1And it came to pass after this , that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar ; and Amnon the son of David loved her . 2And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar ; for she was a virgin ; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her . 3But Amnon had a friend , whose name was Jonadab , the son of Shimeah , David ’s brother : and Jonadab was a very subtle man . 4And he said unto him , Why , O son of the king , art thou thus lean from day to day ? wilt thou not tell me ? And Amnon said unto him , I love Tamar , my brother Absalom’s sister. 5And Jonadab said unto him , Lay thee down on thy bed , and feign thyself sick : and when thy father cometh to see thee , say unto him , Let my sister Tamar come , I pray thee , and give me bread to eat , and dress the food in my sight , that I may see it , and eat it from her hand . 6So Amnon lay down , and feigned himself sick : and when the king was come to see him , Amnon said unto the king , Let my sister Tamar come , I pray thee , and make me a couple of cakes in my sight , that I may eat from her hand . 7Then David sent home to Tamar , saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house , and dress him food . 8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house ; and he was laid down . And she took dough , and kneaded it , and made cakes in his sight , and did bake the cakes . 9And she took the 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 . 10And Amnon said unto Tamar , Bring the food into the chamber , that I may eat from thy hand . And Tamar took the cakes which she had made , and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11And when she had brought them near unto him to eat, he took hold of her , and said unto her , Come , lie with me , my sister. 12And she answered him , Nay , my brother, do not force me ; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel : do not thou this folly . 13And I , whither shall I carry my shame ? and as for thee , thou wilt be as one of the fools in Israel . Now therefore , I pray thee , speak unto the king ; for he will not withhold me from thee . 14Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice ; but being stronger than she , he forced her , and lay with her .
Tamar's Despair and Absalom's Revenge
15Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred ; for the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her . And Amnon said unto her , Arise , be gone . 16And she said unto him , Not so , because this great wrong in putting me forth is worse than the other that thou didst unto me . But he would not hearken unto her . 17Then he called his servant that ministered unto him , and said , Put now this woman out from me , and bolt the door after her . 18And she had a garment of divers colors 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 . 19And Tamar put ashes on her head , and rent her garment of divers colors that was on her ; and she laid her hand on her head , and went her way , crying aloud as she went . 20And Absalom her brother said unto her , Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but now hold thy peace , my sister: he is thy brother; take not 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 wroth . 22And Absalom spake unto Amnon neither good nor bad ; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar . 23And it came to pass after two full years , that Absalom had sheep-shearers in Baal-hazor , which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king ’s sons . 24And Absalom came to the king , and said, Behold now , thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king , I pray thee , and his servants go with thy servant . 25And the king said to Absalom, Nay , my son , let us not all go , lest we be burdensome unto thee . And he pressed him : howbeit he would not go , but blessed him . 26Then said Absalom, If not , I pray thee , let my brother Amnon go with us . And the king said unto him , Why should he go with thee ? 27But Absalom pressed him , and he let Amnon and all the king ’s sons go with him . 28And Absalom commanded his servants , saying, Mark ye now , when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine ; and when I say unto you , Smite Amnon, then kill him ; fear not ; have not I commanded you ? be courageous , and be valiant . 29And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded . Then all the king ’s sons arose , and every man gat him up upon his mule , and fled .
The Aftermath of Amnon's Death
30And it came to pass , while they were in the way , that the tidings came to David , saying, Absalom hath slain all the king ’s sons , and there is not one of them left . 31Then the king arose , and rent his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent . 32And Jonadab , the son of Shimeah , David ’s brother, answered and said , Let not 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 hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar . 33Now therefore let 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 . 34But Absalom 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 . 35And Jonadab said unto the king , Behold , the king ’s sons are come : as thy servant said , so it is . 36And 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 very sore . 37But Absalom fled , and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur . And David mourned for his son every day . 38So Absalom fled , and went to Geshur , and was there three years . 39And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead .