mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.xiv" n="xiv" next="iiSam.xv" prev="iiSam.xiii" progress="44.55%" title="Chapter XIII">
<h2 id="iiSam.xiv-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.xiv-p1">The righteous God had lately told David, by Nathan
the prophet, that, to chastise him for his son in the matter of
Uriah, he would "raise up evil against him out of his own house,"
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.12.11" parsed="|2Sam|12|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 12:11"><i>ch.</i> xii. 11</scripRef>). And
here, in the very next chapter, we find the evil beginning to rise;
henceforward he was followed with one trouble after another, which
made the latter part of his reign less glorious and pleasant than
the former part. Thus God chastened him with the rod of men, yet
assured him that his "loving-kindness he would not utterly take
away." Adultery and murder were David's sins, and those sins among
his children (Amnon defiling his sister Tamar, and Absalom
murdering his brother Amnon) were the beginnings of his punishment,
and the more grievous because he had reason to fear that his bad
example might help to bring them to these wickednesses. In this
chapter we have, I. Amnon ravishing Tamar, assisted in his plot to
do it by Jonadab his kinsman, and villainously executing it,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.1-2Sam.13.20" parsed="|2Sam|13|1|13|20" passage="2Sa 13:1-20">ver. 1-20</scripRef>. II. Absalom
murdering Amnon for it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.21-2Sam.13.39" parsed="|2Sam|13|21|13|39" passage="2Sa 13:21-39">ver.
21-39</scripRef>. Both were great griefs to David, and the more
because he was unwittingly made accessory to both, by sending Tamar
to Amnon and Amnon to Absalom.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xiv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13" parsed="|2Sam|13|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xiv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.1-2Sam.13.20" parsed="|2Sam|13|1|13|20" passage="2Sa 13:1-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.13.1-2Sam.13.20">
<h4 id="iiSam.xiv-p1.6">Amnon's Incest. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xiv-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1032.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xiv-p2">1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom
the son of David had a fair sister, whose name <i>was</i> Tamar;
and Amnon the son of David loved her.   2 And Amnon was so
vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she <i>was</i> a
virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
  3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name <i>was</i> Jonadab, the
son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab <i>was</i> a very
subtle man.   4 And he said unto him, Why <i>art</i> thou,
<i>being</i> the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not
tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother
Absalom's sister.   5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down
on thy bed, and make thyself 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
<i>it,</i> and eat <i>it</i> at her hand.   6 So Amnon lay
down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him,
Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come,
and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her
hand.   7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy
brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.   8 So Tamar went
to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took
flour, and kneaded <i>it,</i> and made cakes in his sight, and did
bake the cakes.   9 And she took a pan, and poured <i>them</i>
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.   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 <i>them</i> into the chamber to Amnon her brother.  
11 And when she had brought <i>them</i> unto him to eat, he took
hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.  
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.
  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.   14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but,
being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.   15
Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he
hated her <i>was</i> greater than the love wherewith he had loved
her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.   16 And she
said unto him, <i>There is</i> no cause: this evil in sending me
away <i>is</i> greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But
he would not hearken unto her.   17 Then he called his servant
that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this <i>woman</i> out
from me, and bolt the door after her.   18 And <i>she had</i>
a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the
king's daughters <i>that were</i> virgins apparelled. Then his
servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.   19
And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers
colours that <i>was</i> on her, and laid her hand on her head, and
went on crying.   20 And Absalom her brother said unto her,
Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my
sister: he <i>is</i> thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar
remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p3">We have here a particular account of the
abominable wickedness of Amnon in ravishing his sister, a subject
not fit to be enlarged upon nor indeed to be mentioned without
blushing, that ever any man should be so vile, especially that a
son of David should be so. Amnon's character, we have reason to
think, was bad in other things; if he had not forsaken God, he
would never have been given up to these vile affections. Godly
parents have often been afflicted with wicked children; grace does
not run in the blood, but corruption does. We do not find that
David's children imitated him in his devotion; but his false steps
they trod in, and in those did much worse, and repented not.
