1Now after this, so it was, that Absalom the son of David having a fair sister, whose name was Tamar, Amnon the son of David loved her.
2And Amnon was so sore vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar: for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
3But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man,
4Who said unto him, Why art thou the king’s son, so lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? Then Amnon answered him, I love Tamar my brother Absalom’s sister.
5And Jonadab said unto him, Lie down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father shall come to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and let her dress meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it of her hand.
6So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king came 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 receive meat at her hand.
7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.
8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he lay down: and she took flour, and knead it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9And she took a pan, and poured them out before him, but he would not eat. Then Amnon said, Cause ye every man to go out from me: so every man went out from him.
10Then 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.
11And when she had set them before him to eat, he took her, and said unto her, Come, lie with me, my sister.
12But she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: commit not this folly.
13And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee speak to the king, for he will not deny me unto thee.
14Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice, but being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15Then 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, Up, get thee hence.
16And she answered him, There is no cause: this evil (to put me away) is greater than the other that thou didst unto me: but he would not hear her,
17But called his servant that served him, and said, Put this woman now out from me, and lock the door after her.
18(And she had a garment of diverse colors upon her: for with such garments were the King’s daughters that were virgins, appareled) Then his servant brought her out, and locked the door after her.
19And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent the garment of diverse colors which was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went her way crying.
20And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? Now yet be still, my sister: he is thy brother: let not this thing grieve thine heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21But when King David heard all these things, he was very wroth.
22And Absalom said unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23And after the time of two years, Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim, and Absalom called all the king’s sons.
24And Absalom came to the King, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers: I pray thee, that the king with his servants would go with thy servant.
25But the King answered Absalom, Nay my son, I pray thee, let us not go all, lest we be chargeable unto thee. Yet Absalom lay sore upon him: howbeit he would not go, but thanked him.
26Then said Absalom, But, I pray thee, shall not my brother Amnon go with us? And the king answered him, Why should he go with thee?
27But Absalom was instant upon him, and he sent Amnon with him, and all the king’s children.
28Now had Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, kill him, fear not, for have not I commanded you? be bold therefore, and play the men.
29And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon, as Absalom had commanded: and all the king’s sons arose, and every man got him up upon his mule, and fled.
30And while they were in the way, tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the King’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32And Jonadab the son of Shimeah David’s brother answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the King’s sons: for Amnon only is dead, because Absalom had reported so, since he forced his sister Tamar.
33Now therefore let not my lord the King take the thing so grievously; to think that all the King’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
34Then Absalom fled: and the young man that kept the watch, lift up his eyes, and looked, and behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
35And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
36And as soon as he had left speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lift up their voices, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept exceedingly sore.
37But Absalom fled away, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud king of Geshur: and David mourned for his son every day.
38So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39And king David desired to go forth unto Absalom, because he was pacified concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.