2 Samuel 13:11-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:12

Things that ought not to be done in Israel. The plea of Tamar, "no such thing ought to be done in Israel," is interesting, as showing that the sentiment was prevalent amongst the Israelites, morally imperfect as they were, that they were not to be as the nations around them; that practices prevalent elsewhere were altogether out of keeping with their position and calling "It may be so elsewhere; but it must not be so in Israel." A similar sentiment as to what is statable and becoming is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:13

Fools in Israel. Sad as was the case of the injured Tamar, that of her wicked brother was sadder still. She was outraged, but innocent; he was "as one of the fools in Israel." I. WICKED MEN ARE " FOOLS ." The term is often used in Holy Scripture as synonymous with "godless," "lawless," "sinful;" especially in the Book of Proverbs, where piety and holiness are designated "wisdom." The folly of sinners appears in that: 1 . Their life is opposed to right reason. To wisdom,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 13:12

Tamar’s words are a verbal quotation from Genesis 34:7. The natural inference is that Tamar knew the passage in Genesis, and wished to profit by the warning that it contained. (Compare also 2 Samuel 13:13.) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 13:13

My shame - Better, “my reproach.” Compare Genesis 30:23; Gen 34:14; 1 Samuel 11:2.Speak unto the king ... - It cannot be inferred with certainty from this that marriages were usual among half brothers and sisters in the time of David. The Levitical law forbade them (marginal reference), and Tamar may have merely wished to temporize. On the other hand, the debasing and unhumanizing institution of the harem, itself contrary to the law of Moses Deuteronomy 17:17, may well have led to other... 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:1-39

David’s family troubles begin (13:1-14:33)The first of the foretold disgraces that fell on David’s family followed the same pattern as David’s own sin: sexual immorality followed by murder, with the murderer carefully plotting how to get rid of his victim.Amnon, David’s eldest son, tried to seduce his half-sister Tamar, but when Tamar resisted him he raped her (13:1-14). Cruelly, Amnon then drove Tamar away, and the young princess cried bitterly at the loss of her virginity in such... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 13:12

force = humble. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 13:12

2 Samuel 13:12. She answered him, Nay, my brother— Amnon having mentioned his criminal passion to Tamar, she represents to him in the most lively manner the horror of his crime; that it was a violation of the laws, that it would be her destruction, and that it would dishonour him in the highest degree before all Israel: but, finding all these considerations fruitless, she changed her tone, and tried to flatter him into forbearance. He was her father's eldest son, his darling, who could deny him... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 13:12

12-14. do not force me—The remonstrances and arguments of Tamar were so affecting and so strong, that had not Amnon been violently goaded on by the lustful passion of which he had become the slave, they must have prevailed with him to desist from his infamous purpose. In bidding him, however, "speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from thee," it is probable that she urged this as her last resource, saying anything she thought would please him, in order to escape for the present out of... read more

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