2 Samuel · WEB-C
2 Samuel
13
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After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. See also: 1 Chronicles 3:92 Samuel 3:2-32 Samuel 13:15Amnon 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. See also: 2 Corinthians 7:10Song of Songs 5:81 Kings 21:4But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. See also: 1 Samuel 16:91 Corinthians 3:192 Samuel 13:32He 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.” See also: Esther 5:13-14Leviticus 18:9Jeremiah 8:12Jonadab 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.’” See also: Mark 6:24-25Psalms 50:18-19Acts 23:15So 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.” See also: Genesis 18:6Matthew 13:33Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.” So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 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. See also: Genesis 45:1Judges 3:19John 3:20Amnon 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. 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!” See also: Genesis 39:11-12She 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! See also: Judges 20:6Judges 19:23Leviticus 20:17As 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.” See also: Judges 19:24Genesis 19:8Genesis 20:12However, he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her. See also: 2 Samuel 12:11Deuteronomy 22:25-27Judges 20:5Then 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!” See also: Ezekiel 23:17She 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. Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Now put this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.” 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. See also: Judges 5:30Genesis 37:3Genesis 37:32Tamar 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. See also: Jeremiah 2:37Joshua 7:62 Samuel 1:2Absalom 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. See also: Romans 12:19Genesis 34:2Genesis 46:15But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. See also: Genesis 34:72 Samuel 3:28-291 Samuel 2:29Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. See also: Genesis 31:24Leviticus 19:17-181 John 3:15After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. See also: 1 Samuel 25:4Genesis 38:12-131 Samuel 25:7Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” See also: Psalms 12:2Jeremiah 41:6-7Psalms 55:21The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him. See also: Acts 16:15Luke 24:292 Samuel 14:22Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” See also: 2 Samuel 3:272 Samuel 20:92 Samuel 11:13-15But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. See also: Proverbs 26:24-26Absalom 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!” See also: Judges 19:6Judges 19:9Judges 19:22The 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. See also: 1 Kings 1:332 Samuel 18:9Leviticus 19:19While 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!” Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. See also: 2 Samuel 12:162 Samuel 1:112 Samuel 3:31Jonadab 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. See also: Genesis 27:412 Samuel 13:31 Samuel 16:9Now 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.” See also: 2 Samuel 19:19But 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. See also: 2 Samuel 13:37-38Amos 5:19Genesis 4:8-14Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.” As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voices and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly. See also: 2 Samuel 18:332 Samuel 13:152 Samuel 12:21But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. See also: 2 Samuel 3:32 Samuel 14:232 Samuel 13:34So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. See also: 2 Samuel 14:232 Samuel 15:82 Samuel 14:32King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead. See also: Genesis 24:67Genesis 38:12Genesis 37:35
See also: Cross references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), derived in part from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).
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Notes · Haydock (1859, public domain)26 notes
Notes in English 19th-century Catholic commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock, shown as published.
These notes keep the polemics of their time: some speak harshly of the Jewish people or of other Christians. The Church teaches otherwise today. The Jewish people may not be blamed for the death of Christ (Nostra Aetate 4; Catechism 597–598), and Christians of other communities are our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Unitatis Redintegratio 3). Christian unity
2 Samuel 13:1
Ver. 1. Thamar was born of Maacha, as well as Absalom.
↑ 12 Samuel 13:2
Ver. 2. Her. He had seen her on some solemn occasions, when virgins were allowed to go out, well attended. At other times they were so strictly guarded, that Amnon thought it almost impossible to gratify his passion, (C.) which made him grow pale. He afterwards feigned himself to be more sickly than he really was, v. 6. H.
↑ 22 Samuel 13:3
Ver. 3. A very wise man. That is, a crafty and subtle man: for the counsel he gave on this occasion shews that his wisdom was but carnal and worldly. Ch.
--- Jonadab seems to be styled Jonathan, C. xxi. 21. C.
↑ 32 Samuel 13:4
Ver. 4. King? to whom every indulgence must be allowed. M.
↑ 42 Samuel 13:5
Ver. 5. To me. Heb. "and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it, " &c. H. --- He pretends to be disgusted with food, (C.) unless he see his sister make it ready.
H.
↑ 52 Samuel 13:6
Ver. 6. Messes. Heb. "cakes, or cordials;" what which refresh the heart, and give an appetite.
The queen of Perdiccas, of Macedon, baked bread for her servants. Herod. viii.
137. Gen. xviii.
6.
↑ 62 Samuel 13:9
Ver. 9. Out. This conveys the idea of something liquid. C. --- It was a thin wafer, (H.) or cake, of which there were different sorts.
↑ 92 Samuel 13:10
Ver. 10. Chamber. Heb. Chadera, "bed-place," (Cant. i. 4.) where Amnon was lying. C.
↑ 102 Samuel 13:12
Ver. 12. Folly, or impiety, so directly contrary to the law. Levit. xviii. 6. and 9.
and 11. H.
↑ 122 Samuel 13:13
Ver. 13. Thee. Was she ignorant that such marriages could not be allowed? C.
--- Some think she was. Grot. M. --- Others believe that, in her present situation, she said what first came into her head, to get out of the hands of her brother. The Rabbins pretend that she was conceived before David married her mother, and that the latter was a pagan; so that they suppose there was no relationship between Thamar and Amnon. But this is all asserted without proof. C.
