2 Samuel 13:14
ESV
But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.
NIV
But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.
NASB
However, he would not listen to her; since he was stronger than she, he violated her and slept with her.
CSB
But he refused to listen to her, and because he was stronger than she was, he disgraced her by raping her.
NLT
But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her.
KJV
Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
NKJV
However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
What does 2 Samuel 13:14 mean?
Amnon has wanted Tamar for a long time. He doesn't care that he is her half-brother, so his desire is incestuous. He doesn't care that she doesn't want to have sex with him. He doesn't care that she would be shamed forever, forced to a hidden life with no husband or family. He doesn't care that he would become infamous for wickedness. He's not even interested in looking for a legal way to get what he wanted (2 Samuel 13:12–13). He wants her, so he takes her.Human sin leads to irrational attitudes. Often, we want something illicit, but once we have it, it becomes repulsive. The wanting and the getting excite us, but "having" the thing and being held accountable we want to avoid. Amnon rapes Tamar and promptly kicks her out (2 Samuel 13:15–17). He seems to look at her with exactly the shame she predicted (2 Samuel 13:12 – 13) despite being the one who defiled her.
For all the consequences Tamar warned of, Amnon will have a much bigger problem. She goes to her full brother, Absalom. Their father, David, is angry but does nothing noteworthy. Absalom will wait with vengeance on his mind. His sister's honor is his own honor. Just as Amnon got close to Tamar by using their father (2 Samuel 13:6–14), Absalom will have David send Amnon for a celebration, then kill him (2 Samuel 13:23–29).
Neither Amnon nor Absalom know that they complete their plans only because God has removed His protection over David. In punishment for sinning against Uriah and Bathsheba, God told David the sword will never leave his house, that evil will rise from David's house and take his wives in public (2 Samuel 12:10–12). This is the first stroke of the sword. The others will fall when Absalom rebels against David, drives him out of Jerusalem, and takes David's concubines on the roof (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
