2 SAMUEL 13 - Amnon and Tamar

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** Amnon, son of David, fell in love with his sister Tamar

2 Samuel 13:1-2 NIV

[1] In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. [2] Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.

** Amnon listened to Jonabad, David's nephew, who suggested Amnon request Tamar bring food to him as he pretended to be sick in bed

2 Samuel 13:5 NIV

[5] “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’ ”

2 Samuel 13:7-8 NIV

[7] David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” [8] So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it.

** Tamar suggested to Amnon when he forced her to his bed that she was willing to marry him to make it legal; Amnon ignored her and raped Tamar after which he then hated her once his sensual desire was satisfied

2 Samuel 13:13-16 NIV

[13] What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” [14] But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. [15] Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” [16] “No!” she said to him. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.” But he refused to listen to her.

** Absalom invited Tamar to live in his house; David was furious at what had happened

2 Samuel 13:20-22 NIV

[20] Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman. [21] When King David heard all this, he was furious. [22] And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.

** Absalom killed Amnon during a family gathering; the report got back to David and Absalom fled

• Because Amnon would not accept responsibility for his sin, he was murdered

• Tamar was also unable to find peace because of Amnon’s response

• The only healthy was to deal with sin is to acknowledge our sin, accept responsibility for it and trust God to forgive us and then undo the harm we have done to others  <R1795>

2 Samuel 13:28-29 NIV

[28] Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave. ” [29] So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

** Absalom took revenge against Amnon because David wrongly refused to confront Amnon for his actions; David believed he lost the moral high ground when he slept with Bathsheba — David was still called to be leader in his family, which he neglected  <H86>

2 Samuel 13:30-32 NIV

[30] While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons; not one of them is left.” [31] The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn. [32] But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom's express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.