2Samuel

                                   Chapter 13

  1. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of
     David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the
     son of David loved her.
  2. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister
     Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for
     him to do anything to her.
  3. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of
     Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
  4. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son,
     lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said
     unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
  5. And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and
     make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee,
     say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and
     give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see
     it, and eat it at her hand.
  6. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king
     was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee,
     let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in
     my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
  7. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother
     Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
  8. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid
     down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in
     his sight, and did bake the cakes.
  9. And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he
     refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me.
     And they went out every man from him.
 10. And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber,
     that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which
     she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her
     brother.
 11. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold
     of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
 12. And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for
     no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this
     folly.
 13. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for
     thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now
     therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not
     withhold me from thee.
 14. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being
     stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
 15. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred
     wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith
     he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
 16. And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in
     sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst
     unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
 17. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and
     said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door
     after her.
 18. And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with
     such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins
     apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the
     door after her.
 19. And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of
     divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her
     head, and went on crying.
 20. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy
     brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister:
     he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained
     desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
 21. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very
     wroth.
 22. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor
     bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his
     sister Tamar.