Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 13

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 13:1, Amnon loving Tamar, by Jonadab’s counsel feigning himself sick, ravishes her; 2 Samuel 13:15, He hates her, and shamefully turns her away; 2 Samuel 13:19, Absalom entertains her, and conceals his purpose; 2 Samuel 13:23, At a sheep-shearing among all the king’s sons, he kills Amnon; 2 Samuel 13:31, David grieving at the news, is comforted by Jonadab; 2 Samuel 13:37, Absalom flies to Talmai at Geshur.

Verse 1

am 2972, bc 1032, A.Ex, Is, 459

Absalom: 2 Samuel 3:2, 2 Samuel 3:3, 1 Chronicles 3:2

a fair sister: 2 Samuel 11:2, Genesis 6:2, Genesis 39:6, Genesis 39:7, Proverbs 6:25, Proverbs 31:30

Tamar: 2 Samuel 14:27, 1 Chronicles 3:9

loved her: 2 Samuel 13:15, Genesis 29:18, Genesis 29:20, Genesis 34:3, 1 Kings 11:1

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:22 - General 2 Samuel 12:11 - I will raise 1 Chronicles 3:1 - Amnon Psalms 118:18 - chastened Proverbs 17:25 - General Proverbs 19:13 - foolish Song of Solomon 2:5 - for Ezekiel 22:11 - his sister

Verse 2

vexed: 1 Kings 21:4, Song of Solomon 5:8, 2 Corinthians 7:10

Amnon: etc. Heb. it was marvellous, or hidden, in the eyes of Amnon

Reciprocal: Song of Solomon 2:5 - for

Verse 3

a friend: Genesis 38:1, Genesis 38:20, Judges 14:20, Esther 5:10, Esther 5:14, Esther 6:13, Proverbs 19:6

Shimeah: 2 Samuel 13:32, 1 Samuel 16:9

Shimeah: subtil man, 2 Samuel 14:2, 2 Samuel 14:19, 2 Samuel 14:20, Genesis 3:1, Jeremiah 4:22, 1 Corinthians 3:19, James 3:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:13 - Shammah 1 Chronicles 27:32 - uncle Luke 16:8 - done

Verse 4

Why art: 1 Kings 21:7, Esther 5:13, Esther 5:14, Luke 12:32

lean: Heb. thin

from day to day: Heb. morning by morning, I love. Isaiah 3:9, Jeremiah 8:12, Micah 7:3

my brother: Leviticus 18:9, Leviticus 20:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:7 - Wherefore Numbers 11:6 - General 1 Kings 21:4 - And he laid him 1 Kings 21:5 - Why is thy spirit Esther 2:4 - the thing 2 Corinthians 7:10 - the sorrow

Verse 5

Lay thee: 2 Samuel 16:21-23, 2 Samuel 17:1-4, Psalms 50:18, Psalms 50:19, Proverbs 19:27, Mark 6:24, Mark 6:25, Acts 23:15

Verse 6

make me: Genesis 18:6, Matthew 13:33

Verse 7

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 15:1 - houses

Verse 8

she took: Dr. Russell says, "The Eastern ladies often wash their own hands, prepare cakes, pastry, etc. in their apartments; and some few particular dishes are cooked by themselves, but not in their apartments: on such occasions, they go to some room near the kitchen."

flour: or, paste

and made cakes: Rather, as Mr. Parkhurst renders, "and tossed it (wattelabbaiv) in his sight, and dressed the tossed cakes (halleveevoth)." This will receive illustration from the account which Mr. Jackson gives of the Arabian manner of kneading and baking. "They have a small place built with clay, between two and three feet high, having a hole at the bottom for the convenience of drawing out the ashes, something similar to that of a brick-kiln. The oven is usually about fifteen inches wide at top, and gradually grows wider to the bottom. It is heated with wood; and when sufficiently hot, and perfectly clear from smoke, having nothing but clear embers at bottom, which continue to reflect great heat, they prepare the dough in a large bowl, and mould the cakes to the desired size on a board or stone placed near the oven. After they have kneaded the cake to a proper consistency, they pat it a little, then toss it about with great dexterity in one hand till it is as thin as they choose to make it. They then wet one side of it with water, at the same time wetting the hand and arm with which they put it into the oven." 2 Samuel 13:8

