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[1]Now 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.
[2]And 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.
[3]But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
[4]Who 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.
[5]And 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.
[6]So 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.
[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 lay down: and she took flour, and knead 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 would not eat. Then Amnon said, Cause ye every man to go out from me: so every man went out from him.
[10]Then 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 set them before him to eat, he took her, and said unto her, Come, lie with me, my sister.
[12]But she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: commit not this folly.
[13]And 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.
[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, Up, get thee hence.
[16]And 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,
[17]But 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 divers 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.
[19]And Tamar put ashes on her head and rent the garment of divers colors which was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went her way crying.
[20]And 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.
[21]But when king David heard all these things, he was very wroth.
[22]And Absalom said unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
[23]And after the time of two years, Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim, and Absalom called all the king's sons.
[24]And 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.
[25]But 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.
[26]Then 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?
[27]But Absalom was instant upon him, and he sent Amnon with him, and all the king's children.
[28]Now 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.
[29]And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon, as Absalom had commanded: and all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
[30]And 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.
[31]Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
[32]And 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.
[33]Now 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.
[34]Then 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 hillside behind him.
[35]And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
[36]And 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.
[37]But Absalom fled away, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud king of Geshur: and David mourned for his son every day.
[38]So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
[39]And king David desired to go forth unto Absalom, because he was pacified concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
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