2 Samuel 13
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Samuel 13
NJB (MT versing) Amnon and Tamar Amnon and Tamar The Story of Absalom (13:1-20:26) Tamar Raped by Amnon Amnon and Tamar Amnon Violates His Sister Tamar 13:1-6 13:1-6 13:1-6 13:1-4a 13:1-14 13:4b 13:5-6a 13:6b 13:7-14 13:7-14 13:7-14 13:7-11 13:12-14 13:15-19 13:15-18 13:15-19 13:15 13:15-18 13:16a 13:16b-18a 13:18b-20 13:19-20 13:19 13:20-22 13:20-22 13:20 13:21-22 13:21-22 13:21-22 Absalom Murders Amnon Absalom Has Amnon Murdered Absalom's Revenge Absalom Kills Amnon and Flees 13:23 13:23-27 13:23-29 13:23-24 13:23-27a Absalom Avenges Tamar 13:24-27 13:25 13:26a 13:26b-27a 13:27b-29 13:27b-29 13:28-29 13:28-29 13:30-33 13:30-33 13:30-33 13:30-33 13:30-34a Absalom Flees to Geshur Absalom Flees from the Court 13:34-36 13:34-39 13:34-36 13:34-36 13:34b-37 13:37-39 13:37-39 13:37-39 Joab Negotiates Absalom's Return 13:38-14:25 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This chapter is a sad fulfillment of 2 Sam. 12:10-12. David's family became cursed with sexual sins. Amnon and Tamar (cf. 2 Samuel 13; the Jewish Study Bible, p. 640, says "Tamar's rape is seen as punishment for David, corresponding to his adultery"). Absalom and David's concubines (cf. 2 Sam. 15:16; 16:21-22) Solomon in his old age and his pagan wives (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:1-8) This chapter clearly illustrates the difference between love and lust. The Jewish Study Bible, p. 641, says "Absalom murders Amnon to avenge his sister's rape. The murder is a punishment not only for Amnon, but also for David for his murder of Uriah." This episode is omitted in Chronicles, as are most of the negative things related to David and his reign.
2 Samuel 13:1-6
13:1 "Absalom" He was the third oldest son of David. Amnon ‒ 2 Sam. 3:2 Chileab ‒ 2 Sam. 3:3 (called Daniel in 1 Chr. 3:2, who must have died early) Absalom ‒ 2 Sam. 3:3 Adonijah ‒ 2 Sam. 3:4 David's sin affected all of these children. ▣ "Tamar" This name (BDB 1071 II; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 308-309) means "date palm." OT women were often named after trees. The date palm's silhouette looked like a woman's form (cf. Song of Songs 7:7). Notice the dramatic swing from love (BDB 12, KB 17) in vv. 1,4,15 (twice) hate (BDB 971, KB 1338) in v. 15 (twice) 13:2 "frustrated" "distressed" NRSV, REB, LXX "tormented" "obsessed" "distraught" "much grieved" The MT has the VERB (BDB 864 I. B., KB 1058; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 854, #1), which literally means "to bind," "to tie up," or "to be restricted." Emotionally he was in a cramped place. He could not think of anything else (NJB). The text does not mention if he was married but being the first in line for the throne, probably he was. ▣ "she was a virgin" This term (BDB 143) is used to show she was of marriageable age she was strictly guarded by palace servants and was not allowed any private contact with a man, even her half-brother (Josephus, Antiq. 7.8.1) this heightens David's poor decision to order her to go to Amnon's house (v. 7; apparently all the kings sons had their own residences) 13:3 NASB, TEV, NJB, REB "very shrewd man" NKJV, NRSV "very crafty man" "very clever man" "very wise man" The ADJECTIVE "shrewd" (BDB 314, #3) denotes a wisdom or skill, but in some contexts it is a skill toward evil or trickery (i.e., 2 Sam. 14:2; Job 5:13). 13:4 "O son of the king" He was one of several sons but he was the firstborn and was, therefore, in line for the throne. He had a special standing which came with special privileges and power. 13:5-6 What a sad piece of advice! What a tragedy! Maybe Jonadab expected Amnon to marry her. 13:6 "cakes" This root (BDB 525, KB 516 II; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 519-521) is found only in this chapter. It could refer to pancakes or dumplings (AB). It was food for a sick person.