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:22 - General 1 Chronicles 15:1 - houses

Verse 9

And Amnon: Genesis 45:1, Judges 3:19, John 3:20

Verse 11

Come lie: Genesis 39:11, Genesis 39:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:16 - Go to Genesis 39:7 - Lie Leviticus 18:9 - General

Verse 12

force me: Heb. humble me, Genesis 34:2, Deuteronomy 22:29

no such thing ought: Heb. it ought not so, Leviticus 18:9, Leviticus 18:11, Leviticus 20:17

folly: Genesis 34:7, Judges 19:23, Judges 20:6, Proverbs 5:22, Proverbs 5:23, Proverbs 7:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:9 - ought Deuteronomy 22:21 - she hath wrought 2 Samuel 3:33 - as a fool dieth Ecclesiastes 7:25 - know James 3:10 - these

Verse 13

Now therefore: Genesis 19:8, Judges 19:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:4 - General Genesis 34:7 - wrought Deuteronomy 22:21 - she hath wrought Joshua 7:15 - wrought Judges 20:6 - folly in Israel 2 Samuel 3:33 - as a fool dieth 1 Chronicles 21:8 - I have done Job 2:10 - as one Zechariah 9:11 - As

Verse 14

forced her: 2 Samuel 12:11, Deuteronomy 22:25-27, Judges 20:5, Esther 7:8

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 23:5 - Although Ezekiel 22:11 - his sister

Verse 15

hated her: Ezekiel 23:17

exceedingly: Heb. with great hatred greatly

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:7 - Cursed 2 Samuel 13:1 - loved her 2 Samuel 13:36 - very sore Ezekiel 23:29 - deal

Verse 18

a garment: Genesis 37:3, Genesis 37:32, Judges 5:30, Psalms 45:13, Psalms 45:14

Verse 19

put ashes: 2 Samuel 1:2, Joshua 7:6, Job 2:12, Job 42:6

laid her: Jeremiah 2:37

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:13 - General Leviticus 13:45 - his clothes 1 Samuel 4:12 - with earth 2 Samuel 15:32 - coat rent 1 Kings 20:41 - the ashes away 2 Chronicles 11:12 - he put shields Esther 4:1 - with ashes Job 2:8 - he sat Lamentations 2:10 - cast up Malachi 2:13 - covering Revelation 18:19 - they cast

Verse 20

Amnon: Heb. Aminon

but hold: Proverbs 26:24, Romans 12:19

regard not: Heb. set not thine heart on

desolate: Heb. and desolate. Genesis 34:2, Genesis 46:15

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:3 - Absalom 2 Samuel 19:19 - take it 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Absalom Malachi 2:13 - covering Galatians 4:27 - desolate

Verse 21

he was very wroth: The Septuagint and Vulgate add,

ךבי ןץך וכץנחףו פן נםוץלב לםשם פןץ ץיןץ בץפןץ, ןפי חדבנב בץפןם, ןפי נסשפןפןךןע בץפןץ חם.

et noluit contristare spiritum Amnon filii sui, quoniam diligebat eum, quia primogenituj erat ei.

