Study Desk

In the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent out Yo'av, his servants who were with him and all Isra'el. They ravaged the people of ‘Amon and laid siege to Rabbah. But David stayed in Yerushalayim.

But Uriyah slept at the door of the king's palace with all the servants of his lord and didn't go down to his house.

David summoned him, ate and drank with him, and got him drunk. But in the evening he went out and lay on his bed with his lord's servants and did not go down to his house.

The messenger said to David, "The men were overpowering us and came out after us into the countryside. But we chased them back all the way to the entrance of the city gate.

When the mourning was over, David sent and took her home to his palace, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But Adonai saw what David had done as evil.

but the poor man had nothing, except for one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and reared. It had grown up with him and his children; it ate from his plate, drank from his cup, lay on his chest — it was like a daughter to him.

For you did it secretly, but I will do this before all Isra'el in broad daylight.'"

The court officials got up and stood next to him trying to get him off the ground, but he refused, and he wouldn't eat food with them.

But when David saw his servants whispering to each other, he suspected that the child was dead. David asked his servants, "Is the child dead?" and they answered, "He is dead."

His servants asked him, "What are you doing? You fasted and wept for the child while it was alive; but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat food!"

But now that he's dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

But Amnon had a friend named Yonadav the son of Shim‘ah David's brother; and Yonadav was a very shrewd fellow.

Then she took the pan and turned them out in front of him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Have everyone leave me"; and everyone left him.

But when she brought them near, so that he could eat, he grabbed her and said to her, "Come to bed with me, my sister."

But then he was filled with utter revulsion for her — his hatred of her was even greater than the love he had had for her before. Amnon said to her, "Get up, and get out of here!"

"No," she objected, "because throwing me out like this is an even worse thing than what you've already done to me!" But he wouldn't listen to her;

Avshalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now, my sister, keep quiet; because he's your brother. Don't take the matter to heart." But Tamar remained desolate in her brother Avshalom's house.

The king replied to Avshalom, "No, my son, let's not all go — we don't want to be a burden to you." Avshalom pressed him, but he wouldn't go; however he gave him his blessing.

But Avshalom kept pressing him, so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

Avshalom ordered his servants, "Pay close attention: when Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine, and I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,' then strike him down. Don't be afraid — I'm the one ordering you to do it — but take courage, and be bold."