Parents know not how fatal the consequences may be if in any
instance they give their children bad examples. Observe the steps
of Amnon's sin.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p4">I. The devil, as an unclean spirit, put it
into his heart to lust after his sister Tamar. Beauty is a snare to
many; it was so to her. She was fair, and therefore Amnon coveted
her, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.1" parsed="|2Sam|13|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Those
that are peculiarly handsome have no reason, on that account, to be
proud, but great reason to stand upon their watch. Amnon's lust
was, 1. Unnatural in itself, to lust after his sister, which even
natural conscience startles at and cannot think of without horror.
Such a spirit of contradiction there is in man's corrupt nature
that still it desires forbidden fruit, and the more strongly it is
forbidden the more greedily it is desired. Can he entertain the
thought of betraying that virtue and honour of which, as a brother,
he ought to have been the protector? But what wickedness so vile as
not to find admittance into an unsanctified unguarded heart, left
to itself? 2. It was very uneasy to him. He was so vexed that he
could not gain an opportunity to solicit her chastity (for innocent
converse with her was not denied him) that he <i>fell sick,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.2" parsed="|2Sam|13|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Fleshly lusts
are their own punishment, and not only <i>war against the soul,</i>
but against the body too, and are the <i>rottenness of the
bones.</i> See what a hard master sinners serve, and how heavy his
yoke is.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p5">II. The devil, as a subtle serpent, put it
into his head how to compass this wicked design. Amnon had a friend
(so he called him, but he was really an enemy to him), a kinsman,
that had in him more of David's blood (for he was his nephew) than
of David's spirit, for he was a subtle man, cunning to carry on any
bad design, especially an intrigue of this nature, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.3" parsed="|2Sam|13|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p6">1. He took notice that Amnon looked ill,
and, being a subtle man, concluded that he was love-sick (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.4" parsed="|2Sam|13|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), and asks him, "<i>Why
art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day?</i> Why dost
thou pine, being the king's eldest son, and heir to the crown.
<i>Being the king's son,</i>" (1.) "Thou hast the pleasures of the
court to divert thee; take those pleasures then, and with them
drive away the sorrow, whatever it is." Content and comfort are not
always to be found in royal palaces. With much more reason may we
ask dejected and disconsolate saints why they, who are the children
of the King of kings and heirs of the crown of life, are thus
<i>lean from day to day.</i> (2.) "Thou hast the power of a prince
to command what thou wantest and wishest for; use that power
therefore, and gratify thyself. Pine not away for that which,
lawful or unlawful, thou, being the king's son, mayest have.
<i>Quicquid libet licet—Your will is law.</i>" Thus Jezebel to
Ahab in a like case (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.21.7" parsed="|1Kgs|21|7|0|0" passage="1Ki 21:7">1 Kings xxi.
7</scripRef>), <i>Dost not thou govern Israel?</i> The abuse of
power is the most dangerous temptation of the great.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p7">2. Amnon having the impudence to own his
wicked lust, miscalling it <i>love (I love Tamar</i>), Jonadab put
him in a way to compass his design, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.5" parsed="|2Sam|13|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Had he been what he pretended
(Amnon's friend), he would have startled at the mention of such
horrid wickedness, would have laid before him the evil of it, what
an offence it was to God and what a wrong to his own soul to
entertain such a vile thought, of what fatal consequence it would
be to him to cherish and prosecute it; he would have used his
subtlety to divert Amnon from it, by recommending some other person
to him, whom he might lawfully marry. But he seems not at all
surprised at it, objects not either the unlawfulness or the
difficulty, the reproach or so much as his father's displeasure,
but puts him in the way to get Tamar to his bed-side, and then he
might do as he pleased. Note, The case of those is very miserable
whose friends, instead of admonishing and reproving them, flatter
them and forward them in their sinful ways, and are their
counsellors and contrivers to do wickedly. Amnon is already sick,
but goes about; he must take upon him to be so ill (and his thin
looks will give colour enough to the pretence) as not to be able to
get up, and to have no appetite to any thing but just that which
pleases his fancy. Dainty meat is abhorred, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.33.20" parsed="|Job|33|20|0|0" passage="Job 33:20">Job xxxiii. 20</scripRef>. The best dish from the
king's table cannot please him; but, if he can eat any thing, it
must be from his sister Tamar's fair hand. This is what he is
advised to.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p8">3. Amnon followed these directions, and
thus got Tamar within his reach: <i>He made himself sick,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.6" parsed="|2Sam|13|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Thus he
<i>lieth in wait secretly, as a lion in his den, to catch the
poor,</i> and to <i>draw them into his net,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.10.8-Ps.10.10" parsed="|Ps|10|8|10|10" passage="Ps 10:8-10">Ps. x. 8-10</scripRef>. David was always fond of his