"But he would not grieve the soul of Amnon his son, for he loved him because he was his first-born." The same addition is found in Josephus; and it is probable that it once formed a part of the Hebrew Text. 2 Samuel 3:28, 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Samuel 12:5, 2 Samuel 12:10, Genesis 34:7, 1 Samuel 2:22-25, 1 Samuel 2:29, Psalms 101:8 "

Verse 22

spake: Leviticus 19:17, Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 25:9, Matthew 18:15

neither good: Genesis 24:50, Genesis 31:24, Genesis 31:29

hated: Leviticus 19:17, Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 10:18, Proverbs 26:24, Proverbs 27:4-6, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Ephesians 4:26, Ephesians 4:31, 1 John 3:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:5 - now his Genesis 49:7 - Cursed Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust 2 Chronicles 11:12 - he put shields Esther 5:10 - refrained Proverbs 18:19 - brother Proverbs 24:29 - I will do Proverbs 26:26 - Whose hatred is covered by deceit

Verse 23

am 2974, bc 1030, An, Ex, Is 461

sheepshearers: Genesis 38:12, Genesis 38:13, 1 Samuel 25:2, 1 Samuel 25:4, 1 Samuel 25:36, 2 Kings 3:4, 2 Chronicles 26:10

invited: 1 Kings 1:9, 1 Kings 1:19, 1 Kings 1:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:13 - deceitfully Esther 5:10 - refrained Proverbs 10:18 - that hideth Mark 6:21 - when John 11:54 - Ephraim

Verse 24

let the king: 2 Samuel 11:8-15, Psalms 12:2, Psalms 55:21, Jeremiah 41:6, Jeremiah 41:7

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:2 - shearing 2 Samuel 15:7 - let me go Luke 18:5 - because

Verse 25

pressed: Genesis 19:2, Genesis 19:3, Judges 19:7-10, Luke 14:23, Luke 24:29, Acts 16:15

blessed: 2 Samuel 14:22, *marg. Ruth 2:4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:35 - a burden 2 Samuel 19:39 - blessed

Verse 26

let my brother: He urged this with the more plausibility because Amnon was the first-born, and presumptive heir to the crown; and he had dissembled his resentment so long and so well that he was not suspected. 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 11:13-15, 2 Samuel 20:9, Psalms 55:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:8 - talked Proverbs 23:7 - Eat Daniel 11:27 - shall be to Habakkuk 2:15 - unto James 3:6 - a world

Verse 27

Absalom: Proverbs 26:24-26

Verse 28

commanded: 2 Samuel 11:15, Exodus 1:16, Exodus 1:17, 1 Samuel 22:17, 1 Samuel 22:18, Acts 5:29

heart is merry: 2 Samuel 11:13, Genesis 9:21, Genesis 19:32-35, Judges 19:6, Judges 19:9, Judges 19:22, Ruth 3:7, 1 Samuel 25:36-38, 1 Kings 20:16, Esther 1:10, Psalms 104:15, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Ecclesiastes 10:19, Daniel 5:2-6, Daniel 5:30, Nahum 1:10, Luke 21:34

fear not: Numbers 22:16, Numbers 22:17, 1 Samuel 28:10, 1 Samuel 28:13

have not I: or, Will you not, since I have, etc. Joshua 1:9

valiant: Heb. sons of valour

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:41 - then Exodus 1:18 - Why have Leviticus 19:18 - not avenge Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust Deuteronomy 27:24 - General Joshua 8:8 - I have Judges 16:25 - their hearts 1 Samuel 18:22 - servants 1 Samuel 30:16 - eating 2 Samuel 3:33 - as a fool dieth 2 Samuel 12:10 - the sword 2 Samuel 12:11 - I will raise 2 Samuel 14:30 - go and set 2 Samuel 15:10 - spies 2 Samuel 23:5 - Although 1 Kings 16:9 - drinking 1 Kings 20:12 - drinking Job 1:18 - eating Proverbs 18:19 - brother Proverbs 20:1 - General Proverbs 23:29 - Who hath woe Proverbs 23:34 - thou Ecclesiastes 7:4 - the heart Ecclesiastes 7:9 - anger Isaiah 5:14 - he that rejoiceth Isaiah 21:4 - the night Ezekiel 22:11 - his sister Hosea 7:6 - they Amos 8:10 - I will turn Luke 12:20 - God 1 Peter 4:3 - excess

