Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 13

AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister , whose name was Tamar: and Amnon the son of David loved her.

His Sister by Father and Mother: See 2 Sam. 3. 3.

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.

The Passion of his Mind disturbed his Body, as is usual.

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.

Marginal references: Heb. it was marvellous, or [illegible: 1+ letters]idden in the eyes of Amnon

3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah , Davids brother: and Jonadab was a very ‡ subtil man.

Called also Shammah, 1 Sa[illegible: 1+ letters]. 16. 9.

Marginal references: Heb. Wise.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the kings son, lean [illegible: 1+ letters] from day to day ? wilt thou not tell me ? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar my brother Absaloms sister.

Heb. from morning to morning: for, whereas in the Day he had many Diversions, and Refreshments; in the Night he was pester'd with tormenting Thoughts and Pa[illegible: 1+ letters]sions; the Effects whereof appeared in his Countenance in the Morning.

Thy sure Friend and faithful Servant, who am ready to advise and assist thee.

Marginal references: Heb. thin.; ‡ Heb. morning by morning.

5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thy felt sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand .

So he calls her, to prevent the suspition of any dishonest Design upon so near a Relation, whom neither Nature nor respect and affection would permit him to Vi[illegible: 1+ letters]iate.

Pretending, that his Stomack was so nice, that he could Fat nothing but what he saw dressed, and that by a Person whom he much affected.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnons house, and dress him meat .

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 might bring upon him the designed and threatned Judgments.

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnons house, (and he was laid down ) and she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

Upon his Bed, or rather his Couch.

Marginal references: Or, Paste.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me: and they went out every man from him.

Out of the Frying-pan into the Dish.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber ▪ that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

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. Another Chamber. Amnon lying upon his Couch in one Chamber where the Company were with him, where also she made the Cakes before him, first sendeth all out of that Room, and then riseth from his Couch, and, upon some pretence, goes into another secret Chamber, where he might have the better opportunity for his intended Wickedness.

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother , do not force me : for † no such thing ought to be done in Israel ; do not thou this folly.

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.

Thou shouldest abhor it, if I were willing; but to add Violence to thy Filthiness, is Abhominable.

Among God's People who are taught better things; who also will be infinitely Reproached for such a base Action.

Marginal references: Heb. humble me.; Lev. 18. 9.; ‡ Heb. it shall not so be done.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go ? And as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel : now therefore I pray thee, speak unto the king, for he will not withhold me from thee .

How can I either endure or avoid the shame and reproach of it?

i. e. Loathsom and contemptible to all the people, whereas now thou art in great Reputation, and Heir apparent of the Crown.

This the spake, either because she did not understand, or not remember that the Law of God prohibited such Marriages between a Brother and his half-Sister: or, because she thought her Royal Father could or would dispense with it, upon this extraordinary occasion, to save his first-born Sons life: or, that by this pretence she might free her self from her present and most urgent danger, knowing she should have opportunity enough to prevent other mischiefs.

15 ¶ Then Amnon hated her exceedingly , so that the hatred wherewith he hated her, was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her: and Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

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 consequently an utter aversion from her who had been the instrument and occasion of his sin; and principally, by the just Judgment of God both upon Amnon and David, that so the sin might be made publick, and way made for the succeeding Tragedies: for otherwise it would probably produce Love and Kindness to her, as it did in another, Gen. 34. 2, 3. especially in him, whom both Nature, and Interest, and even Lust it self, obliged to allay her grief and shame, by all possible demonstrations of kindness.

Marginal references: Heb. with great hatred greatly.

16 And she said unto him, There is no cause : this evil in sending me away, is greater than the other that thou didst unto me: but he would not hearken unto her.

To wit, given thee by me.

This she might truly say, because though the other was in it self 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) because it exposed her to publick infamy and contempt, as if she had been an impudent Strumpet, and had either enticed him to the sin, or at least consented to it; and besides, it turned a private offence into a publick scandal, to the great dishonour of God and of his people Israel, and especially of the Royal Family, and was likely to cause direful passions, and breaches, and mischiefs among them.

18 And she had a garment of divers colours up on her: for with such robes were the kings daughters that were virgins, apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

Of Embroidered work. Compare Gen. 37. 3.

19 ¶ And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head , and went on, crying .

To signify her grief for some Calamity which had befallen her, and what that was, concurring circumstances did easily discover.

In token of grief and shame, as if the were unable and ashamed to shew her face. See I[illegible: 1+ letters]r. 2. 37.

To manifest her abhorrency of the Fact, and that it was not done by her consent.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee ? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother , regard not this thing . So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absaloms house.

i. e. Lien with thee. Behold, and imitate the modesty of Scripture-expressions.

Therefore thou must forgive and forget the injury; therefore thy disgracing of him will be a blot to us all: therefore thou wiltst not get right from David against him, because he is as near and dear to him as thou: therefore thy dishonour is the less, because thou wast not abused by any mean person, but by a Kings Son: therefore this Evil must be born, because it cannot be revenged. And thus he covers his design of taking vengeance upon him at the first opportunity.

So as to torment thy self.

Neglected and forsaken by others, none now seeking her in Marriage; and through shame and dejection of mind giving her self up to solitude and retirement.

Marginal references: Heb. not thine heart.; Heb. and was desolate.

21 ¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth .

