2 Samuel13
English Standard Version
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1 Now , , had a , whose was . And , , her.
2 And was so that he made himself because his , she was a , and it to to to her.
3 But had a , whose was , the of , . And was a .
4 And he to him, O of the , are you so after ? Will you me? to him, I , my .
5 to him, Lie on your and pretend to be . And when your to you, to him, Let my and me to eat, and the in my , that I may it and it from her .
6 So and pretended to be . And when the to him, to the , my and a of in my , that I may from her .
7 Then to , , to your and for him.
8 So to her , where he was lying . And she and it and in his and the .
9 And she the and emptied it him, but he to . And , Send me. So him.
10 Then to , the into the , that I may from your . And the she had and them into the to her .
11 But when she him to , he took of her and to her, , with me, my .
12 She him, , my , do me, such a is in ; do this thing.
13 As for me, where could I my ? And as for you, you would be as of the in . therefore, to the , he will me from you.
14 But , and being than she, he her and with her.
15 Then her with , so the hatred with which he her was than the with which he had her. And to her, Get ! !
16 But she to him, , my , for in is than the that you to me. But to her.
17 He the who him and , this woman of my and the her.
18 Now she was a with , were the of the . So his her and the her.
19 And on her and the that she wore. And she her on her and , as she went.
20 And her to her, Has your been you? Now hold your , my . He is your ; do to . So , a , in her .
21 When of , he was .
22 But , , he had his .
23 After had at , is , and the .
24 And to the and , , your has . the and his with your .
25 But the to , , my , us not , we be to you. He him, but but gave him his .
26 Then , If , let my with us. And the to him, should he with you?
27 But him until he let and the with him.
28 Then his , when is with , and when I to you, , then him. Do ; have I you? Be and be .
29 So the of to had . Then the , and his and .
30 While they were on the , to , has the , and of them is .
31 Then the and his and on the . And his who were by their .
32 But the of , , , my that they have the , the , is . the of this has been from the he his .
33 therefore my the so to as to that the are , for is .
34 But . And the who kept the his and , and , were from the him by the of the .
35 And to the , , the have come; as your , so it has about.
36 And as soon as he had , , the and their and . And the and his .
37 But and to the of , of . And David his day after .
38 So and to , and was .
39 And the spirit of the to to , he was , he was .
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2 Samuel 13Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 13. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Ammon's violence to his sister. (1–20). Absalom murders his brother Ammon. (21–29). David's grief, Absalom flees to Geshur. (30–39).
vv1-20
From henceforward David was followed with one trouble after another. Adultery and murder were David's sins, the like sins among his children were the beginnings of his punishment: he was too indulgent to his children. Thus David might trace the sins of his children to his own misconduct, which must have made the anguish of the chastisement worse. Let no one ever expect good treatment from those who are capable of attempting their seduction; but it is better to suffer the greatest wrong than to commit the least sin.
vv21-29
Observe the aggravations of Absalom's sin: he would have Ammon slain, when least fit to go out of the world. He engaged his servants in the guilt. Those servants are ill-taught who obey wicked masters, against God's commands. Indulged children always prove crosses to godly parents, whose foolish love leads them to neglect their duty to God.
vv30-39
Jonadab was as guilty of Ammon's death, as of his sin; such false friends do they prove, who counsel us to do wickedly. Instead of loathing Absalom as a murderer, David, after a time, longed to go forth to him. This was David's infirmity: God saw something in his heart that made a difference, else we should have thought that he, as much as Eli, honoured his sons more than God.
Key Words
אֲבִישָׁלוֹם: Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יָפֶה: beautiful (literally or figuratively)
אָחוֹת: a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively)
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
תָּמָר: Tamar, the name of three women and a place
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אַמְנוֹן: Amnon (or Aminon), a son of David
אָהַב: to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Cross References
2 Samuel 13Fulfills Nathan's prophecy that the sword would never depart from David's house because of his sin.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Establishes parentage: Absalom and Tamar were children of Maachah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Mosaic law explicitly forbids sexual relations with a half-sister or stepsister.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Shimeah (Shammah) as David's brother, making Jonadab a first cousin to Amnon and Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes 'folly in Israel' from Shechem's rape of Dinah; represents a grave violation of covenant holiness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Tamar's appeal reflects Abraham's historical precedent of marrying his half-sister Sarah.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the 'garment of divers colours' worn by royal virgins, evoking Joseph's distinctive tunic.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Eli's weak parental response to his sons' sins, leading to judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Amnon's murder while 'merry with wine' at a feast parallels Nabal's vulnerable, drunken state.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Continues the narrative of David's heart leaning toward the exiled Absalom, leading to Joab's intervention.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Absalom's silent, nursing hatred of his brother Amnon resembles Esau's vow to murder Jacob.
Supported by JFB
Highlights Absalom's dissimulation, concealing deep hatred behind long silence and normal interactions.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates sheep-shearing as a festive time of hospitality, which Absalom weaponized for murder.
Supported by JFB
Absalom's command to kill his brother mirrors David's written order to have Uriah killed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jonadab's knowledge of the plot reveals his original role as Amnon's subtle advisor.
Supported by Matthew Poole