And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
Parallel translations
- WEB After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
- BSB After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.
- NKJV After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
- NASB Now it was after this that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David was in love with her.
- NLT Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Absalom's beautiful sister Tamar becomes the object of her half-brother Amnon's desire. This opening sets in motion the tragic fulfillment of judgment on David's house.
Overview
The narrative now turns inward to David's family, where the sword Nathan foretold begins its work. Amnon's attraction to his half-sister Tamar introduces a story of lust, violence, and revenge that mirrors David's own sins of adultery and bloodshed. It reminds readers that sin sown in a household often bears bitter fruit in the next generation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Chr 3:9These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
- 2 Sam 3:2–3And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
- 2 Sam 14:27And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
- 2 Sam 13:15Then 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, Arise, be gone.
- 1 Chr 3:2The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
- 2 Sam 11:2And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
- Gen 29:18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
- Prov 31:30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
- Gen 29:20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
- Gen 6:2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
- Gen 39:6–7And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
- 1 Kgs 11:1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
- Gen 34:3And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
- Prov 6:25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 13:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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