ScriptureDepth's study of 2 Samuel 13
“However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her.”
2 Samuel 13:14
The narrator recounts that Amnon disregards Tamar's plea and, being stronger, forces her to lie with him, which begins the tragic unraveling of their family.
What 2 Samuel 13 is about
Absalom, the son of David, had a beautiful sister named Tamar, whom Amnon loved (vv. 1-2). Amnon became sick over his desire for her, and with Jonadab's clever advice, he pretended to be ill to get her alone (vv. 3-6). When Tamar came to care for him, Amnon took advantage of her, assaulting her despite her protests (vv. 7-14). Afterward, Amnon's feelings turned to hatred, and he cast Tamar out (vv. 15-17). Tamar mourned her fate, expressing despair as she left with torn garments (vv. 18-20). Absalom learned of the situation and grew to hate Amnon for what he had done (vv. 21-22). Two years later, Absalom planned revenge during a feast, commanding his servants to kill Amnon (vv. 23-29). After the murder, David was informed and mourned greatly, thinking all his sons were dead (vv. 30-31). Jonadab clarified that only Amnon had died, as he had been killed for forcing Tamar (vv. 32-33). Absalom then fled to Geshur, remaining there for three years (vv. 34-39).
The chapter leaves the reader with David mourning his son Amnon while Absalom remains in exile.
2 Samuel 13 at a glance
- 2 Samuel 13:1–6Amnon's Obsession with Tamar
- 2 Samuel 13:7–14Amnon's Assault on Tamar
- 2 Samuel 13:15–20Tamar's Despair
- 2 Samuel 13:21–29Absalom's Revenge
- 2 Samuel 13:30–38David's Mourning
- 2 Samuel 13:39Absalom's Exile
Key verse: 2 Samuel 13:14
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read 2 Samuel 13 (WEB)
Amnon's Obsession with Tamar 2 Samuel 13:1–6
1Verse 1. After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2Verse 2. Amnon 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. 3Verse 3. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4Verse 4. He 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.”
5Verse 5. Jonadab 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.’” 6Verse 6. So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
Amnon's Assault on Tamar 2 Samuel 13:7–14
7Verse 7. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.” 8Verse 8. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. She took dough, and kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9Verse 9. She 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. 10Verse 10. Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother.
11Verse 11. When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister!” 12Verse 12. She 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. 13Verse 13. As 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.” 14Verse 14. However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her.
Tamar's Despair 2 Samuel 13:15–20
15Verse 15. Then 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!” 16Verse 16. She said to him, “Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!” But he would not listen to her. 17Verse 17. Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Now put this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.” 18Verse 18. She 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.
19Verse 19. Tamar 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. 20Verse 20. Absalom 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.
Absalom's Revenge 2 Samuel 13:21–29
21Verse 21. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 22Verse 22. Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23Verse 23. After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24Verse 24. Absalom came to the king, and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25Verse 25. The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
26Verse 26. Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27Verse 27. But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28Verse 28. Absalom 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!” 29Verse 29. The 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.
David's Mourning 2 Samuel 13:30–38
30Verse 30. While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!” 31Verse 31. Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32Verse 32. Jonadab, 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. 33Verse 33. Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”
34Verse 34. But 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. 35Verse 35. Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.” 36Verse 36. As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly. 37Verse 37. But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 38Verse 38. So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
Absalom's Exile 2 Samuel 13:39
39Verse 39. King David longed to go out to Absalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in 2 Samuel 13
lust and desire
Amnon's obsession with Tamar is evident in his deep longing for her, described in v. 2 where he became 'sick because of his sister Tamar'. The text details how Amnon's desire drives him to deceit, as he plots with Jonadab in v. 5, leading to his tragic actions. His overwhelming lust ultimately leads to destruction, showcasing the devastating consequences of unchecked desire.
betrayal and justice
After Amnon's assault on Tamar in verses 11-14, she faces betrayal not only from him but also from those who should protect her, including David, who fails to act decisively. Absalom's response in verse 22 reveals his internal conflict and growing hatred towards Amnon. The chapter culminates in Absalom's calculated revenge in verses 28-29, where he enacts brutal justice, highlighting the cycle of betrayal within the family.
the consequences of sin
The chapter depicts the consequences of Amnon's sin, particularly in verse 15, where his initial desire turns into hatred after he forces Tamar. Tamar's despair in verse 19, as she 'went her way, crying aloud', illustrates the emotional fallout of Amnon's actions. The repercussions extend to Absalom's revenge and David's mourning, showing the far-reaching impacts of sin within the family.
family dysfunction
The dynamics of David’s family are fraught with dysfunction, seen in Tamar's isolation following her assault in v. 20 as she 'remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house'. Absalom's silent hatred toward Amnon in v. 22 further complicates their relationships. The chapter culminates in Absalom’s violent retaliation, highlighting how unresolved issues and lack of communication within the family lead to tragic outcomes.
