Now it was after this that ^aAbsalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was ^bTamar, and ^cAmnon the son of David was in love with her. 2 But Amnon was so frustrated on account of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin, and it ¹seemed too difficult to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of ^1aShimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very clever man. 4 And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” So Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” 5 Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill; when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please have my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat, and have her prepare the ¹food in my sight, so that I may see it and eat from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please have my sister Tamar come and ^amake me a couple of pastries in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.”

7 Then David sent a messenger to the house for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare ¹food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was lying in bed. And she took dough, kneaded it, made pastries in his sight, and baked the pastries. 9 Then she took the tray and served them to him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “^aHave everyone leave me.” So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the ¹bedroom, so that I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the pastries which she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon. 11 When she brought them to him to eat, he ^atook hold of her and said to her, “Come, sleep with me, my sister.” 12 But she said to him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for ^asuch a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this ^bdisgraceful sin! 13 As for me, where could I ¹get rid of my shame? And as for you, you will be like one of the ²fools in Israel. Now then, please speak to the king, for ^ahe will not ³withhold me from you.” 14 However, he would not listen to ¹her; since he was stronger than she, he ^aviolated her and slept with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; indeed, the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!” 16 But she said to him, “No, because this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me!” Yet he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his young man who attended him and said, “Now throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her!” 18 Now she had on ^aa ¹long-sleeved garment; for this is how the virgin daughters of the king dressed themselves in robes. Then his attendant took her out and locked the door behind her. 19 ^aTamar took ashes and put them on her head, and ^btore her ¹long-sleeved garment which was on her; and ^cshe put her hand on her head and went on her way, crying out as she went.

20 Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained and was isolated in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 Now when King David heard about all these matters, he became very angry. 22 But Absalom did not speak with Amnon ^aeither good or bad; for ^bAbsalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom ^ahad sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons to celebrate.

24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; may the king and his servants please go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, so that we will not be a burden to you.” Though he urged him, he would not go; but he blessed him. 26 Then ^aAbsalom said, “If not, please have my brother Amnon go with us.” But the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 Nevertheless Absalom urged him, so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, ^awhen Amnon’s heart is cheerful with wine, and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have I not commanded you myself? Be courageous and be ¹valiant.” 29 And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons got up and each mounted ^ahis mule and fled.

30 Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck and killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king stood up, ^atore his clothes, and ^blay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 32 ^aAnd Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, ¹responded, “Let my lord not ²assume that they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead; because this has been set up by the ³intent of Absalom since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. 33 So now, may my lord the king not ^atake the report to ¹heart, ²claiming, ‘all the king’s sons are dead’; but only Amnon is dead.”

34 Now ^aAbsalom had fled. And ^bthe young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come; so it has happened according to your servant’s word.” 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came and raised their voices and wept; and the king and all his servants also wept ¹very profusely.

37 Now ^aAbsalom had fled and gone to ^bTalmai the son of Ammihud, the king of ^cGeshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 ^aSo Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there for three years. 39 And the heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for ^ahe was comforted regarding Amnon, since he was dead.

Now it was after this that ^aAbsalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was ^bTamar, and ^cAmnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so frustrated because of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin, and it seemed ¹hard to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of ^1aShimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” 5 Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill; when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat, and let her 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 ill; when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and ^amake me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

7 Then David sent to the house for 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, and he was lying down. And she took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9 She took the pan and ¹dished them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “^aHave everyone go out from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the ¹bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon. 11 When she brought them to him to eat, he ^atook hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for ^asuch a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this ^bdisgraceful thing! 13 As for me, where could I ¹get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the ²fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for ^ahe will not withhold me from you.” 14 However, he would not listen to ¹her; since he was stronger than she, he ^aviolated her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!” 16 But she said to him, “No, because this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me!” Yet he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his young man who attended him and said, “Now throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her.” 18 Now she had on ^aa ¹long-sleeved garment; for in this manner the virgin daughters of the king dressed themselves in robes. Then his attendant took her out and locked the door behind her. 19 ^aTamar put ¹ashes on her head and ^btore her ²long-sleeved garment which was on her; and ^cshe put her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.

20 Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry. 22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon ^aeither good or bad; for ^bAbsalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom ^ahad sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

24 Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you.” Although he ¹urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then ^aAbsalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But when Absalom ¹urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, ^awhen Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be ¹valiant.” 29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted ^ahis mule and fled.

