2 Samuel 13
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2 Samuel 13 is the thirteenth
chapter Chapter or Chapters may refer to: Books * Chapter (books), a main division of a piece of writing or document * Chapter book, a story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7–10 * Chapters (bookstore), Canadian big box bookstore ...
of the Second Book of Samuel in the
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of the
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or the second part of
Books of Samuel The Book of Samuel () is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books (1–2 Samuel) in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books (Book of Joshua, Joshua, Book of Judges, Judges, Samuel, and Books of ...
in the
Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible or Tanakh (;"Tanach"
. '' Samuel Samuel is a figure who, in the narratives of the Hebrew Bible, plays a key role in the transition from the biblical judges to the United Kingdom of Israel under Saul, and again in the monarchy's transition from Saul to David. He is venera ...
, with additions by the prophets Gad and
Nathan Nathan or Natan may refer to: People and biblical figures *Nathan (given name), including a list of people and characters with this name * Nathan (surname) *Nathan (prophet), a person in the Hebrew Bible *Nathan (son of David), a biblical figu ...
, but modern scholars view it as a composition of a number of independent texts of various ages from c. 630–540 BCE. This chapter contains the account of
David David (; , "beloved one") was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic-inscribed stone erected by a king of Aram-Dam ...
's reign in Jerusalem. This is within a section comprising 2 Samuel 9–20 and continued to
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2 which deal with the power struggles among David's sons to succeed David's throne until 'the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon' (1 Kings 2:46).


Text

This chapter was originally written in the
Hebrew language Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and remained in regular use as a first language unti ...
. It is divided into 39 verses.


Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in
Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...
are of the
Masoretic Text The Masoretic Text (MT or 𝕸; ) is the authoritative Hebrew and Aramaic text of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (''Tanakh'') in Rabbinic Judaism. The Masoretic Text defines the Jewish canon and its precise letter-text, with its vocaliz ...
tradition, which includes the
Codex Cairensis The Codex Cairensis (also: ''Codex Prophetarum Cairensis'', ''Cairo Codex of the Prophets'') is a Hebrew manuscript containing the complete text of the Hebrew Bible's Nevi'im (Prophets). It has traditionally been described as "the oldest dated He ...
(895),
Aleppo Codex The Aleppo Codex () is a medieval bound manuscript of the Hebrew Bible. The codex was written in the city of Tiberias in the tenth century CE (circa 920) under the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate, and was endorsed for its accuracy by Maimonides. ...
(10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008). Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the
Dead Sea Scrolls The Dead Sea Scrolls, also called the Qumran Caves Scrolls, are a set of List of Hebrew Bible manuscripts, ancient Jewish manuscripts from the Second Temple period (516 BCE – 70 CE). They were discovered over a period of ten years, between ...
including 4Q51 (4QSam; 100–50 BCE) with extant verses 1–6, 13–34, 36–39.Dead sea scrolls - 2 Samuel
/ref> Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation into
Koine Greek Koine Greek (, ), also variously known as Hellenistic Greek, common Attic, the Alexandrian dialect, Biblical Greek, Septuagint Greek or New Testament Greek, was the koiné language, common supra-regional form of Greek language, Greek spoken and ...
known as the
Septuagint The Septuagint ( ), sometimes referred to as the Greek Old Testament or The Translation of the Seventy (), and abbreviated as LXX, is the earliest extant Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible from the original Biblical Hebrew. The full Greek ...
(originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) include
Codex Vaticanus The Codex Vaticanus ( The Vatican, Bibl. Vat., Vat. gr. 1209), is a manuscript of the Greek Bible, containing the majority of the Old Testament and the majority of the New Testament. It is designated by siglum B or 03 in the Gregory-Aland numb ...
(B; \mathfrakB; 4th century) and
Codex Alexandrinus The Codex Alexandrinus (London, British Library, Royal MS 1. D. V-VIII) is a manuscript of the Greek Bible,The Greek Bible in this context refers to the Bible used by Greek-speaking Christians who lived in Egypt and elsewhere during the early ...
(A; \mathfrakA; 5th century).


Analysis

This chapter can be divided into two sections: # The rape of Tamar by
Amnon Amnon ( ''’Amnōn'', "faithful") was, in the Hebrew Bible, the oldest son of King David and his second wife, Ahinoam of Jezreel. He was born in Hebron during his father's reign in Judah. He was the heir apparent to the throne of Israel until ...
(13:1–22) # The murder of Amnon by
Absalom Absalom ( , ), according to the Hebrew Bible, was an Israelite prince. Born to David and Maacah, who was from Geshur, he was the only full sibling of Tamar. He is described in the Hebrew Bible as being exceptionally beautiful, as is his siste ...
(13:23–39) The two sections parallel each other: # A plan was hatched # King
David David (; , "beloved one") was a king of ancient Israel and Judah and the third king of the United Monarchy, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament. The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic-inscribed stone erected by a king of Aram-Dam ...
was consulted # Violence erupted Both sections opened with the same phrase construction ''hyh + l + Absalom'' to report that Absalom "had" a sister (13:1) and Absalom "had" sheep shearers (13:23). The victims in both sections unwittingly entered the domains of their attackers, made available to their assailants by King David, with the violence happening around food. The difference is the lengthy description for Tamar's care to her predator before the rape in contrast to very little attention to Amnon before the murder, perhaps to show that Amnon was not an innocent victim. David played a key role in both episodes, in the first by providing Amnon access to Tamar and in the second by allowing Amnon and Absalom to get together, but crucially, David failed to exact justice for Tamar, and this incited Absalom, Tamar's brother, to take a role of "judge" to punish Amnon by killing him and later he openly took that role (2 Samuel 15) to bolster support for his rebellion against David. These episodes involving Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom have direct bearing on David's succession issue.


