2 Samuel 13:32. This hath been determined, &c.— What unparalleled impudence and effrontery was this! to speak with such calmness and unconcern of a horrid villany, which he himself had contrived, and of which he now saw the dreadful consequences! Could there be a more miscreant minister? read more
Absalom’s murder of Amnon 13:23-39References to two years (2 Samuel 13:23) and three years (2 Samuel 13:38) bracket this literary unit. read more
The aftermath of Amnon’s murder 13:30-39The writer may have devoted so much text to straightening out the rumor that Absalom had killed all the king’s sons in order to stress God’s mercy in not cutting off all of them. At first report, David probably thought God had judged him severely, but it became clear that God had been merciful. Jonadab may have been a member of David’s cabinet (2 Samuel 13:3). Evidently he and Absalom had hatched the conspiracy against Amnon to remove the heir apparent to... read more
The Crime of Amnon, and Absalom’s VengeanceThis narrative and the history of Absalom’s rebellion is omitted in Chronicles.2. Tamar was in the women’s apartments, and, therefore, safe. She was his half-sister and Absalom’s sister: see 2 Samuel 3:2, 2 Samuel 3:3.4. Lean from day to day] i.e. getting thinner and paler every morning. 5. Make thyself sick] RV ’feign thyself sick.’13. He will not withhold me] Tamar said this as a last, desperate expedient, for such marriages were unlawful (Leviticus... read more
(32) Jonadab.—The same subtle counsellor who had led Amnon into his sin, now at once divined how the case really stood and reassured the king.By the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined.—Literally, upon Absalom’s mouth it hath been set, an expression which has given rise to much variety of interpretation. The Authorised Version expresses the sense accurately. read more
CHAPTER XVII.ABSALOM AND AMNON.2 Samuel 13:1-37.LIVING sorrow, says the proverb, is worse than a dead. The dead sorrow had been very grievous to David; what the living sorrow, of which this chapter tells us, must have been, we cannot conceive. It is his own disorderly lusts, reappearing in his sons, that are the source of this new tragedy. It is often useful for parents to ask whether they would like to see their children doing what they allow in themselves; and in many cases the answer is an... read more
3. Further Chastisement: Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom CHAPTER 13 1. Amnon’s wicked desire (2 Samuel 13:1-5 ) 2. The incest (2 Samuel 13:6-14 ) 3. His hatred (2 Samuel 13:15-18 ) 4. Amnon murdered (2 Samuel 13:19-36 ) 5. Absalom’s flight (2 Samuel 13:37-39 ) “Behold I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house.” This was Jehovah’s sentence and it is now carried out. The evil which he had nourished in his heart, the passion which he had fed now breaks out in his own family.... read more
WICKEDNESS INVADING DAVID'S FAMILY David did not have to wait long to see the sad governmental results of his sin begin to be manifest in his own family His son Ammon was so attracted by the beauty of his half sister Tamar that he became sick in entertaining thoughts of her, though he knew well that his lust was improper. When a friend of his, Jonadab, enquired about the cause of his indisposition, he confided in him about his lustful thoughts. Jonadab had no sense of moral decency, and was... read more
O, ABSALOM , MY SON , MY SON ! LUST, MURDER AND DECEIT (2 Samuel 13:0 ) In the preceding lesson judgments were foretold as coming on David, and we are entering on that part of his career when the prediction is fulfilled in earnest. The foulness of this chapter we would not dwell upon more than we can help. Tamar of course, while sister to Absalom, was half-sister to Amnon, the two young men being sons of David by different wives. “A garment of divers colours” (2 Samuel 13:18 ) might be... read more
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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