2 samuel 13:4 - He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 13:4

What does "2 samuel 13:4" mean?


This verse from 2 Samuel 13:4 sets the stage for the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"He said to him, 'Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?'" This refers to Jonadab, a cousin of Amnon and described as being very shrewd. He notices that Amnon, the son of King David, is visibly depressed and asks the reason for his constant sadness. The phrase "son of the king" highlights Amnon's high social standing and the potential consequences of his unhappiness.

"Amnon said to him, 'I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.'" This is the crux of the verse. Amnon confesses that he is consumed by his lustful desire for Tamar. The phrase "my brother Absalom's sister" is significant because it emphasizes the inappropriateness and complications of Amnon's desire. Tamar is his half-sister (sharing the same father, King David), which makes any romantic involvement incestuous and forbidden. It also introduces Absalom, who will later play a key role in the story as he seeks revenge for his sister.

In essence, this verse reveals Amnon's obsessive and forbidden desire for his half-sister, Tamar. It is a moment of vulnerability where he confides in Jonadab, who, instead of dissuading Amnon from his immoral thoughts, will later provide him with a deceitful plan to fulfill his lust. This verse is important because it sets in motion a series of events that will lead to tragedy, violence, and deep divisions within King David's family.

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