2 samuel 13:2 - Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
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What does "2 samuel 13:2" mean?
This verse sets the stage for the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar": Amnon, one of David's sons, was consumed by a strong, obsessive desire for his half-sister, Tamar. The word "troubled" doesn't just mean he was a little bothered; it implies a deep, unsettling anguish and torment. His desire was so intense that it manifested physically, making him ill.
"for she was a virgin": This highlights Tamar's innocence and vulnerability in the cultural context of the time. Virginity was highly valued, especially for unmarried women. Taking her virginity would be a grave violation.
"and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her": This is the most complex part. The Hebrew here is somewhat ambiguous. It's not saying he found it morally difficult, but rather practically. Several interpretations exist:
He found it difficult to figure out how to seduce her: He didn't know how to approach or manipulate her to achieve his goal because she was closely guarded as a virgin member of the royal family. He was frustrated by the practical obstacles preventing him from acting on his desires.
He felt a conflict because he knew it was wrong, but he couldn't control his desires: This interpretation suggests a struggle within Amnon. He knew what he wanted was forbidden and harmful, but his lust was overwhelming his better judgment.
He was worried about the consequences: Perhaps he feared the repercussions from his father, David, or from society.
In short, the verse paints a picture of a man driven to the point of illness by his obsession with his half-sister. He understands that she is a virgin and that violating her would be wrong, but he struggles with either how to overcome that obstacle or the internal conflict that his lust has caused. The verse doesn't excuse Amnon's actions. It sets up the narrative tension by showing the psychological and practical barriers that Amnon eventually overcomes to commit his terrible deed.
2 samuel 13:2 - Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
What does "2 samuel 13:2" mean?
This verse sets the stage for the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar": Amnon, one of David's sons, was consumed by a strong, obsessive desire for his half-sister, Tamar. The word "troubled" doesn't just mean he was a little bothered; it implies a deep, unsettling anguish and torment. His desire was so intense that it manifested physically, making him ill.
"for she was a virgin": This highlights Tamar's innocence and vulnerability in the cultural context of the time. Virginity was highly valued, especially for unmarried women. Taking her virginity would be a grave violation.
"and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her": This is the most complex part. The Hebrew here is somewhat ambiguous. It's not saying he found it morally difficult, but rather practically. Several interpretations exist:
He found it difficult to figure out how to seduce her: He didn't know how to approach or manipulate her to achieve his goal because she was closely guarded as a virgin member of the royal family. He was frustrated by the practical obstacles preventing him from acting on his desires.
He felt a conflict because he knew it was wrong, but he couldn't control his desires: This interpretation suggests a struggle within Amnon. He knew what he wanted was forbidden and harmful, but his lust was overwhelming his better judgment.
He was worried about the consequences: Perhaps he feared the repercussions from his father, David, or from society.
In short, the verse paints a picture of a man driven to the point of illness by his obsession with his half-sister. He understands that she is a virgin and that violating her would be wrong, but he struggles with either how to overcome that obstacle or the internal conflict that his lust has caused. The verse doesn't excuse Amnon's actions. It sets up the narrative tension by showing the psychological and practical barriers that Amnon eventually overcomes to commit his terrible deed.