2 Samuel 13:7-14
13:9 NASB, NJB "dished" NKJV, Peshitta "placed" NRSV, JPSOA "set out" TEV, LXX "emptied out" "turned. . .out" The MT has the VERB (BDB 427, KB 428, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) which usually means " to pour" or "to empty." The Hebrew word describing the food she made is uncertain. See note at v. 6. KB suggests "to dispense food" (cf. 2 Kgs. 4:40). Remember, context, not a lexicon, determines meaning. Words have meaning only in sentences and sentences have meaning only in paragraphs. A paragraph (or strophe) is the smallest literary unit in determining word meaning/usage! 13:12-13 Tamar offers good advice, unlike Jonadab. It is interesting that "Tamar" is also the name of a woman in Genesis 38, which also involves unusual sexual elements. 13:12 "for such a thing is not done in Israel" See Leviticus 20:17. ▣ NASB, NKJV "disgraceful thing" "anything so vile" "degrading thing" "so infamously" "a vile thing" LXX, Peshitta "this folly" The MT has the FEMININE NOUN (BDB 615) from the root "act foolishly" (BDB 614, cf. v. 13; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 11-12). Here are some examples. Gen. 34:7 ‒ Shechem rapes Dinah Deut. 22:21 ‒ a husband accuses his new wife of not being a virgin Jdgs. 19:23; 20:6 ‒ used of the people of Sodom Jer. 29:23 ‒ used of false prophets and fertility worship Nabal of 1 Samuel 25 is the noun form of this root, see especially v. 25 13:13 "As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach" Tamar had no cultural options after being raped but to stay unmarried. Amnon was thinking only of himself! He saw her as an object, not a person, a sister! The UBS Handbook, p. 875, mentions the emphatic PRONOUNS "me" and "you." "What about me?" What about you?" This impetuous act would affect both of them and their family for life! ▣ "please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you" Lust looks only at the immediate gratification! It violates all logic, all people, for its own desires! The term "please" translates a PARTICIPLE of request or prayer. It is also used in vv. 6,24,26.
2 Samuel 13:15-19
13:15-17 It amazes me how "love" so quickly turns to "hate." Tamar now brings to mind Amnon's terrible deed! She is chased out of the house and the door locked. Culturally, this was even worse than the act itself (v. 16)! 13:15 This verse is very emphatic. Qal IMPERFECT with waw of hated (BDB 971, KB 1338) NOUN form of hate Qal PERFECT of hated with ADJECTIVE and ADVERB "with very great hate" 13:17 "this woman" This was a gesture of contempt. He did not even use his half-sister's name! Josephus, Antiq. 7.8.1, suggests that she asked to wait until evening to send her away so that she would not be seen but Amnon refused. 13:18 "a long-sleeved garment" "a robe of many colors" NRSV, TEV, REB "long robe with sleeves" "a magnificent dress" "an ornamented dress" "a tunic to the wrists" "embroidered garment" This same term is used of Joseph's special coat given to him by Jacob. Below is my note from Gen. 37:3: "The etymology of this Hebrew term (BDB 509 CONSTRUCT 821) is uncertain. Usually a tunic was a short-sleeved work garment which extended to the knees of men and women. It seems that this special tunic was either full-length, from the palms to the ankles (BDB 821), or multi-colored (LXX). Either way, it was obviously not a work garment. The only other reference to this tunic is in 2 Sam. 13:8, where Tamar wore the same type of garment, which is described as being appropriate for the virgin daughters of the king, therefore, implying royalty. It is possible that Joseph felt that his father knew he was to be the son of promise because Reuben had been disqualified due to his sexual impropriety with Jacob's concubine and Simeon and Levi for the slaughter of Shechem (Genesis 34, cf. Gen. 35:22). From The IVP Bible Background Commentary (p. 68): "Egyptian paintings of this period depict well-dressed Canaanites as wearing long-sleeved, embroidered garments with a fringed scarf wrapped diagonally from waist to knee." ▣ "dressed themselves in robes" "wore such apparel" "were clothed in earlier times" "usual clothing. . .in those days" "wore in days gone by" "in such garments" "clothed in their outer garments" —omitted— The MT has "in robes" but a very similar word means "from of old" (Josephus, Antiq. 7.8.1). "in robes" ‒ מעילים "from of old" ‒ מעולם The UBS Text Project, p. 234, gives #1 (MT) an "A" rating (high probability). 13:19 Tamar began to grieve. put ashes/dust on her head tore her virgin garment put her hand on her head (cf. Jer. 2:37 and possibly 14:3,4) cried loudly In 2 Sam. 13:31 David also exhibits some cultural symbols of mourning. tore his clothes lay on the ground SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES
2 Samuel 13:20-22
13:20 "Amnon" Like so many OT names (i.e., Jehonadab and Jonadab in this chapter), this one has two forms. 2 Sam. 13:1 ‒ אמנון 2 Sam. 13:20 ‒ אמינון Why is uncertain unless regional accents and pronunciations regional scribes differed copies of the book made orally (like NT) possibly a diminutive form of disrespect (i.e., "little Amnon") ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV "was desolate" "sad and lonely" "inconsolable" "forlorn and desolate" "forlorn" "stayed as a widow" "horrified" This is a Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE (BDB 1030, KB 1570) which is used of someone "appalled." NASB translates it as "desolate" in Isa. 49:8; 54:1; Lam. 1:13,16; 3:11; Ezek. 35:12, 36:4. The shame continues for Tamar! 13:21 David heard what had happened but did nothing. David was a great king but a terrible father. The LXX and Vulgate add, "but he did not grieve the spirit of Amnon his son, for he kept loving him, for he was his firstborn."