Verse 29

servants: 1 Samuel 22:18, 1 Samuel 22:19, 1 Kings 21:11-13, 2 Kings 1:9-12, Proverbs 29:12, Micah 7:3

gat him up: Heb. rode

mule: 2 Samuel 18:9, Genesis 36:24, Leviticus 19:19, 1 Kings 1:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:41 - then Numbers 35:20 - if he thrust 1 Samuel 18:22 - servants 2 Samuel 3:33 - as a fool dieth 2 Samuel 12:10 - the sword 2 Samuel 12:11 - I will raise 2 Samuel 14:30 - go and set 1 Kings 16:9 - drinking 1 Chronicles 3:1 - Amnon Isaiah 5:14 - he that rejoiceth Isaiah 21:4 - the night Ezekiel 22:11 - his sister Hosea 7:6 - they Luke 12:20 - God 2 Corinthians 9:14 - long

Verse 30

Reciprocal: Judges 11:35 - rent his clothes

Verse 31

arose: 2 Samuel 12:16, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:34, Joshua 7:6, Job 1:20

all his servants: 2 Samuel 1:11, 2 Samuel 3:31

Reciprocal: Judges 11:35 - rent his clothes

Verse 32

Jonadab: 2 Samuel 13:3-5

Shimeah: 1 Samuel 16:9, Shammah

David's brother: This was a very bad man: he had given his cousin Amnon the most detestable advice; and here speaks coolly of a most bloody tragedy of which he had been the cause.

appointment: Heb. mouth

determined: or, settled, Genesis 27:41, Psalms 7:14, Proverbs 24:11, Proverbs 24:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:13 - Shammah Ecclesiastes 7:9 - anger

Verse 33

let not my lord: 2 Samuel 19:19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:25 - regard

Verse 34

Absalom fled: 2 Samuel 13:38, Genesis 4:8-14, Proverbs 28:17, Amos 5:19

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 9:17 - a watchman

Verse 35

as they servant said, Heb. according to the word of thy servant, 2 Samuel 13:35

Verse 36

very sore: Heb. with a great weeping greatly, 2 Samuel 13:15, *marg. 2 Samuel 12:21, 2 Samuel 18:33

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:10 - wept sore Job 2:12 - their voice

Verse 37

Absalom fled: As Absalom had committed wilful murder, he could not avail himself of a city of refuge; but went to Talmai, king of Geshur, his maternal grandfather.

Talmai: 2 Samuel 3:3, 1 Chronicles 3:2

Ammihud: or, Ammihur

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:14 - Geshuri Joshua 12:5 - unto the Joshua 13:2 - Geshuri Joshua 13:13 - expelled 1 Samuel 27:8 - the Geshurites 2 Samuel 14:13 - in that the king 2 Samuel 14:23 - Geshur 2 Samuel 15:8 - Geshur

Verse 38

am 2974-2977, bc 1030-1027, An, Ex, Is, 461-464, Geshur. This was not the Geshur lying between Philistia and Egypt - Joshua 13:13. 1 Samuel 27:8, but another in Syria; probably the same as that beyond Jordan, whose inhabitants are joined with those of Maachathi, Deuteronomy 3:14. Joshua 12:5. 2 Samuel 14:23, 2 Samuel 14:32, 2 Samuel 15:8

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:2 - Geshuri 2 Samuel 3:3 - Talmai 2 Samuel 13:34 - Absalom fled 2 Samuel 14:13 - in that the king 2 Samuel 15:7 - forty years 1 Chronicles 2:23 - Geshur 1 Chronicles 3:2 - Absalom

Verse 39

the soul of: Genesis 31:30, Deuteronomy 28:32, Philippians 2:26

longed: or, was consumed, Psalms 84:2, Psalms 119:20

comforted: 2 Samuel 12:23, Genesis 24:67, Genesis 37:35, Genesis 38:12

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:20 - I will 2 Samuel 14:1 - toward Absalom Psalms 109:4 - For my Romans 1:11 - I long 2 Corinthians 12:15 - though 1 Thessalonians 2:17 - endeavoured