children, and concerned if any thing ailed them; he no sooner hears
that Amnon is sick than he comes himself to visit him. Let parents
learn hence to be tender of their children and compassionate
towards them. The sick child commonly <i>the mother</i> comforteth
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.13" parsed="|Isa|66|13|0|0" passage="Isa 66:13">Isa. lxvi. 13</scripRef>), but let
not the <i>father</i> be unconcerned. We may suppose that when
David came to see his sick son he gave him good counsel to make a
right use of his affliction, and prayed with him, which yet did not
alter his wicked purpose. At parting, the indulgent father asks,
"Is there any thing thou hast a mind to, that I can procure for
thee?" "Yes, Sir," says the dissembling son, "my stomach is weak,
and I know not of any thing I can eat, unless it be a cake of my
sister Tamar's making, and I cannot be satisfied that it is so
unless I see her make it, and it will do me the more good if I eat
it at her hand." David saw no reason to suspect any mischief
intended. God hid his heart from understanding in this matter. He
therefore immediately orders Tamar to go and attend her sick
brother, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.7" parsed="|2Sam|13|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He
does it very innocently, but afterwards, no doubt, reflected upon
it with great regret. Tamar as innocently goes to her brother's
chamber, neither dreading any abuse (why should she from a brother,
a sick brother?) nor disdaining, in obedience to her father and
love to her brother (though but her half-brother), to be his nurse,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.8-2Sam.13.9" parsed="|2Sam|13|8|13|9" passage="2Sa 13:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8, 9</scripRef>. Though
she was a king's daughter, a great beauty (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.1" parsed="|2Sam|13|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), and well dressed (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.18" parsed="|2Sam|13|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), yet she did not think
it below her to knead cakes and bake them, nor would she have done
this now if she had not been used to it. Good house-wifery is not a
thing below the greatest ladies, nor ought they to think it a
disparagement to them. The virtuous woman, whose husband sits among
the elders, yet <i>works willingly with her hands,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.31.13" parsed="|Prov|31|13|0|0" passage="Pr 31:13">Prov. xxxi. 13</scripRef>. Modern ages have not
been destitute of such instances, nor is it so unfashionable as
some would make it. Preparing for the sick should be more the care
and delight of the ladies than preparing for the nice, charity more
than curiosity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p9">4. Having got her to him, he contrives to
have her alone; for <i>the adulterer</i> (much more so vile an
adulterer as this) is in care that <i>no eye see him,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.24.15" parsed="|Job|24|15|0|0" passage="Job 24:15">Job xxiv. 15</scripRef>. The meat is ready, but
he cannot eat while he is looked at by those about him; they must
all be turned out, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.9" parsed="|2Sam|13|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. The sick must be humoured, and think they have a
privilege to command. Tamar is willing to humour him; her chaste
and virtuous soul has not the least thought of that which his
polluted breast is full of; and therefore she makes no scruple of
being alone with him <i>in the inner chamber,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.10" parsed="|2Sam|13|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. And now the mask is
thrown off, the meat is thrown by, and the wicked wretch calls her
<i>sister,</i> and yet impudently courts her to <i>come and lie
with him,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.11" parsed="|2Sam|13|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. It was a base affront to her virtue to think it
possible to persuade her to consent to such wickedness when he knew
her behaviour to be always exemplarily modest and virtuous. But it
is common for those that live in uncleanness to think others such
as themselves, at least tinder to their sparks.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p10">III. The devil, as a strong tempter,
deafens his ear to all the reasonings with which she resisted his
assaults and would have persuaded him to desist. We may well
imagine what a surprise and terror it was to the young lady to be
thus attacked, how she blushed and how she trembled; yet, in this
great confusion, nothing could be said more pertinently, nor with
greater strength of argument, than what she said to him. 1. She
calls him <i>brother,</i> reminding him of the nearness of the
relation, which made it unlawful for him to marry her, much more to
debauch her. It was expressly forbidden (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.18.9" parsed="|Lev|18|9|0|0" passage="Le 18:9">Lev. xviii. 9</scripRef>) under a severe penalty,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.20.17" parsed="|Lev|20|17|0|0" passage="Le 20:17">Lev. xx. 17</scripRef>. Great care
must be taken lest the love that should be among relations
degenerate into lust. 2. She entreats him not to force her, which
intimates that she would never consent to it in any degree; and
what satisfaction could he take in offering violence? 3. She lays
before him the great wickedness of it. It is <i>folly;</i> all sin
is so, especially uncleanness. It is wickedness of the worst kind.
