Amnon and Tamar

Amnon was David's son.

Tamar was David's daughter by another wife.

Amnon loved Tamar.

He was so tormented over her that he became ill.

His friend Jonadab noticed and asked what was wrong.

Jonadab devised a plan.

He told Amnon to pretend to be sick and ask his father to send Tamar to make food for him.

Amnon did it.

David sent Tamar to Amnon's house.

She made food in his sight.

He told everyone to leave.

He asked her to come into his inner room and bring him food there.

She brought the food in.

He seized her.

She said: No, my brother, do not violate me.

Such a thing is not done in Israel.

As for you, you would be like one of the worthless men.

Please speak to the king. He will not withhold me from you.

He would not listen.

Being stronger than she was, he violated her.

Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred.

So that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.

Amnon said to her: Get up and go.

She said: No, my brother.

For this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.

But he would not listen.

He called the young man who served him and told him to put her out and bolt the door after her.

She was put out.

She put ashes on her head and tore her long robe.

She laid her hand on her head and went away crying aloud.

Her brother Absalom asked if Amnon had been with her.

He told her to be quiet. Not to take it to heart.

She lived as a desolate woman in Absalom's house.

David was very angry.

But he did not punish Amnon because he loved him.

Because he was his firstborn.

Two years later Absalom had Amnon killed.

Tamar remained desolate.

Her father loved the man who had done it.

Her brother avenged it.

She was never restored.

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