CHAPTER XIII _Amnon falls in love with his half-sister Tamar, and feigns_ _himself sick, and requests her to attend him_, 1-6. _David sends her to him, and he violates her_, 7-14. _He then hates her, and expels her from his house_, 15-17, _She rends her garments, puts ashes on her head, and goe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:2. _AMNON WAS SO VEXED - FOR SHE_ WAS _A VIRGIN_] It has been well remarked that "the passion of love is nowhere so wasting and vexatious, as where it is unlawful. A quick sense of guilt, especially where it is enormous, as in the present instance, strikes the soul with horror; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:3. _JONADAB_ WAS _A VERY SUBTLE MAN._] And most diabolic advice did he give to his cousin. We talk of the simplicity and excellence of primitive times! "Say not thou what is _the cause_ that the former days were better than these." Take them altogether, we may thank God that they a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:12. _NAY, MY BROTHER_] There is something exceedingly tender and persuasive in this speech of Tamar; but Amnon was a mere brute, and it was all lost on him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:13. _SPEAK UNTO THE KING_] So it appears that she thought that the king, her father, would give her to him as wife. This is another strong mark of indelicacy in those simple but barbarous times. There might have been some excuse for such connections under the patriarchal age, but t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:15. _HATED HER EXCEEDINGLY_] Amnon's conduct to his sister was not only brutal but inexplicable. It would be easy to form _conjectures_ concerning the _cause_, but we can arrive at no certainty.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:18. _A GARMENT OF DIVERS COLOURS_] Genesis 37:3, where the same words occur.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:21. _BUT WHEN KING DAVID HEARD_] To this verse the _Septuagint_ add the following words: Και ουκ ελυπησε το πνευμα Αμνων του υἱου αυτου, ὁτι ηγαπα αυτον, ὁτι πρωτοτοκος αυτου ην; "But he would not grieve the soul of Amnon his son, for he loved him, because he was his first-born.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:23. _ABSALOM HAD SHEEP-SHEARERS_] These were times in which feasts were made, to which the neighbours and relatives of the family were invited.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:26. _LET MY BROTHER AMNON GO_] He urged this with the more plausibility, because Amnon was the first-born, and presumptive heir to the kingdom; and he had disguised his resentment so well before, that he was not suspected.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:30. _ABSALOM HATH SLAIN ALL THE KING'S SONS_] _Fame_ never _lessens_ but always _magnifies_ a fact. _Report_, contrary to the nature of all other things, _gains strength by going_. _Virgil_ has given, in his best manner, a fine personification of _Fame_ or _Evil Report_. - AEN. iv... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:32. _AND JONADAB - SAID - AMNON ONLY IS DEAD_] This was a very bad man, and here speaks coolly of a most bloody tragedy, which himself had contrived.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:37. _ABSALOM FLED_] As he had committed wilful murder, he could not avail himself of a city of refuge, and was therefore obliged to leave the land of Israel, and take refuge with Talmai, king of Geshur, his grandfather by his mother's side. See 2 Samuel 3:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Samuel 13:39. _DAVID LONGED TO GO FORTH UNTO ABSALOM_] We find that he had a very strong paternal affection for this young man, who appears to have had little to commend him but the beauty of his person. David wished either to go to him, or to bring him back; for the hand of time had now wip... [ Continue Reading ]