Such abominations ought not to be committed in Israel, among the
professing people of God, that have better statutes than the
heathen have. We are Israelites; if we do such things, we are more
inexcusable than others, and our condemnation will be more
intolerable, for we <i>reproach the Lord,</i> and <i>that worthy
name by which we are called.</i> 4. She represents to him the shame
of it, which perhaps might influence him more than the sin of it:
"For my part, <i>whither shall I cause my shame to go?</i> If it
should be concealed, yet I shall blush to think of it as long as I
live; and, if ever it be known, how shall I be able to look any of
my friends in the face? For thy part, <i>thou shalt be as one of
the fools in Israel,</i>" that is, "Thou wilt be looked upon as an
atrocious debauchee, the worst of men; thou wilt lose thy interest
in the esteem of all that are wise and good, and so wilt be set
aside as unfit to rule, though the first-born; for Israel will
never submit to the government of such a fool." Prospect of shame,
especially everlasting shame, should deter us from sin. 5. To
divert him from his wicked purpose at this time, and (if possible)
to get clear of him, she intimates to him that probably the king,
rather than he should die for love of her, would dispense with the
divine law and let him marry her: not as if she thought he had such
a dispensing power, or would pretend to it; but she was confident
that, upon notice given to the king by himself of this wicked
desire, which he would scarcely have believed from any one else, he
would take an effectual course to protect her from him. But all her
arts and all her arguments availed not. His proud spirit cannot
bear a denial; but her comfort, and honour, and all that was dear
to her, must be sacrificed to his brutish and outrageous lust,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.14" parsed="|2Sam|13|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. It is to be
feared that Amnon, though young, had long lived a lewd life, which
his father either knew not or punished not; for a man could not, of
a sudden, arrive at such a pitch of wickedness as this. But is this
his love to Tamar? Is this the recompence he gives her for her
readiness to attend him in his sickness? Will he deal with his
sister as with a harlot? Base villain! God deliver all that are
modest and virtuous from such wicked and unreasonable men.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p11">IV. The devil, as a tormentor and betrayer,
immediately turns his love of her into hatred (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.15" parsed="|2Sam|13|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>He hated her with great
hatred, greatly,</i> so it is in the margin, and grew as outrageous
in his malice as he had been in his lust.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p12">1. He basely turned her out of doors by
force; nay, as if he now disdained to touch her with his own hands,
he ordered his servant to <i>pull her out</i> and <i>bolt the door
after her,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.17" parsed="|2Sam|13|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. Now, (1.) The innocent injured lady had reason to
resent this as a great affront, and in some respects (as she says,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.16" parsed="|2Sam|13|16|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) worse than
the former; for nothing could have been done more barbarous and
ill-natured, or more disgraceful to her. Had he taken care to
conceal what was done, her honour would have been lost to herself
only. Had he gone down on his knees and begged her pardon, it might
have been some little reparation. Had he given her time to compose
herself after the horrid confusion she was put into, she might have
kept her countenance when she went out, and so have kept her
counsel. But to dismiss her thus hurried, thus rudely, as if she
had done some wicked thing, obliged her, in her own defence, to
proclaim the wrong that had been done her. (2.) We may learn from
it both the malignity of sin (unbridled passions are as bad as
unbridled appetites) and the mischievous consequences of sin (at
last, it bites like a serpent); for here we find, [1.] That sins,
sweet in the commission, afterwards become odious and painful, and
the sinner's own conscience makes them so to himself. Amnon hated
Tamar because she would not consent to his wickedness, and so take
part of the blame upon herself, but to the last resisted it, and
reasoned against it, and so threw all the blame upon him. Had he
hated the sin, and loathed himself for it, we might have hoped he
was penitent. <i>Godly sorrow worketh indignation,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.11" parsed="|2Cor|7|11|0|0" passage="2Co 7:11">2 Cor. vii. 11</scripRef>. But to hate the
person he had abused showed that his conscience was terrified, but