Chapter outline
How 2 Samuel 13 unfolds
2 Samuel 13:1–6 Amnon's Obsession with Tamar
Amnon is infatuated with his half-sister Tamar and becomes so troubled that he feigns illness to get her alone (vv. 1-6). He enlists the help of Jonadab, who devises a deceptive plan.
2 Samuel 13:7–14 Amnon's Assault on Tamar
Tamar goes to her brother Amnon's house to prepare food, but he forces her to lie with him despite her protests, saying, 'No, my brother, do not force me!' (vv. 12-14).
2 Samuel 13:15–20 Tamar's Despair
After the assault, Amnon's feelings turn to hatred, and he rejects Tamar, who expresses that his act has brought greater shame upon her (vv. 15-20). She mourns publicly, displaying her grief.
2 Samuel 13:21–29 Absalom's Revenge
Absalom, Tamar's brother, learns of the situation and harbors hatred for Amnon (vv. 21-29). He plans and executes revenge by killing Amnon during a sheep-shearing feast.
2 Samuel 13:30–38 David's Mourning
David is devastated upon hearing that his sons have all been killed, but Jonadab reassures him that only Amnon is dead (vv. 30-36). David mourns deeply for Amnon.
2 Samuel 13:39 Absalom's Exile
King David longs to go out to Absalom, feeling comforted by Amnon's death, as stated, 'for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead' (v. 39).
Key verses
2 Samuel 13:14The narrator recounts that Amnon disregards Tamar's plea and, being stronger, forces her to lie with him, which begins the tragic unraveling of their family.
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Study questions
Questions for studying 2 Samuel 13
- observeIn v3, what does Jonadab mean when he is described as a 'very subtle man'?
- observeWhat does Tamar do to express her grief in v19 when she puts ashes on her head?
- interpretWhy does Amnon's hatred for Tamar become greater than his initial love for her in v15?
- interpretWhat might Absalom's response in v20 to Tamar's situation suggest about his character?
- applyWhen has someone's betrayal left you feeling desolate like Tamar in v20?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo 2 Samuel 13
- Joshua 12 Samuel 13:28 and Joshua 1:9Both encourage courage: 2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom commands his servants to be courageous, while Joshua 1:9 calls for strength and courage.
- 2 Samuel 142 Samuel 13:37 and 2 Samuel 14:13Both refer to Absalom's actions: 2 Samuel 13:37 shows Absalom fleeing, while 2 Samuel 14:13 discusses the king's guilt over his banished son.
- 2 Samuel 122 Samuel 13:31 and 2 Samuel 12:16Both depict mourning: 2 Samuel 13:31 shows David tearing his garments, while 2 Samuel 12:16 shows him lying on the ground in grief.
- 1 Samuel 252 Samuel 13:23 and 1 Samuel 25:2Both involve sheep shearing: 2 Samuel 13:23 describes Absalom's sheep shearers, while 1 Samuel 25:2 mentions Nabal's sheep shearing.
- Judges 192 Samuel 13:12 and Judges 19:23Both warn against folly: 2 Samuel 13:12 shows Tamar imploring Amnon not to act, while Judges 19:23 shows a man pleading against wickedness.
- 2 Samuel 32 Samuel 13:1 and 2 Samuel 3:2Both mention family: 2 Samuel 13:1 introduces Tamar as Absalom's sister, while 2 Samuel 3:2 lists Amnon as David's firstborn son.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with 2 Samuel 13
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- 2 Samuel: the whole bookSecond Samuel is David's reign in two halves — ascent and unraveling — hinged on a single spring evening.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 99Day 99 of 365: 2 Samuel 11–13.
- RepentanceWhat the Bible says about repentance, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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