1. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of
David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the
son of David loved her.
2. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister
Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for
him to do anything to her.
3. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of
Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
4. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son,
lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said
unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
5. And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and
make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee,
say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and
give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see
it, and eat it at her hand.
6. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king
was come 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 eat at her hand.
7. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother
Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
8. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid
down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in
his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9. And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he
refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me.
And they went out every man from him.
10. And 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.
11. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold
of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12. And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for
no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this
folly.
13. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for
thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now
therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not
withhold me from thee.
14. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being
stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15. Then 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, Arise, be gone.
16. And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in
sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst
unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and
said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door
after her.
18. And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with
such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins
apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the
door after her.
19. And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of
divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her
head, and went on crying.
20. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy
brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister:
he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained
desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
21. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very
wroth.
22. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor
bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his
sister Tamar.
