Old Testament

New Testament

2 Samuel 13:9-27 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

9. And taking what she had cooked, she poured it out, and she set it before him. But he refused to eat. And Amnon said, "Send everyone away from me." And when they had sent everyone away,

10. Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat from your hand." Therefore, Tamar took the little portions of food that she had made, and she brought them to her brother Amnon in the bedroom.

11. And when she had presented the food to him, he took hold of her, and he said, "Come lie with me, my sister."

12. She answered him: "Do not do so, my brother! Do not force me. For no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not choose to do this senseless act.

13. For I will not be able to bear my shame. And you will be like one of the foolish in Israel. For it is better to speak to the king, and he will not deny me to you."

14. But he was not willing to agree to her petition. Instead, prevailing by strength, he forced her, and he lay with her.

15. And Amnon held hatred for her with an exceedingly great hatred, so much so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before. And Amnon said to her, "Rise up, and go away."

16. And she answered him, "This evil is greater, which you are now doing against me in driving me away, than what you did before." But he was not willing to listen to her.

17. Instead, calling the servants who were ministering to him, he said, "Cast this woman out from me, and close the door behind her."

18. Now she was clothed with an ankle-length robe. For the virgin daughters of the king made use of this kind of garment. And so, his servant cast her out, and he closed the door behind her.

19. And she sprinkled ashes upon her head, and she tore her ankle-length robe. And placing her hands upon her head, she went forth, walking and crying out.

20. Then her brother Absalom said to her: "Has your brother Amnon lain with you? But now, sister, be quiet. For he is your brother. And you should not afflict your heart because of this matter." And so, Tamar remained, wasting away in the house of her brother Absalom.

21. And when king David had heard about these things, he was deeply grieved. But he was not willing to afflict the spirit of his son Amnon. For he loved him, since he was his firstborn.

22. Yet Absalom did not speak to Amnon, neither good nor evil. For Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

23. Then, after the time of two years, it happened that the sheep of Absalom were being shorn in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim. And Absalom invited all the sons of the king.

24. And he went to the king, and he said to him: "Behold, the sheep of your servant are being shorn. I ask that the king, with his servants, may come to his servant."

25. And the king said to Absalom: "Do not, my son, do not choose to ask that we may all come and be a burden to you." Then, after he urged him, and he had refused to go, he blessed him.

26. And Absalom said, "If you are not willing to come, I beg you, at least let my brother Amnon come with us." And the king said to him, "It is not necessary that he go with you."

27. But Absalom pressed him, and so he sent with him Amnon and all the sons of the king. And Absalom made a feast, like the feast of a king.

Read complete chapter 2 Samuel 13