2 Samuel 13:1-39

13:1-22 | These verses repeat a dozen times that Tamar and Amnon were brother and sister (literally half siblings, because they were both children of David). Thus, Amnon’s lust for Tamar was a disgraceful thing that should not have occurred among God’s chosen people (be done in Israel) (Lev. 18:9).

13:15-17 | In ancient Near Eastern culture, if a man seduced a woman, he had to marry her. If he raped her, he was especially obligated to care for her (Ex. 22:16; Deut. 22:28-29). A woman who was no longer a virgin could not be offered in marriage to another man, so to refuse to marry her was to leave her without any means of provision.

13:19 | Putting ashes on one’s head, tearing one’s robe, and covering one’s head were all expressions of her humiliation, not just her grief (1 Sam. 4:12; Jer. 2:37; Esth. 6:12).

13:21 | David was very angry at Amnon’s rape of Tamar, but his own sin immobilized him from confronting his son. Consequently, he allowed the matter to pass by. Meanwhile, Absalom plotted to avenge his sister’s rape.

13:22-23 | The phrase spoke neither good or bad could be translated “did nothing against.” Absalom hated Amnon, but he bided his time for two full years and allowed his bitterness to fester before taking revenge.

13:28 | Absalom repeated David’s crime, but in a different way and in a different setting. With the murder of Amnon, Absalom was the next in line for the throne of David.