2 Samuel 13:23
13:23 "sheepshearers" This was a time of rejoicing and partying (i.e., Genesis 38). He invited all of David's sons as a ruse to kill Amnon.
2 Samuel 13:24-27
13:25 "burdensome" This is the NOUN kabod (BDB 457), which has a wide semantic field. Literally the root means "to be heavy," usually used of "honor" or "glory." Here, of too much work preparing such a large banquet. SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT) 13:27 The LXX adds a concluding sentence, "and Absalom made a feast fit for a king." The UBS Text Project, p. 235, gives this addition as "A" rating (high probability).
2 Samuel 13:28-29
13:28 Absalom gives his servants several commands. see ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE (i.e., when you see him drunk) strike ‒ BDB 645, KB 697, Hiphil IMPERATIVE do not fear ‒ BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense be courageous ‒ BDB304, KB 302, Qal IMPERATIVE be valiant ‒ the VERB "to be," BDB 224, KB 243, Qal IMPERATIVE with "valiant" (BDB 298) 13:29 "mule" Mules were the royal mount in the ANE (i.e., 2 Sam. 18:9; 1 Kgs. 1:33; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 675).
2 Samuel 13:30-33
13:30 How David got this false report is not stated. Apparently someone at the feast saw Amnon dead and imagined the worst. This servant must have left before the other princes. 13:32 This is the same brother of David, Jonadab, who had given advice to Amnon in v. 5. He knew what Absalom was planning to do, for he had planned it for two full years (v. 22). Apparently Absalom had told Jonadab his plans (i.e., v. 35), yet he had not revealed the plot to David. ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "determined" "made up his mind" "promising himself" "a scowl" "decided" The MT has the FEMININE NOUN (BDB 965), occurring only here. BDB suggests "token of unluckiness" or "scowl." However, most English translations have "determined." Absalom executed his two year old plan to kill Amnon.
2 Samuel 13:34-36
13:34 This verse is somewhat uncertain in Hebrew but obviously a watchman saw the king's sons coming quickly to the palace. The UBS Text Project has 3 pages of suggestions, pp. 235-237. There is a missing phrase in the MT which is found in the LXX. There is also confusion over the place name in v. 34. The MT and LXX have "after him," but the UBS Text Project, p. 238, gives "Horonaim" (NRSV, TEV, REB) a "C" rating (considerable doubt). "Horonaim" is the same as Beth-honor (i.e., there are two cities in Ephraim by this same name; cf. Josh. 10:10,11; 16:3,5; 18:14; 21:22; 1 Chr. 6:68; 2 Chr. 8:5; 25:13).
2 Samuel 13:37-39
13:37 Absalom fled to the northern trans-Jordan area which David controlled. David could have forced him to return but he did not. Absalom picked this place because of its connection to his mother (cf. 2 Sam. 3:3). 13:39 After three years David wanted Absalom to return to the palace. ▣ "The heart of King David" The MT has the VERB (BDB 477, KB 476, Piel IMPERFECT with waw) which means "be complete" or "at an end." However, the LXX and DSS have "and the spirit of the King," which the UBS Text Project, p. 238, gives a "B" rating (some doubt). The MT does not fit this context as well as the LXX and DSS versions. The word "spirit" and "David" are very similar. spirit ‒ רוח David ‒ דוד This may be the common "r" - "d" confusion.