the Ammonitish war, by the words "And it came to pass after this;" and as David did not marry Maacah the mother of Absalom and Tamar till after he had been made king at Hebron (see Sa2 3:3), they cannot well have taken place before the twentieth year of his reign. Amnon, the eldest son of David by Ahinoam the Jezreelite (Sa2 3:2), loved Tamar, the beautiful sister of his step-brother Absalom, so passionately that he became ill in consequence, because he could not get near to her as she was a virgin. Sa2 13:1 and Sa2 13:2 form one period. ויּצר is a continuation of אהרי־כן ויהי; and the words from וּאבשׁלום to בּן־דּוד are a circumstantial clause. ויּצר: literally "it became narrow (anxious) to Amnon, even to making himself ill," i.e., he quite pined away, not "he pretended to be ill" (Luther), for it was not till afterwards that he did this according to Jonadab's advice (Sa2 13:5). התהלּות: to make one's self ill, here to become ill, in Sa2 13:5 to pretend to be ill. The clause היא בתוּלה כּי is to be joined to the one which follows: "because she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to him to do anything to her." The maidenly modesty of Tamar evidently raised an insuperable barrier to the gratification of his lusts. Sa2 13:3-5 Amnon's miserable appearance was observed by his cousin Jonadab, a very crafty man, who asked him what was the reason, and then gave him advice as to the way in which he might succeed in gratifying his desires. Shimeah is called Shammah in Sa1 16:9. Sa2 13:4-5 "Why art thou so wasting away (דּל, thin, spare, here equivalent to wasting away, looking miserable), king's son, from morning to morning?" i.e., day by day. "The morning" is m…
Open source ↗We have here a particular account of the abominable wickedness of Amnon in ravishing his sister, a subject not fit to be enlarged upon nor indeed to be mentioned without blushing, that ever any man should be so vile, especially that a son of David should be so. Amnon's character, we have reason to think, was bad in other things; if he had not forsaken God, he would never have been given up to these vile affections. Godly parents have often been afflicted with wicked children; grace does not run in the blood, but corruption does. We do not find that David's children imitated him in his devotion; but his false steps they trod in, and in those did much worse, and repented not. Parents know not how fatal the consequences may be if in any instance they give their children bad examples. Observe the steps of Amnon's sin. I. The devil, as an unclean spirit, put it into his heart to lust after his sister Tamar. Beauty is a snare to many; it was so to her. She was fair, and therefore Amnon coveted her, Sa2 13:1. Those that are peculiarly handsome have no reason, on that account, to be proud, but great reason to stand upon their watch. Amnon's lust was, 1. Unnatural in itself, to lust after his sister, which even natural conscience startles at and cannot think of without horror. Such a spirit of contradiction there is in man's corrupt nature that still it desires forbidden fruit, and the more strongly it is forbidden the more greedily it is desired. Can he entertain the thought of betraying that virtue and honour of which, as a brother, he ought to have been the protector? But what wickedness so vile as not to find admittance into an unsanctified unguarded heart, left to itself? 2. It was very uneasy to him. He was so vexed that he could not gain an opportunity to solicit her chas…
Open source ↗13:1 Absalom had a beautiful sister: Tamar was Absalom’s full sister but Amnon’s half sister (see 3:2-3). Absalom would later avenge Tamar as her nearest relative (13:23-29; cp. Gen 34; Num 35:19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, H53) — Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Open source ↗אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David יָצַר (yâtsar, H3334) — to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow; figuratively, be in distress חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) פָּלָא (pâlâʼ, H6381) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְאוּמָה (mᵉʼûwmâh, H3972) — properly, a speck or point, i.e. (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
Open source ↗אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יוֹנָדָב (Yôwnâdâb, H3122) — Jonadab, the name of an Israelite and of a Rechabite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שִׁמְעָה (Shimʻâh, H8093) — Shimah, an Israelite דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, H53) — Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗יְהוֹנָדָב (Yᵉhôwnâdâb, H3082) — Jehonadab, the name of an Israelite and of an Arab אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, H4904) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place בָּרָה (bârâh, H1262) — to select; to feed; to render clear לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בִּרְיָה (biryâh, H1279) — food
Open source ↗אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) לָבַב (lâbab, H3823) — (in a good sense) transport (with love), or (in a bad sense) stultify; to make cakes שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold לָבִיבָה (lâbîybâh, H3834) — a cake (either as fried or turned) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) בָּרָה (bârâh, H1262) — to select; to feed; to render clear
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בִּרְיָה (biryâh, H1279) — food
Open source ↗תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בָּצֵק (bâtsêq, H1217) — dough (as swelling by fermentation) לוּשׁ (lûwsh, H3888) — to knead לָבַב (lâbab, H3823) — (in a good sense) transport (with love), or (in a bad sense) stultify; to make cakes עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) בָּשַׁל (bâshal, H1310) — properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen לָבִיבָה (lâbîybâh, H3834) — a cake (either as fried or turned)
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מַשְׂרֵת (masrêth, H4958) — a pan יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3985) — to refuse אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗אַמְנוֹן (ʼAmnôwn, H550) — Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תָּמָר (Tâmâr, H8559) — Tamar, the name of three women and a place בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בִּרְיָה (biryâh, H1279) — food חֶדֶר (cheder, H2315) — an apartment (usually literal) בָּרָה (bârâh, H1262) — to select; to feed; to render clear יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) לָבִיבָה (lâbîybâh, H3834) — a cake (either as fried or turned) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נְבָלָה (nᵉbâlâh, H5039) — foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
Open source ↗חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first נָבָל (nâbâl, H5036) — stupid; wicked (especially impious) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָנַע (mânaʻ, H4513) — to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
Open source ↗אָבָה (ʼâbâh, H14) — to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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These were all the sons of David, besides the sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.
Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.
the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;
Then Amnon hated Tamar with such intensity that his hatred was greater than the love he previously had. “Get up!” he said to her. “Be gone!”
Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.
And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly.
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.