And afterwards Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And Amnon, David’s son, loved her.

And it so distressed Amnon that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it was concealed in the sight of Amnon what to do.

But Amnon had a close friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very wise man.

And he said, “Why are you so miserable morning after morning, O son of the king? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom – I love her.”

And Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your couch, and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the meal in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.’”

So Amnon lay down, and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Let my sister Tamar come now and mix two dumplings in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go to your brother Amnon, and prepare a meal for him.”

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, where he was lying down. And she took dough, and kneaded it, and mixed it in his sight, and cooked the dumplings.

And she took the pan and poured it out before him, but he would not eat. And Amnon said, “Send out every one from me.” So every one went out from him.

Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring me the meal into the sleeping room, that I may eat the meal from your hand.” And Tamar took the dumplings she had made, and brought them to her brother Amnon, into the sleeping quarters.

But when she brought them near him, he would not eat. He took hold of her, and said to her, “Come, sleep with me, my sister.”

But she said to him, “Please, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel. Do not conduct yourself shamefully.

As for me, where could I carry my shame? As for you, you would be as one of the fools in Israel. And now, speak now with the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

And he would not accept from her, and since he was stronger than her, he violated her and slept with her.

Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred, for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise and go.”

And she said to him, “As for the matter of this very evil deed, more than what you did to me – [how dare] you say to send me away?” But he would not accept from her.

He called his young man who served him, and said, “Send this one outside, out of my presence, and bolt the door after her.”

And she was wearing a tunic down to the soles, because thus the virgin daughters of the king used to wear sleeved tunics. So his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

And Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore the tunic which she wore; and she laid her hand on her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went.

And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? And now, my sister, be quiet. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar dwelt silently in Absalom’s house.

When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.

And at the end of two years Absalom had sheepshearers in the Valley of Hazor, which is near the House of Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

And Absalom came to the king, and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers; let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He seized him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing.

Then Absalom said, “If not, let my brother Amnon now go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”

But Absalom seized him, so he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons with him.

Then Absalom commanded his young men, “Mark when Amnon’s heart is pleasant with wine. And when I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,’ then you shall kill him. Fear not, for I commanded you. Be strong and be heroic men.”

So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each mounted his mule, and they retreated.

And while they were on the way, the tidings came to David, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”

Then the king arose, and tore his clothes, and lay on the ground, while all his servants were standing by with their clothes torn.

But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “Let not my lord say that they have killed all the young men, for Amnon alone is dead, because this was lying hidden in the heart of Absalom from the day he violated his sister Tamar.

And now, let not my lord the king take the matter to heart as to say that all the king’s sons are killed, for Amnon alone is dead.”

And Absalom fled. When the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, behold, many people were coming from the road behind him, by the side of the mountain.

And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come. As your servant said, so it has come about.”

And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept; and the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly.

But Absalom had fled. He went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son all the days.

So Absalom had fled, and was gone to Geshur. He was there three years.

And the soul of David the king longed to go forth against Absalom, for he was comforted about the fact that Amnon was dead.