Study Desk

When Tamar arrived at Amnon's house, she went to the place where he was lying down so he could watch her mix some dough. Then she baked his favorite dish for him.

But when she set the serving tray before him, he refused to eat. "Everyone get out of here," Amnon told his servants. So they all left.

Then he said to Tamar, "Now bring the food into my bedroom and feed it to me here." So Tamar took his favorite dish to him.

So the servant put her out and locked the door behind her. She was wearing a long, beautiful robe, as was the custom in those days for the king's virgin daughters.

Her brother Absalom saw her and asked, "Is it true that Amnon has been with you? Well, my sister, keep quiet for now, since he's your brother. Don't you worry about it." So Tamar lived as a desolate woman in her brother Absalom's house.

But Absalom kept on pressing the king until he finally agreed to let all his sons attend, including Amnon. So Absalom prepared a feast fit for a king.

So at Absalom's signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.

So he sent for a woman from Tekoa who had a reputation for great wisdom. He said to her, "Pretend you are in mourning; wear mourning clothes and don't put on lotions. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.

So the king sent for Joab and told him, "All right, go and bring back the young man Absalom."

But the king gave this order: "Absalom may go to his own house, but he must never come into my presence." So Absalom did not see the king.

He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was so heavy. When he weighed it out, it came to five pounds!

So Absalom said to his servants, "Go and set fire to Joab's barley field, the field next to mine." So they set his field on fire, as Absalom had commanded.

So Joab told the king what Absalom had said. Then at last David summoned Absalom, who came and bowed low before the king, and the king kissed him.

Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.

"All right," the king told him. "Go and fulfill your vow." So Absalom went to Hebron.

So the king and all his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to look after the palace.

David replied, "All right, come with us." So Ittai and all his men and their families went along.

So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.

So David's friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.

Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it.