📖 2 Samuel — Chapter 13 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Samuel 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that RAbsalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so Rvexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and TAmnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.
2 Samuel 13:3 But Amnon had Ra friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
2 Samuel 13:4 And he said unto him, RWhy art thou, being the king’s son, Tlean Tfrom day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.
2 Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, RLay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
2 Samuel 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and Rmake me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
2 Samuel 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.
2 Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took Tflour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
2 Samuel 13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
2 Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
2 Samuel 13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, RCome lie with me, my sister.
2 Samuel 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not RTforce me; for Tno such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
2 Samuel 13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. RNow therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
2 Samuel 13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, Rforced her, and lay with her.
2 Samuel 13:15 Then Amnon hated her Texceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
2 Samuel 13:16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
2 Samuel 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
2 Samuel 13:18 And she had Ra garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar Rput ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
2 Samuel 13:20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath TAmnon thy brother been with thee? Rbut hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; Tregard not this thing. So Tamar remained Tdesolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
2 Samuel 13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, Rhe was very wroth.
2 Samuel 13:22 And Absalom Rspake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
2 Samuel 13:23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had Rsheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
2 Samuel 13:24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; Rlet the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
2 Samuel 13:25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he Rpressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
2 Samuel 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, Rlet my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
2 Samuel 13:27 But RAbsalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s Rheart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: Thave not I commanded you? be courageous, and be Tvaliant.
2 Samuel 13:29 And the Rservants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man Tgat him up upon his mule, and fled.
2 Samuel 13:30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
2 Samuel 13:31 Then the king Rarose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
2 Samuel 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of RShimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the Tappointment of Absalom this hath been Tdetermined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
2 Samuel 13:33 Now therefore Rlet not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
2 Samuel 13:34 But RAbsalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
2 Samuel 13:35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: Tas thy servant said, so it is.
2 Samuel 13:36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept RTvery sore.
2 Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to RTalmai, the son of TAmmihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
2 Samuel 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to RGeshur, and was there three years.
2 Samuel 13:39 And Rthe soul of king David Tlonged to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 13:1–14 — Tamar refuses Amnon’s violence
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jonadab helps Amnon arrange a deceptive request for Tamar’s care. Amnon then isolates her, ignores her explicit refusal, and rapes her. Tamar speaks clearly against the wrongdoing. The passage gives no basis for blaming her: responsibility rests with the man who disregards her voice and uses force.
Key Truth: A victim’s refusal and dignity must be heard and respected.
Check What You Remember
1. Who suggested Amnon pretend to be sick? (2 Samuel 13:5)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:5 (KJV).
2. Who made cakes for Amnon? (2 Samuel 13:8)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:8 (KJV).
3. Did Amnon listen to Tamar’s voice? (2 Samuel 13:14)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 13:15–22 — Tamar’s grief and the family’s response
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Amnon turns against Tamar and has her expelled. She tears her garment and cries, then remains desolate in Absalom’s house. David is angry, but this passage records no action by him to protect her or judge Amnon. Absalom’s instruction to be quiet must not be taken as advice to silence people who disclose abuse.
Key Truth: Anger at abuse is insufficient without care and accountability.
Check What You Remember
1. Who had Tamar put outside? (2 Samuel 13:17)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:17 (KJV).
2. What did Tamar put on her head? (2 Samuel 13:19)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:19 (KJV).
3. In whose house did Tamar remain? (2 Samuel 13:20)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 13:23–39 — Absalom takes revenge and flees
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
After two years, Absalom arranges Amnon’s murder at a feast. David first hears a false report that all his sons are dead; Jonadab explains that Amnon alone has died. Absalom flees to Geshur. Revenge adds another death to a family already harmed by abuse and failures of justice.
Key Truth: Personal revenge does not repair the harm done to a victim.
Check What You Remember
1. How long passed before the sheepshearing invitation? (2 Samuel 13:23)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:23 (KJV).
2. Which son did Absalom command his servants to kill? (2 Samuel 13:28)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:28 (KJV).
3. Where did Absalom flee? (2 Samuel 13:37)
Find it in 2 Samuel 13:37 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 82:3 — This passage calls for defending vulnerable people and doing justice.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Consider Tamar’s clear words and the failure to care adequately for her. How can you listen seriously, protect a person from further harm, and support truthful accountability rather than silence or revenge?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Jonadab’s advice create the setting for Amnon’s wrongdoing?
2. What does Tamar’s protest make clear about the act?
3. How does Amnon’s conduct change after the assault?
4. How is Tamar’s suffering and condition afterward described?
5. How does Absalom’s later action grow from the earlier wrong?
Notes
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