2 Samuel 13

About 2 Samuel 2 Samuel covers King David's reign, his successes and failures, and God's promise of a lasting dynasty.

And 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:1Ask

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.Selected2 Samuel 13:2Ask

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.Selected2 Samuel 13:3Ask

And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.Selected2 Samuel 13:4Ask

And Jonadab said unto him, Lay 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:5Ask

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 make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.Selected2 Samuel 13:6Ask

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.Selected2 Samuel 13:7Ask

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.Selected2 Samuel 13:8Ask

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.Selected2 Samuel 13:9Ask

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.Selected2 Samuel 13:10Ask

And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.Selected2 Samuel 13:11Ask

And 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:12Ask

And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:13Ask

Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.Selected2 Samuel 13:14Ask

Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:15Ask

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.Selected2 Samuel 13:16Ask

Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.Selected2 Samuel 13:17Ask

And she had a 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:18Ask

And Tamar put 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:19Ask

And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.Selected2 Samuel 13:20Ask

But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.Selected2 Samuel 13:21Ask

And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.Selected2 Samuel 13:22Ask

And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.Selected2 Samuel 13:23Ask

And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.Selected2 Samuel 13:24Ask

And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.Selected2 Samuel 13:25Ask

Then 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?Selected2 Samuel 13:26Ask

But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.Selected2 Samuel 13:27Ask

Now Absalom had 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:28Ask

And 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:29Ask

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.Selected2 Samuel 13:30Ask

Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.Selected2 Samuel 13:31Ask

And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah 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 appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.Selected2 Samuel 13:32Ask

Now 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:33Ask

But 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.Selected2 Samuel 13:34Ask

And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.Selected2 Samuel 13:35Ask

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 very sore.Selected2 Samuel 13:36Ask

But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.Selected2 Samuel 13:37Ask

So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.Selected2 Samuel 13:38Ask

And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.Selected2 Samuel 13:39Ask

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All 24 chapters of 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 13

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