And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar.
Parallel translations
- WEB Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
- KJV And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
- NKJV And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
- NASB But Absalom did not speak with Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.
- NLT And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.
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 says nothing to Amnon, good or bad, while secretly hating him for violating Tamar. His silence masks a calculated plan for revenge.
Overview
Absalom's outward neutrality conceals a deep, smoldering hatred that he will nurse for two years. His refusal to confront Amnon openly, while plotting in secret, reveals a heart given to vengeance rather than justice through proper means. The verse foreshadows the murder to come and the further unraveling of David's household.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Lev 19:17–18You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
- Gen 31:24But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
- Gen 24:50Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.
- 1 Jn 2:11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
- 1 Jn 3:15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.
- Eph 4:26“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
- Prov 27:4–6Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
- Matt 18:15If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- Prov 26:24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
- Eph 4:31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
- 1 Jn 2:9If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.
- Prov 25:9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
- Gen 31:29I have power to do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
- Prov 10:18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
- Eccl 7:9Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.
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 13:22 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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