2 Samuel 13:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.

NIV: And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.

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

CSB: Absalom didn’t say anything to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon since he disgraced his sister Tamar.

NLT: And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.

KJV: And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

NKJV: And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Amnon, David's oldest son, lusted after his half-sister, Tamar, and took her by force. Then he tossed her out into the streets and refused to take responsibility for her. Tamar is ruined, living an invisible life in her brother Absalom's house (2 Samuel 13:1–20). David does nothing. He's angry, but he refuses to hold Amnon to account. He seems to be bad at holding anyone close to him accountable. It's also likely that he knows this is part of God's judgment against him (2 Samuel 11:10).

Absalom doesn't have either limitation. He is cold, controlled, and calculating. He tells Tamar, "Do not take this to heart" (2 Samuel 13:20). This is the equivalent of saying, "don't worry about it." The literal words are subtly different from the intended meaning: "I'll take care of it." Absalom carefully avoids any contact with Amnon, which might give away his true feelings. He hates his brother but doesn't let it show.

Two years later, Absalom will act. He convinces David to send Amnon to a celebration in the fields. As the eldest son, he could represent the king. David agrees (2 Samuel 13:23–27). Absalom's servants get Amnon drunk and kill him (2 Samuel 13:28–33). Absalom flees to his maternal grandfather, the king of Geshur (2 Samuel 13:37). Absalom acted, in part, because David refused to punish Amnon. When Absalom returns, he will rebel against David; again, David will refuse to punish his son (2 Samuel 18:5).

Second Samuel 13:20–29 depict Tamar as desolate, David as furious, and Absalom as calculating. David's oldest son, Amnon, raped his own half-sister Tamar and threw her out into the street. Tamar's full brother Absalom tries to comfort her with thoughts of familial loyalty but secretly plots his revenge. Meanwhile, David is angry but seems to make no move to punish his son. Two years later, Absalom completes his plot to ambush and murder Amnon.

In this chapter, God's curse that the sword will strike David's house (2 Samuel 12:10) begins to emerge. David's firstborn son Amnon lusts over half-sister Tamar. Tamar fights back, but Amnon first rapes her and then rejects her. David is angry but does nothing. Two years later, Tamar's full brother Absalom murders Amnon. Three years after that, Absalom returns and becomes the enemy in David's house who takes his wives in public (2 Samuel 12:11–12; 15:1–16; 16:21–23).

This begins fulfillment of some of God's curses against David (2 Samuel 12:10), and sets the scene for others (2 Samuel 12:11–12). David's oldest son, Amnon, rapes his own half-sister, Tamar. Her full brother Absalom murders Amnon, starting a five-year campaign of vengeance against David. By the end, two of David's sons will be dead, his daughter will be desolate, and David will be deeply humbled (2 Samuel 14—19).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.