Amnon raped Tamar (13:1–22)

The crown-prince of Israel,
Amnon Amnon ( ''’Amnōn'', "faithful") was, in the Hebrew Bible, the oldest son of King David and his second wife, Ahinoam of Jezreel. He was born in Hebron during his father's reign in Judah. He was the heir apparent to the throne of Israel until ...
, son of David and Ahinoam, was deeply attracted to Tamar, full sister of Absalom, both children of David and Maacah. Apparently virgins were under close guard, so Amnon did not have direct access to Tamar (verse 3), so he had to use trickery suggested by his cousin
Jonadab Jonadab is a figure in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Books of Samuel, 2 Samuel 13. He is described in verse 3 as the son of Shimeah, who was the brother of David, making Jonadab a cousin to Amnon as well as his friend. He is called "very wise" ( ...
(verses 3–5) to get Tamar come to take care of him (under the pretense of being sick) with David's permission. When left alone with Tamar, Amnon raped his sister, ignoring Tamar's plea for having a proper way of marriage, because Amnon was driven not by love but by lust. Although marriage between blood siblings was recorded in the early part of Hebrew Bible, cf. Genesis 20:12, it was later prohibited by Torah, cf. Leviticus 18:9, 11; 20:17; Deuteronomy 27:22. However, the rabbis point out that Tamar was born from David's union with a
beautiful captive woman Beautiful captive woman () is a term used in the Hebrew Bible for a female prisoner of war. affirms the right of an Israelite soldier to have sexual intercourse with and to marry such a prisoner providing he follows the prescribed regulations. ...
, and that her mother conceived of her during the first act, in which case, the mother had not yet converted to Judaism and the child born of this union had also not yet entered the Jewish community. Tamar required a
conversion Conversion or convert may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''The Convert'', a 2023 film produced by Jump Film & Television and Brouhaha Entertainment * "Conversion" (''Doctor Who'' audio), an episode of the audio drama ''Cyberman'' * ...
to the Jewish religion, and although Amnon and Tamar had the same biological father, they were not considered ''bona-fide'' siblings and could actually marry each other, as she was a
proselyte The biblical term "proselyte" is an anglicization of , as used in the Septuagint for "stranger", i.e. a "newcomer to Israel"; a "sojourner in the land", and in the Novum Testamentum Graece for a first-century convert to Judaism. It is a transla ...
to the Jewish religion. For this reason, Tamar insisted that their father would not withhold her from him (2 Samuel 13:13). Whether this was known to Amnon or not, after the rape, Amnon felt an intense loathing of Tamar, and Tamar's expectation that Amnon would marry her (verse 16, cf. Exodus 22:16; Deuteronomy 22:28), she was expelled from his sight with contempt (verses 15,17–18). Tamar immediately went into mourning, by tearing the long gown she was wearing as a virgin princess, as a sign of grief rather than lost virginity, as well as putting ashes on the head and placing a hand on the head (cf. Jeremiah 2:37). Verse 21 notes that David was very angry when he heard, but he did not take any action against Amnon; the Greek text of Septuagint and 4QSam have a reading not found in the Masoretic Text as follows: 'but he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn' (NRSV; note in ESV). Absalom would have resented David's leniency, but he restrained himself (verse 22) for two years (verse 23), while made a good plan for revenge. This section has a structure that meticulously places the rape at the center: :A. The characters and their relationships (13:1–3) ::B. Planning the rape (13:4–7) ::::B1. Jonadab's advice to Amnon (13:4–5) ::::B2. David provides Amnon access to Tamar (13:6–7) :::C. Tamar's actions (13:8–9) ::::D. Tamar comes into the inner room (13:10) :::::E. The dialogue before the rape (13:11) ::::::E1. Amnon orders Tamar (13:12–13) ::::::E2. Tamar protests (13:11–14a) ::::::E3. Amnon will not listen to Tamar (13:14a) ::::::F. The rape (13:14b) :::::E'. The dialogue after the rape (13:15–16) ::::::E1'. Amnon orders Tamar (13:15) ::::::E2'. Tamar protests (13:16ab) ::::::E3'. Amnon will not listen to Tamar (13:16c) ::::D'. Tamar is thrown out of the room (13:17–18) :::C'. Tamar's actions (13:19) ::B'. The aftermath of the rape (13:20–21) ::::B1'. Absalom's advice to Tamar (13:20) ::::B2'. David's reaction (13:31) :A.' New relationships among the characters (13:22) The episode began with a description of the relationships among the characters (A), which is permanently ruptured at the end (A'). David's actions (B/B') and Tamar actions (C/C') bracket the center action which is framed by the entrance/exit of Tamar from the room (D/D') and the verbal confrontations between Amnon and Tamar (E/E').


