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2 Samuel 13

The chapter traces sexual violence within David’s household, Tamar’s unresolved suffering, and Absalom’s calculated revenge against Amnon.

Amnon uses Jonadab’s plan to lure his half-sister Tamar into his room, where he rapes her despite her protests, then casts her out. Tamar mourns and remains desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. David hears and becomes angry, but the account records no punishment. Absalom waits two years before arranging Amnon’s murder at a sheep-shearing feast. The surviving princes return to a grieving David, while Absalom flees to Geshur and stays there three years.

injustice and angerfamily conflictgrief
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1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
5Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please 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 it from her hand.’”
9She took the pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Have all men leave me.” Then every man went out from him.
11When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister!”
12She answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly!
13As for me, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
14However, he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
15Then Amnon hated her with exceedingly great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
18She had a garment of various colors on her, for the king’s daughters who were virgins dressed in such robes. Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her.
19Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
20Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
25The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!”
29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.
31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
34But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.
36As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voices and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
2 Samuel 13:19Tamar’s ashes, torn robe, and public crying make her devastation visible after Amnon has silenced and expelled her.
2 Samuel 13:22Absalom’s silence toward Amnon conceals hatred that will become a planned killing two years later.
2 Samuel 13:28Absalom turns a family feast into an ambush, using his authority to command his servants to murder Amnon.
Where this chapter reaches

Genesis recounts Dinah’s sexual violation followed by her brothers’ violent retaliation, a shared pattern of assault and family vengeance that also appears here. Leviticus prohibits sexual relations between siblings, placing Amnon’s act within an explicit boundary of Israel’s law.

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After reading the whole chapter

What do Tamar’s words and mourning reveal that the men around her fail to address?

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How does the contrast between David’s anger and Absalom’s planning shape your reading of the household’s collapse?

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Questions people ask about 2 Samuel 13

What happened to Tamar in 2 Samuel 13?

Amnon deceived Tamar into caring for him, isolated her, and raped her despite her clear refusal. He then had her expelled and the door bolted. Tamar mourned in public and remained desolate in Absalom’s house. The chapter gives no account of her recovery or of justice being done for her.

Why did Tamar ask Amnon to speak to the king about marriage?

Tamar makes this plea while trying to stop Amnon from forcing her. The text does not explain whether she thought David would permit marriage or was seeking time and escape. Leviticus prohibits sexual relations between half-siblings, so her desperate words cannot establish that such a marriage was lawful.

Why didn’t David punish Amnon?

The supplied text says David was very angry when he heard what happened, but it records no punishment and gives no reason for that absence. Claims about his motives go beyond this account. Absalom’s hatred, the two-year delay, and his eventual revenge unfold without any recorded intervention by David.

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2 Samuel · 24 chapters
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).