2 Samuel 13:21

Amnon and Tamar · 2 Samuel 13:1–22
Read 2 Samuel 13

Translations

Modern
When King David heard all this, he was furious.
Traditional
But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
Literal
And King David heard of all these things, and he was very hot.
Latin
Cum autem audisset rex David verba hæc, contristatus est valde: et noluit contristare spiritum Amnon filii sui, quoniam diligebat eum, quia primogenitus erat ei.

Original

Hebrew
English
When King David heard all this, he was furious.

Notes

King David … was furious: David was deeply angry about what happened, but he does not seem to have punished Amnon.

Some ancient texts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek version, add an explanation. They say David did not punish Amnon because he loved him. Another possibility is that David, who had committed sexual sin himself (see 2 Samuel 11:1–12:24), felt unable to judge his son for a similar offense. A third possibility is that David saw this event as a form of God’s “eye for an eye” judgment for his own wrongdoing.

Theme notes and profiles

Absalom David Family, Community, and Sexual Sin

Events

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Absalom Amnon Baal-Hazor David Incest Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Samuel, Books of First and Second Shammah Shimeah Tamar (Person)

Topics

Rape of Tamar by Amnon; Avenged in the Death of Amnon at the Hand of Absalom, Tamar's Brother Tamar: Daughter of David