Verse 3

:''But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man.'' *"
Jonadab Jonadab is a figure in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Books of Samuel, 2 Samuel 13. He is described in verse 3 as the son of Shimeah, who was the brother of David, making Jonadab a cousin to Amnon as well as his friend. He is called "very wise" ( ...
": according to the Masoretic Text and Septuagint. The Dead Sea Scroll fragment 4QSam wrote the name "Jonathan" (both appearances in this verse).


Absalom's revenge on Amnon (13:23–39)

The revenge of Absalom toward Amnon was timed to coincide with sheep-shearing festivities at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, which was probably a few miles from Jerusalem, as it was perfectly reasonable for Absalom to invite the king and his servants to the celebrations. David was said to have a slight suspicion of Absalom's personal invitation (verse 24), so he did not go, but was persuaded by Absalom for his permission to allow Amnon to go (verses 25, 27). Apparently David did not realize the extent of Absalom's hatred until he was briefed by Jonadab (cf. verse 32). According to the Septuagint and 4QSam, 'Absalom made a feast like a king's feast' (NRSV). The murderers were only identified as Absalom's servants (verse 29) and it is obvious that Absalom gave the order to kill and encouraged them. An initial report that all the king's sons had been killed had to be corrected by Jonadab, asserting that it was only Amnon who had died and providing David the information of the reason for Absalom's action (verse 32), then the king's sons indeed returned along the 'Horonaim road' (the Septuagint Greek version reads 'the road behind him'). During the period of court mourning for Amnon (verses 36–37), Absalom took refuge with
Talmai Talmai (, ; 'my furrows') is a name in the Bible referring to a number of minor people. Its Aramaic version was associated with the Greek Ptolemy (see that article for the list of corresponding names and surnames), and is the origin of Bartholom ...
, king of
Geshur Geshur () was a territory in the ancient Levant mentioned in the early books of the Hebrew Bible and possibly in several other ancient sources, located in the region of the modern-day Golan Heights. Some scholars suggest it was established as a ...
, his grandfather on his mother's side, and stayed there in exile for three years (verses 37–38). Fast forward to the end of three years, the narrative records a change in David's 'change of heart' (following the LXX and 4QSam), attributed to his affection for all his sons and perhaps also the realization that Absalom was second in line for succession, thus preparing the way for Absalom's return which is reported in chapter 14. Absalom's temporary exclusion from court was followed by brief reconciliation with David, but Absalom soon set a rebellion (chapters 15–19) which ultimately caused his death, a chain of events which is attributed to the clash of personalities shown in this chapter and chapter 14 between the vindictive (14:33) and determined (14:28–32) Absalom in contrast to the compliant (13:7), indecisive (14:1), and lenient (13:21) David. The structure in this section centers to the scene of Jonadab informing David that Absalom murdered Amnon for the rape of Tamar: :A. Absalom and David (13:23–27) ::B. Absalom acts (13:28–29a) :::C. Flight of the king's sons and a first report to David (13:29b–31) ::::D. Jonadab's report: only Amnon among the king's sons was dead (13:32a) :::::E. Jonadab informs David of Absalom's motives: because Amnon raped Tamar (13:32b) ::::D'. Jonadab's report: only Amnon among the king's sons was dead (13:33) :::C'. Flight of Absalom and a second report to David (13:34–36) ::B'. Absalom acts (13:37–38) :A'. Absalom and David (13:39) Tamar tried to prevent Amnon from raping her by warning that the action would lead to him being considered a ''nabal'', a Hebrew word for "scoundrel" (2 Samuel 13:13). This epithet connects the story of Amnon's murder to the death of Nabal, the first husband of Abigail, ( 1 Samuel 25) as follows: # Both episodes took place during sheep-shearing season (1 Samuel 25:2; 2 Samuel 13:24) # Nabal and Absalom held celebrations fit for a king (1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:27) # Nabal and Amnon had hearts merry with wine (''leb tob'') before their death (1 Samuel 25:36; 2 Samuel 13:28) # Both Nabal and Amnon (labeled as ''nabal'') died


Verse 37

:''But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.''
KJV The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version (AV), is an Early Modern English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, by ...
*"Absalom fled": this phrase was repeated three times in verses 34, 37 and 38, to emphasize that David had then lost three sons: the firstborn of his and Bathseba, Amnon and also Absalom (rebelling and eventually died in that rebellion), whereas the third time of the use (verse 38) is to indicate David's change of heart as his animus to Absalom subsided as he was more at ease with the death of Amnon.


See also

*Related Bible parts: 2 Samuel 14


Notes


References


Sources


Commentaries on Samuel

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General

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External links

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Samuel II - II Samuel - Chapter 13 (Judaica Press)
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2 Samuel chapter 13 Bible Gateway
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuel 2 13 Second Book of Samuel chapters">13