30 Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose, ^atore his clothes and ^blay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 32 ^aJonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, ¹responded, “Do not let my lord ²suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the ³intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore, do not let my lord the king ^atake the report to ¹heart, namely, ‘all the king’s sons are dead,’ for only Amnon is dead.”

34 Now ^aAbsalom had fled. And ^bthe young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come; according to your servant’s word, so it happened.” 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servants wept ¹very bitterly.

37 Now ^aAbsalom fled and went to ^bTalmai the son of Ammihud, the king of ^cGeshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 ^aSo Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for ^ahe was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

It happened afterwards that ^aAbsalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was ^bTamar, and ^cAmnon her half-brother the son of David was in love with her. 2 Amnon was so frustrated because of his half- sister Tamar that he made himself sick, for she was a virgin, and Amnon thought it impossible for him to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of ^aShimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd (cunning) man. 4 He said to Amnon, “Why are you, the king’s son, so depressed morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, my half- brother Absalom’s sister.” 5 Jonadab said to him, “Go to bed and pretend you are sick; and when your father David comes to see you, say to him, ‘Just let my sister Tamar come and serve me food, and let her prepare it in my sight, so that I may see it and eat it 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, “Please let my sister Tamar come and ^amake me a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.”

7 Then David sent word to the house for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare some food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was in bed. And she took dough and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and baked them. 9 She took the pan and dished them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “^aHave everyone leave me.” So everyone left him except Tamar. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her half- brother Amnon. 11 When she brought them to him to eat, he ^atook hold of her and said, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She replied, “No, my brother! Do not violate me, for ^asuch a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this ^bdisgraceful thing! Gen 34:7 13 As for me, how could I get rid of my shame and disgrace? And you, you will be considered one of the fools in Israel. So now, just speak to the king about taking me as your wife, for ^ahe will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her; and since he was stronger than she, he ^aviolated her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon became extremely hateful toward her, for his hatred toward her was greater than the love which he had for her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” 16 But she said, “No, because this wrong of ¹sending me away is worse than the other that you have done to me!” But he would not listen to her. 17 Instead, he called his young man who was his personal servant and said, “Now throw this woman out of my presence and bolt the door behind her.” 18 Now Tamar was wearing ^1aa long-sleeved robe of various colors; for that is how the virgin daughters of the king dressed themselves in robes. Then Amnon’s personal servant took her out and bolted the door behind her. 19 So ^1aTamar put dust on her head in grief and ^btore the long-sleeved robe which she had on, and ^cshe put her hand on her head and went away crying out for help.

20 So her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? But now keep silent, my sister; he is your brother; ¹do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained secluded in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 Now when King David heard about all these things, he was very angry but failed to take any ¹action. 22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon ^aeither good or bad; for ^bAbsalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom ^ahad sheepshearers at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons to a party.

24 Absalom came to his father the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be a burden to you.” Although Absalom strongly urged David, still he would not go, but he gave him his blessing. 26 Then ^aAbsalom said, “If not, then at least let my brother ¹Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him again, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom commanded his servants, “Notice carefully, ^awhen Amnon’s heart is joyous with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not be afraid; have I not commanded you myself and in doing so have I not taken full responsibility for his death? Be courageous and brave.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons got up, and every man mounted ^ahis mule and fled.

30 Now it happened while they were on the way back home, that the exaggerated report came to David, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king stood and ^atore his clothes and ^blay on the ground in mourning; and all his servants were standing by with their clothes torn. 32 But ^aJonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, responded, “Do not let my lord assume that all the king’s sons have been put to death; for only Amnon is dead. This act of revenge has been on Absalom’s mind since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar. 33 So now, do not let my lord the king ^atake the report to heart that all the king’s sons are dead; for Amnon alone is dead.”

34 Now ^aAbsalom fled. And ^bthe young man who kept watch looked up, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming. It has turned out just as your servant said.” 36 And when he finished speaking, the king’s sons came, and they raised their voices and wept; and the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.

37 But ^aAbsalom fled and went to his mother’s father ^bTalmai the son of Ammihud, king of ^cGeshur. And David ¹mourned for his son every day. 38 ^aSo Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there for three years. 39 And the heart of King David longed to go to Absalom; for ^ahe was comforted regarding Amnon, since he was dead.