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 shewed to his Children: or, because the case was perplexed: for if he had been put to death for the Fact, by vertue of that Law, Deut. 22. 23, 24. she also, who was innocent, must have died with him, because she did not cry out: although indeed that Law did not reach the present case, Tamar not being betrothed to an Husband: and for the following Law concerning a Virgin not betrothed, that could have no place here: he could not force Amnon to Marry Tamar, because that Marriage had been incestuous.

22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad : for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

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. He neither debated it with him, nor threatned him for it; but seemed willing to cover it, and pass it by with Brotherly kindness. For if he had wholly forborn all discourse and converse with him, it would have raised great jealousies in Amnon and David, and hindred him in his intended and desired revenge.

Or rather, but, or though, as the Hebrew Particle, Chi, commonly signifies: for the following Clause is not added as a reason of the former, but by way of exception or opposition. Though he outwardly expressed no dislike of the Fact, yet he inwardly hated him.

23 ¶ And it came to pass after two full years , that Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal-Hazor, which is besides Ephraim : and Absalom invited all the kings sons.

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 suspition of revenge.

According to the manner of those ancient times, when Princes did not give themselves up to sloth and luxury, but spent their time and pains in some honest imploiment.

Either, First, The City called Ephraim, or Ephrem, Ioh. 11. 54. Or, Secondly, The Tribe of Ephraim, towards or nigh unto which this place was scituate.

Marginal references: 1 Sam [illegible: 1 word].

24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep shearers, Let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant .

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

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him : howbeit he would not go, but blessed 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 Gods dreadful judgments to be inflicted upon his Family.

Dismissed him with thanks for his kindness, and with his Fatherly blessing.

26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us . And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

For the King designed (as the following words shew) 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. Nor did this desire of Amnon's presence want specious pretences, as that seeing the King would not, he who was next to him might, honour him with his company; and that this might be a manifest and publick token of that Love and Friendship which was between him and his Brother, notwithstanding the former occasion of difference.

27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the kings sons go with him .

It is strange that his urgent desire of Amnon's company raised no suspition 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.

28 ¶ Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnons heart is merry with wine , and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you ? be couragious, and be valiant.

When he least suspects, and will be most unable to prevent the evil.

I who am the Kings Son, and, when Amnon is gone, his Heir: who therefore shall easily obtain pardon for you, and will liberally reward you.

Marginal references: Or, will ye not, since I have commanded you?; Heb. sons of [illegible: 1 word].

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded: then all the kings sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule , and fled.

Which were in use amongst the Israelites. See 1 King. 23. 33. For though they might not promote such mixed kinds of procreation, Levit. 19. 19. yet they might use Creatures so engendred.

Marginal references: Heb. rode.

30 ¶ And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the kings sons , and there is not one of them left.

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 Brothers death, and thereby occasion the death of all. And God suffered this false report to be spread for David's greater terror and humiliation, that he who had formerly rejoyced in the tiding of Uriah's death, might now be tormented with the report of the death of all his Sons.

32 And Jonadab the son of Shimeah, Davids brother , answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the kings sons: for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined, from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

A man of great craft and subtilty, and one that had exact knowledge of Amnon's fact and of Absalom's temper.

Or, by the command, Heb. mouth, put for command, Num. 3. 16.

x It was resolved from that time in his Breast: but the word of command was not then given to others; for that would probably have hindred his design. But all this he seems to have spoken from a probable conjecture, rather than of certain knowledge, as appers by the sequel.

Marginal references: Heb. mouth.; Or, [illegible: 1 word].

34 But Absalom fled . And the young man that kept the watch lift up his eyes, and looked, and behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him .

He who had undertaken to defend his Servants, flies for his own life.

Behind the watch-man: 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 come that way which he least expected them.

37 ¶ But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of ‖ Ammihud king of Geshur : and David mourned for his son every day.

His Mothers Father, 2 Sam. 2. 3. that he might have present protection and sustenance from him; and that by his mediation he might obtain his Fathers pardon and favour.

Marginal references: Or, Ammi [illegible: 1+ letters].

39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom : for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

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 used, and the Soul expressed, as Psal. 84. 3. and 119. 81. But as this supplement may seem too bold, so this version seems not so well to agree with that Phrase of going out to Absalom; for David neither desired nor intended to go out to Absalom, but that Absalom should come home to him. And these words may be, and are otherwise rendred, by the most ancient and remarkable Interpreters to this purpose, And King David made an end of going out (to wit, in an Hostile manner, as that Verb is oft used, Gen. 14. 18. 2 Sam. 11. 1.) against (for so the Hebrew Particle, El, is oft used, as Ior. 34. 7. Ezek. 13. 9, 20. Amos 7. 15.) Absalom: i e. having used some, though it is probable, but cold and remiss endeavours to pursue after Absalom, and to fetch him from his Grandfathers to receive condign punishment, he now gave over thoughts of it. Thus the same Verb, and that in the same conjugation, is used in the same manner, 1 King. 3. 1. he made an end of building. It is to be Objected, That the Hebrew Verb is of the Feminine Gender, and therefore doth not agree with King David, which is Masculine. It may be Answered, That Enallage of Genders is a most frequent Figure; and as the Masculine Gender is sometimes applied to Women when they do some manly and gallant Action, as Exod. 1. 21. So the Feminine Gender is sometimes used of Men when they shew an effeminate tenderness in their disposition; which is the case here, as some Learned Hebricians have noted.

Marginal references: 1 Sam. 24. 10.; Or, was consumed.