2 Sam. 13 Ammon loveth his sister Tamar; ravisheth her; then hateth and driveth her away, 2 Sam. 13:1–19. Absalom entertaineth and revengeth her with Amnon’s death, 2 Sam. 13:20–29. David is grieved: Absalom fleeth to Geshur, 2 Sam. 13:30–39.

A fair sister; his sister by father and mother: see 2 Sam. 3:3.

He fell sick; the passion of his mind disturbed his body, as is usual. She was a virgin, and therefore diligently kept, so as he could not get private converse with her; and withal modest, and abhorring any compliance with his lustful desires, both from her inclination and interest.

Shimeah, called also Shammah, 1 Sam. 16:9.

From day to day, Heb. from morning to morning; for whereas in the day he had many diversions and refreshments, in the night he was pestered with tormenting thoughts and passions; the effects whereof appeared in his countenance in the morning.

Let my sister Tamar come; so he calls her, to prevent the suspicion of any dishonest design upon so near a relation, whom neither nature nor respect and affection would permit him to vitiate.

It is strange that so wise and sagacious a person as David did not see through so vain a pretence; but that must be ascribed partly to the instincts of nature, which generally preserve near relations from such monstrous actions; and partly to God’s providence, which blinded David’s mind, that he…

He was laid down upon his bed, or rather his couch.

Poured them out; out of the frying-pan into the dish.

Into the chamber; an inner chamber; either, 1. That wherein he lay sick upon his bed, where also Tamar made the cakes in his sight, who then carried them out into the next room, to bring them in again when he called for them. Or rather, 2.

Nay, my brother, whom nature both teacheth to abhor such thoughts, and obligeth to defend me from such a mischief with thy utmost hazard if another should attempt it. Do not force me: thou shouldst abhor it, if I were willing; but to add violence to thy filthiness is abominable.

Whither shall I cause my shame to go? how can I either endure or avoid the shame and reproach of it? As one of the fools in Israel, i.e. loathsome and contemptible to all the people, whereas now thou art in great reputation, and heir apparent of the crown.

Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; partly because, his lust being now satisfied, his mind and conscience had a true and clear prospect and deep sense of the natural turpitude and baseness of the action, and of that shame, and contempt, and loss, and mischief which was likely to follow it, and…

There is no cause, to wit, given thee by me. This evil is greater than the other: this she might truly say, because though the other was in itself a greater sin, yet this was an act of greater inhumanity and barbarous cruelty, and a greater wrong and calamity to her, (which she means by evil,)…

Of divers colours; of embroidered work. Compare Gen. 37:3.

Put ashes on her head, and rent her garment; to signify her grief for some calamity which had befallen her, and what that was concurring circumstances did easily discover. Laid her hand on her head, in token of grief and shame, as if she were unable and ashamed to show her face. See Jer. 2:37.

Been with thee, i.e. lain with thee. Behold, and imitate the modesty of Scripture expressions. He is thy brother; therefore thou must forgive and forget the injury; therefore thy disgracing of him will be a blot to us all; therefore thou wilt not get right from David against him, because he is as…

To wit, with Amnon; whom yet he did not punish, at least so severely as he should; either from the conscience of his own guilt in the like kind; or from that foolish indulgence which he oft showed to his children; or because the case was perplexed; for if he had been put to death for the fact, by…

Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad, i. e. he said nothing at all to him, to wit, about that business. It is a synecdochical expression, used in like manner, Gen. 31:24.

After two full years: this circumstance of time is noted, partly as an aggravation of Absalom’s malice, which was so inveterate and implacable; and partly as an act of Absalom’s policy, that both Amnon and David might more securely comply with his desires, as being now free from all suspicion of…

To the feast, which was usual upon those occasions. See Gen. 38:12, 1 Sam. 25:7, 1 Sam. 25:11.

He pressed him; pretending great desire of his presence there, to prevent any jealousies, which otherwise he thought would arise in the breast of a king so wise and experienced, and under the expectation of God’s dreadful judgments to be inflicted upon his family.

Let my brother Amnon go with us; for the king designed (as the following words show) to keep him at home with him, as being his eldest son, and heir of his kingdom; otherwise Absalom would never have made particular mention of him, which now he was forced to do.

It is strange that his urgent desire of Amnon’s company raised no suspicion in so wise a king; but God blinded his mind, that he might execute his judgments upon David, and bring upon Amnon the just punishment of his lewdness.

When Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; when he least suspects, and will be most unable to prevent the evil. Have not I commanded you; I who am the king’s son, and, when Amnon is gone, his heir; who therefore shall easily obtain pardon for you, and will liberally reward you?

Mules were in use amongst the Israelites. See 1 Kings 1:33. For though they might not promote such mixed kinds of procreation, Lev. 19:19, yet they might use creatures so engendered.

Which was not improbable, when the sword was once drawn among them, and one of them killed, which might provoke the rest to draw their swords, both to defend themselves, and to revenge their brother’s death, and thereby occasion the death of all.

Jonadab was a man of great craft and subtlety, and one that had exact knowledge of Amnon’s fact, and of Absalom’s temper. By the appointment, or, by the command; Heb. mouth, put for command, Num. 3:16.

Absalom fled; he who had undertaken to defend his servants flees or his own life. Behind him; behind the watchman; for it seems they did not come in the direct road, where the watchman looked for them, but (for some reason or fancy they had) fetched a compass, and came that way which he least…

Talmai, the son of Ammihud; his mother’s father, 2 Sam. 3:3; that he might have present protection and sustenance from him; and that by his mediation he might obtain his father’s pardon and favour.

To go forth unto Absalom, to wit, to visit him, or to send for him. And thus this word the soul is here understood, partly from the Hebrew verb, which being of the feminine gender, agrees not with David, but with David’s soul; and partly by comparing this with other places, where the same verb is…