↑ 132 Samuel 13:15
Ver. 15. Before. Such changes are not unfrequent in those who give way to disordered passions, as Aristotle (prob. iv.) proves. Semiramis slew her lovers, and among the rest her own son. T. ---
God caused Amnon to be stung with remorse, and the evil spirit pushed him on to extremities, which filled the palace with scandal and bloodshed. M.
↑ 152 Samuel 13:16
Ver. 16. Greater, as being more public; (T.) and all would think her guilty of some horrible misdemeanor. H. --- It made the divulging of the crime in some degree necessary. M. ---
Unhappy woman! why did she not cry out, at least, before the perpetration of the act, as the law directed? Deut. xxii. 24. Salien, A. 3000.
↑ 162 Samuel 13:18
Ver. 18. Robe. Heb. passim; long and variegated, like Joseph's. Gen. xxxvii. 3.
The Sept. call it, karpotos, to insinuate that it was "adorned with fruits," &c. H.
↑ 182 Samuel 13:19
Ver. 19. Head, as if to hide her face. Ezec. xxvii. 30. Jer. ii. 37. So Mezentius:
"Canitiem immundo deformat pulvere et ambas
Ad Cœlum tendit palmas." Virgil, Æneid x. See Iliad 2. C.
--- Crying, that no one might think she had consented. M. --- She probably went directly to her brother's house, and related the affair to him; or he met her in this condition. Salien.
↑ 192 Samuel 13:20
Ver. 20. Brother. His disgrace will fall upon the whole royal family, and the king will not bring him to punishment, like another. C. --- Away. Heb. and Chal.
"desolate." M. --- Sept. "like a widow."
↑ 202 Samuel 13:21
Ver. 21. And he, &c. This is not in Heb. &c. nor in S. Jerom's version. Josephus and some copies of the Sept. read it. But the reason here alleged would not suffice to excuse David. C. ---
He might think that, as he had shewn such a bad example himself, he could not with a good grace punish others. Sanctius. --- This however was requisite, as long as he was king. Whatever faults he might have fallen into, he was not on that account to suffer crimes to remain unpunished; (H.) and it is supposed that he testified his resentment to Amnon; (Salien, &c.) though the Scripture be silent thereon. H. --- Abulensis condemns him for too great remissness. M.
↑ 212 Samuel 13:23
Ver. 23. Two. Heb. "full years." He waited so long, that he might put his murderous designs in execution with less suspicion. H. --- Sheep. It was esteemed the best husbandry, "to have fine flocks;" bene pascere: (Cato) even for the nobility. --- Ephraim, or Ephrem; (Jo. xi. 54.) probably near Bethel.
Joseph. Bel. v. 33. C. --- Nabal had made a feast on a similar occasion. 1 K. xxv.
Absalom invites his father to avoid suspicion; (M.) though he would be glad at his refusing to come, unless perhaps he would not have hesitated to order his brother to be murdered in his very presence, in order to punish both. H.
↑ 232 Samuel 13:25
Ver. 25. Blessed him, wishing him joy. Absalom kept a separate establishment, and had many children. C. xiv. 27. M.
↑ 252 Samuel 13:26
Ver. 26. Amnon. He mentions him as the eldest, and that David might suppose that they were perfectly reconciled. C. --- The unhappy father seems for a long time to have expressed a reluctance and foreboding. H.
↑ 262 Samuel 13:28
This 19th-century note uses polemical language; read it in the light of the note at the top of this panel.
Ver. 28. It is I: the blame will fall on me; I will rescue all from danger. These servants were probably infidels, of Gessur, and fled with their master. M.
↑ 282 Samuel 13:29
Ver. 29. Mule. This is the first time we find these animals used to ride on. The judges had fair asses. These mules were not the offspring of horses and asses. They bear young in Syria, (Aristot. anim. vi. 24.) and are little inferior to horses in size, though they are shaped like our mules. Ibid. c. xxxvi.
↑ 292 Samuel 13:30
Ver. 30. Left. Fame often magnifies. M. --- Crescit eundo. H.
↑ 302 Samuel 13:32
Ver. 32. Mouth. Chal. Syr. "heart." Aquila, "because Absalom was in wrath against him." He had resolved upon his destruction. C. --- Perhaps he had expressed his intention to some of the court; and this Jonadab (by whose means the crime had been committed, v. 5) had heard of it. H.
↑ 322 Samuel 13:34
Ver. 34. Mountain. Olivet. C. --- They had not kept the high road through fear of Absalom; (Abul.) who, on his part, fled out of the country, as no city of refuge was able to protect wilful murderers. H.
↑ 342 Samuel 13:37
Ver. 37. Tholomai, or Tholmai, (H. C. iii. 3.) his maternal grandfather. C.
↑ 372 Samuel 13:38
Ver. 38. Ceased. We do not read that he had pursued Absalom before. C. ---
Now he laid aside all thoughts of punishing him, as he began even to desire to see him again, when he reflected that Amnon had deserved death. H. --- Heb.
also, "he burnt with a secret desire to receive Absalom."
C. xiv. 1. Jonathan. Vatab. &c. C. --- Prot. " the soul of king David longed to go forth unto," &c.
H.
↑ 38License: Notes by Fr. George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), from the Douay-Rheims Bible with Haydock's commentary (first ed. Thomas Haydock, Manchester/Dublin, 1811–1814; New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1859); New Testament notes compiled with Fr. Benedict Rayment. Public domain. Digital text: "The Haydock Bible", Internet Archive (archive.org/details/TheHaydockBible), uploaded 2011 under the Public Domain Mark. · Credits and licenses