2 Samuel 13:2

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she [was] a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

Ver. 2. And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick.] So did Antiochus, the son of Seleucus, king of Syria, for the love of his step-mother, Stratonice; so that he was near to death. a Mors et Amor comites sunt, et mutant et mutuant aliquando sagittas. b

“ Mutarunt arma inter se Mors atque Cupido:

Haec falcem gestat, gestat at ille facem. ”

The reason hereof is given by some, and it is this: The affections are in the grossest and basest part of the mind, which hath greatest affinity with the body; and thence it is that the vehemency of the affections worketh such bodily distempers.

For she was a virgin. ] And therefore of herself more averse from any such unchaste thoughts; and besides, she was strictly kept in, being the king's daughter especially, and for aught we find, his only daughter.

And Amnon thought it hard. ] He knew not how to compass his desire, and therefore lay broiling on the gridiron of his own unruly passions; but the devil found him out a broker.

a Appian. Syriat.

b Val Max., lib. v. cap. 7.