1
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fairsister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of Davidloved her.
2
And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sisterTamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnonthought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
3
But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a verysubtilman.
4
And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnonsaid unto him, I loveTamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
5
And Jonadabsaid unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy fathercometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sisterTamarcome, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
6
So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnonsaid unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sistercome, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
7
Then Davidsenthome to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
8
So Tamarwent to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she tookflour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9
And she took a pan, and poured them outbefore him; but he refused to eat. And Amnonsaid, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
10
And Amnonsaid unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamartook the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11
And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Comelie with me, my sister.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15
Then Amnonhated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnonsaid unto her, Arise, be gone.
16
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.
17
Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the doorafter her.
18
And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virginsapparelled. Then his servantbrought her out, and bolted the doorafter her.
19
And Tamarputasheson her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her handon her head, and wentoncrying.
20
And Absalom her brothersaid 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 Tamarremaineddesolate in her brotherAbsalom's house.
21
But when kingDavidheard of all these things, he was verywroth.
22
And Absalomspake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for AbsalomhatedAmnon, because he had forced his sisterTamar.
23
And it came to pass after two fullyears, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalominvited all the king's sons.
24
And Absalomcame to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servantsgo with thy servant.
25
And the kingsaid 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.
26
Then saidAbsalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brotherAmnongo with us. And the kingsaid unto him, Why should he go with thee?
27
But Absalompressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sonsgo with him.
28
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, SmiteAmnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
29
And the servants of Absalomdid unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sonsarose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
30
And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidingscame to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
31
Then the kingarose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servantsstood by with their clothesrent.
32
And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lordsuppose 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 sisterTamar.
33
Now therefore let not my lord the kingtake the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
34
But Absalomfled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there camemuchpeople by the way of the hillsidebehind him.
35
And Jonadabsaid unto the king, Behold, the king's sonscome: as thy servantsaid, so it is.
36
And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sonscame, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servantsweptverysore.
37
But Absalomfled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38
So Absalomfled, and went to Geshur, and was there threeyears.
39
And the soul of kingDavidlonged to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.