Study Desk

When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, sleep with me, my sister."

However, he would not listen to her; since he was stronger than she, he violated her and slept with her.

Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; indeed, the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, "Get up, go away!"

Then Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart." So Tamar remained and was isolated in her brother Absalom's house.

But Absalom did not speak with Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

And Absalom came to the king and said, "Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; may the king and his servants please go with your servant."

Then Absalom said, "If not, please have my brother Amnon go with us." But the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?"

Nevertheless Absalom urged him, so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now, when Amnon's heart is cheerful with wine, and I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have I not commanded you myself? Be courageous and be valiant."

Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn.

So Joab sent a messenger to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, "Please follow mourning rites, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for many days.

"Then your servant said, 'Please let the word of my lord the king be comforting, for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.'"

So the king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" And the woman replied, "As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. Indeed, it was your servant Joab who commanded me, and it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant.

So when Joab came to the king and told him, he summoned Absalom. Then Absalom came to the king and prostrated himself with his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Absalom.

Absalom dealt this way with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, for they did not know anything.

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.

Then a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom."

So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, "Arise and let's flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go quickly, or he will hurry and overtake us, and bring disaster on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword."

So the king left, and all his household with him; but the king left ten concubines behind to take care of the house.