1. David had a beautiful daughter named Tamar, who was the sister of Absalom. She was also the half-sister of Amnon, who fell in love with her.
2. But Tamar was a virgin, and Amnon could not think of a way to be alone with her. He was so upset about it that he made himself sick.
3. Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, who was the son of David's brother Shimeah. Jonadab always knew how to get what he wanted,
4. and he said to Amnon, “What's the matter? You're the king's son! You shouldn't have to go around feeling sorry for yourself every morning.”Amnon said, “I'm in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.”
5. Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, ask him to send Tamar, so you can watch her cook something for you. Then she can serve you the food.”
6. So Amnon went to bed and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said, “Please, ask Tamar to come over. She can make some special bread while I watch, and then she can serve me the bread.”
7. David told Tamar, “Go over to Amnon's house and prepare him some food.”
8. When she got there, he was lying in bed. She mixed the dough, made the loaves, and baked them while he watched.
9. Then she took the bread out of the pan and put it on his plate, but he refused to eat it.Amnon said, “Send the servants out of the house.” After they had gone,
10. he said to Tamar, “Serve the food in my bedroom.”Tamar picked up the bread that she had made and brought it into Amnon's bedroom.