Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13
A.M. 2972. B.C. 1032. Amnon ravishes Tamar, 2 Samuel 13:1-20 . Absalom kills him, 2 Samuel 13:21-29 . David mourns: Absalom flees to Geshur, 2 Samuel 13:30-39 . read more
2 Samuel 13
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:1
2 Samuel 13:1. Absalom, the son of David, had a fair sister His sister by both father and mother. For they were both born of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Now began another part of Nathan’s prophecy, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, to be awfully fulfilled On David; and the sad scene of domestic troubles to be opened which were to befall his family. And it is probable he had not been long returned to Jerusalem, from the taking of Rabbah, before... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:2
2 Samuel 13:2. Amnon fell sick for his sister Tamar He fell deeply in love with her, and being conscious that his passion was very criminal, he concealed it for some time, but at the expense of his health, being racked by the violence of a strong desire, and the terror of indulging it. Thus fleshly lusts are their own punishment, and not only war against the soul, but the body too, and are the rottenness of the bones. See what a hard master sinners serve, and how heavy a yoke sin is! ... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:3
2 Samuel 13:3. Amnon had a friend Say rather an enemy; for surely he proved himself to be such in a high degree, by the evil counsel he gave, issuing in Amnon’s utter ruin of soul, as is too probable, as well as body. “He plainly perceived that Amnon’s disease was some strong desire ungratified; and insinuated to him that he who was the king’s son might give a loose to his desires, and despise the restraint of ordinary men! How vile was this advice! and how lamentable it is that the heirs... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:5
2 Samuel 13:5. Jonadab said, Make thyself sick He advises Amnon to pretend that his stomach was so weak that he could eat nothing that his servants dressed, and therefore desired his sister, who understood how to make delicate dishes, might come and prepare something that he could relish. Ah! false, treacherous, and base flatterer! that could thus tempt thy prince to so vile a crime! More than the poison of asps is under the lips of such friends and counsellors. read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:10
2 Samuel 13:10. Amnon said, Bring the meat into the chamber It is probable that when Tamar first came, Amnon had received her in an outward room, but that, pretending now to be fatigued, he retired into his chamber, desiring her to go along with him, that he might put his design upon her in execution without being interrupted; it being an inner chamber probably, remote from any other room. read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:12
2 Samuel 13:12. Nay, my brother Whom nature both teaches to abhor such thoughts, and obliges to defend me from such an injury, with thy utmost hazard, if another should attempt it. Do not force me Thou oughtest to abhor it, if I were willing; but to add violence is abominable. No such thing ought to be done in Israel Among God’s people, who are taught better things; who also will be infinitely reproached for so base an action. Thus she represents to him that, whatever other nations did,... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:13-14
2 Samuel 13:13-14. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? How shall I drive it from me; and where shall I hide it? This plea for herself is inexpressibly beautiful and forcible. Thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel Shalt utterly lose thy reputation, and be contemptible to all the people, as a man void of all religion, honour, virtue, and even humanity; wilt be treated as a brute and a fool, and, instead of the honour of being heir apparent to the throne, wilt sink into the... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:15-17
2 Samuel 13:15-17. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly His mind, which at first had been impelled by lust, was now agitated by remorse, which drove it to a different extreme, like the vibration of a pendulum. The horror of his guilt struck him with a sudden detestation of her whom he deemed the cause of it, and he hated his sister when he should have hated himself. Thus, through God’s abandoning him, in just judgment, to the tumult of his own intemperate mind, this other punishment of David’s... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 13:39
Longed to go forth - Rather, “longed after Absalom,” literally, was consumed in going forth, with a sense of disappointed hope. read more