2 Samuel 13:19. Tamar put ashes upon her head To signify her grief for some calamity which had befallen her, and what that was, concurring circumstances easily discovered. And laid her hand on her head In token of shame and sorrow, as if she were unable to show her face. And went on crying To manifest her abhorrence of the fact, and that it was not done by her consent. read more
2 Samuel 13:20. And Absalom her brother said to her To whose house she had passed on, in the condition just mentioned, with ashes on her head, &c., oppressed with sorrow, and overwhelmed with shame. Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? A modest expression for the foul rape he had committed. Thus Absalom covers the gross injury which he suspected she had received, under the veil of the most decent and distant phrase that could hint his suspicion to her. And to save her blushes, and... read more
2 Samuel 13:21. When David heard, he was very wroth With Amnon: whom yet he did not punish, at least so severely as he ought to have done; perhaps, because he was his eldest son, and the next heir to his crown, and therefore he was unwilling either to cut him off, or to expose him to contempt among the people he might hereafter be called to govern; or, because he could not punish him in any legal or equitable manner, without laying open the infamy of his house; or, which seems to have been... read more
2 Samuel 13:22. Absalom spake, &c. Though he hated Amnon in his heart, yet he never expressed the least resentment, nor said any thing to him at all about that business. He neither debated it with him, nor threatened him for it, but seemed willing to pass it by with brotherly kindness. Not that he forbore all discourse with him on any subject, which would have raised jealousy in his mind, and also in David’s. But by the method Absalom pursued, Amnon was lulled asleep, in a belief that... read more
2 Samuel 13:23-25. After two full years This circumstance of time is noted, as an aggravation of Absalom’s malice, which was so implacable; and as an act of policy, that both Amnon and David might more securely comply with his desires. Let the king and his servants go He certainly did not wish the king to go; but invited him, to avoid all suspicion. He would not go, but blessed him Gave him thanks for his invitation, and prayed God to bless him. read more
2 Samuel 13:26. Let my brother Amnon go with us That is, with him and the rest of his brethren, as appears from the following verse. David designed, it seems, to keep him at home with him, as being his eldest son, and heir of his kingdom; otherwise Absalom would never have made particular mention of him, which, in consequence of what the king said, he was now forced to do. Nor did Absalom’s desire of Amnon’s company want specious pretences, as that, seeing the king would not, he who was... read more
2 Samuel 13:27. He let Amnon and all the king’s sons go It is strange that Absalom’s urgent desire of Amnon’s company raised no suspicion in the mind of so wise a king: but God suffered him to be blinded that he might execute his judgments upon David, and bring upon Amnon the just punishment of his lewdness. read more
2 Samuel 13:28-29. When Amnon’s heart is merry When he least suspects, and will be most unable to prevent the evil. Have not I commanded you? I who am the king’s son, and, when Amnon is dead, next heir to the crown, and who therefore can easily stand between you and the danger of your being called to an account for what you do, or can obtain pardon for you, and not only so, but have it in my power to reward you. The servants did as Absalom had commanded And Amnon fell. Thus did Absalom... read more
2 Samuel 13:31-32. Then the king arose He was thrown by this news, as we may well imagine, into the utmost consternation, and almost driven even to despair. He tore his clothes, and laid himself down upon the earth, like a person frantic with grief, and abandoned to distress; and his servants stood disconsolate around him with their garments torn also. And Jonadab answered, &c. Recollecting himself in his subtlety, and running over the train of his own thoughts, he easily concluded... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 13:18
2 Samuel 13:18. She had a garment of divers colours Of embroidered work. His servant brought her out, &c. A high contempt of a king’s daughter. But the servant’s dependance on his master overruled all respect due to her. “Tamar thus treated,” says Delaney, “not parted with as an innocent woman, cruelly injured, but thrust out as a prostitute that had seduced to sin, is the strongest image of innocence, barbarously abused, and insufferably insulted, that history affords us; the... read more