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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:1-20

We have here a particular account of the abominable wickedness of Amnon in ravishing his sister, a subject not fit to be enlarged upon nor indeed to be mentioned without blushing, that ever any man should be so vile, especially that a son of David should be so. Amnon's character, we have reason to think, was bad in other things; if he had not forsaken God, he would never have been given up to these vile affections. Godly parents have often been afflicted with wicked children; grace does not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:12

And she answered him, nay, my brother ,.... Which carried in it a reason sufficient for her denial, that he was her brother, and she his sister, and therefore should not offer such an indignity to her: do not force me ; which was another forbidding expression, signifying she would never freely yield to his will; and to force her, to defile her against her will, to commit a rape upon her, would be very criminal indeed: for no such thing ought to be done in Israel ; among God's... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 13:12

Nay , my brother - There is something exceedingly tender and persuasive in this speech of Tamar; but Amnon was a mere brute, and it was all lost on him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:1-22

The firstfruits of iniquity. The facts are: 1 . Amnon entertains an improper affection for his half-sister Tamar, and meditates evil. 2 . Making known his secret passion to Jonadab, he is prompted to a device for securing a personal interview with her. 3 . The king, visiting Amnon in his pretended sickness, kindly arranges that Tamar should wait upon him with special focal in his chamber. 4 . Seizing an opportunity in the absence of attendants, he accomplishes his purpose... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:1-33

( JERUSALEM .) The crime of Amnon. The chastisements which David experienced came upon him chiefly through his family. The misconduct of his sons was largely due to his own "in the matter of Uriah," and his defective discipline (lSa 2 Samuel 3:13 ; 1 Kings 1:6 ) in connection with polygamy ( 2 Samuel 3:1-5 ). "This institution is the absolutely irrepressible source of numberless evils of this description. It ever furnishes a ready stimulus to unbounded sensual desire in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 13:12

Do not force me; literally, do not humble me. It is to be regretted that the word should be changed, as it bears testimony to the nobleness of the Hebrew women, who regarded their chastity as their crown of honour. The word folly is used in the sense of unchastity in Genesis 34:7 and elsewhere, and it is noteworthy that the Jews thus connected crime with stupidity. Vain, that is, empty persons were the criminal part of the population ( 9:4 ), and to call a man "a fool" was to attribute... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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

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

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