ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Samuel 13

2 Sam 13:1–20:26 Nathan had warned David of “evil . . . out of your own house” (12:11) as a result of his sin with Bathsheba. Chapters 13–20 show how this prophecy comes true. Absalom kills his half brother Amnon to avenge the rape of his sister, but is eventually pardoned by David. Absalom then forms a conspiracy and declares himself king, but the rebellion is put down and Absalom is killed. In the aftermath there is an attempt by a group of Benjaminites to withdraw from Israel.

2 Sam 13:1 After a time suggests that some time has passed since the end of ch. 12.

2 Sam 13:1–2 Tamar was Absalom’s full sister and the half sister of Amnon, David’s eldest son. he made himself ill. Amnon’s “love” could better be described as lust.

2 Sam 13:3 The term crafty is normally translated “wise” or “skillful.” Here, however, it is used in a negative sense.

2 Sam 13:6–8 cakes. Perhaps something considered helpful for the sick.

2 Sam 13:12–13 such a thing is not done in Israel. Intercourse between brother and sister, even half brother and half sister, was forbidden in Lev. 18:9. he will not withhold me from you. Perhaps Tamar is saying that David would be willing to bend the rules, or perhaps she is just trying to escape.

2 Sam 13:15–17 Then Amnon hated her. Having succeeded in seducing Tamar, Amnon’s professed love for her quickly turned to hatred. this wrong . . . is greater than the other. If a man seduced an unmarried woman, he had to marry her unless her father refused (Ex. 22:16). Having harmed Tamar, Amnon had a responsibility toward her. Put this woman out. Amnon’s hatred and contempt of his sister is expressed by his final refusal to heed her wishes or even use her name.

2 Sam 13:19 Putting ashes (or dirt) on one’s head and tearing one’s clothes were expressions of grief or humiliation.

2 Sam 13:20 Following her rape by Amnon, Absalom advised Tamar to not take this to heart. But Absalom himself did take it to heart (vv. 23–29).

2 Sam 13:21 David was very angry, but he did not do anything to punish Amnon. He showed favoritism toward his eldest son (3:2; see also esv footnote), which caused many of the later problems in David’s family (see 1 Kings 1:6). Because of his sin with Bathsheba, David had lost his moral courage and wisdom.

2 Sam 13:23 As seen in 1 Samuel 25, sheepshearing was a time of feasting. Absalom invited David to the festivities, probably guessing that he would decline, in order to mask his true intentions. If he had started out by inviting Amnon, it could have seemed suspicious.

2 Sam 13:29 The king’s sons seem to have normally ridden mules. Absalom even rides one into battle (18:9).

2 Sam 13:37 Talmai was Absalom’s maternal grandfather (3:3).