his heart not at all humbled. See what deceitful pleasures those of
the flesh are, how soon they pass away, and turn into loathing; see
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.23.17" parsed="|Ezek|23|17|0|0" passage="Eze 23:17">Ezek. xxiii. 17</scripRef>. [2.] That
sins, secret in the commission, afterwards become open and public,
and the sinners themselves often make them so. Their own tongues
fall upon them. The Jewish doctors say that, upon the occasion of
this wickedness of Amnon, a law was made that a young man and a
young woman should never be alone together; for, said they, if the
king's daughter be so used, what will become of the children of
private men?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p13">2. We must now leave the criminal to the
terrors of his own guilty conscience, and enquire what becomes of
the poor victim. (1.) She bitterly lamented the injury she had
received, as it was a stain to her honour, though no real blemish
to her virtue. She tore her fine clothes in token of her grief, and
put ashes upon her head, to deform herself, loathing her own beauty
and ornaments, because they had occasioned Amnon's unlawful love;
and she went on crying for another's sin, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.19" parsed="|2Sam|13|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. (2.) She retired to her
brother Absalom's house, because he was her own brother, and there
she lived in solitude and sorrow, in token of her modesty and
detestation of uncleanness. Absalom spoke kindly to her, bade her
pass by the injury for the present, designing himself to revenge
it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.20" parsed="|2Sam|13|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. It
should seem by Absalom's question (<i>Has Amnon been with
thee?</i>) that Amnon was notorious for such lewd practices, so
that it was dangerous for a modest woman to be with him; this
Absalom might know, and yet Tamar be wholly ignorant of it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xiv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.21-2Sam.13.29" parsed="|2Sam|13|21|13|29" passage="2Sa 13:21-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.13.21-2Sam.13.29">
<h4 id="iiSam.xiv-p13.4">The Plot Against Amnon. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xiv-p13.5">b. c.</span> 1032.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xiv-p14">21 But when king David heard of all these
things, he was very wroth.   22 And Absalom spake unto his
brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon,
because he had forced his sister Tamar.   23 And it came to
pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in
Baal-hazor, which <i>is</i> beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all
the king's sons.   24 And Absalom came to the king, and said,
Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech
thee, and his servants go with thy servant.   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.   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?   27 But Absalom pressed him, that he
let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.   28 Now
Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when
Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite
Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be
courageous, and be valiant.   29 And the servants of Absalom
did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons
arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p15">What Solomon says of the beginning of
strife is as true of the beginning of all sin, it is as the letting
forth of water; when once the flood-gates are plucked up, an
inundation follows; one mischief begets another, and it is hard to
say what shall be in the end thereof.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p16">I. We are here told how David resented the
tidings of Amnon's sin: <i>He was very wroth,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.21" parsed="|2Sam|13|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. So he had reason to
be, that his own son should do such a wicked thing and draw him to
be accessory to it. It would be a reproach to him for not giving
him a better education; it would be a blot upon his family, the
ruin of his daughter, a bad example to his kingdom, and a wrong to
his son's soul. But was it enough for him to be angry? He ought to
have punished his son for it, and have put him to open shame; both
as a father and as a king he had power to do it. But the LXX. here
adds these words: <i>But he saddened not the spirit of his son
Amnon, because he loved him, because he was his first-born.</i> He
fell into Eli's error, whose sons <i>made themselves vile, and he
frowned not on them.</i> If Amnon was dear to him, his punishing
him would have been so much the greater punishment to himself for
his own uncleanness. But he cannot bear the shame those must submit
to who correct that in others which they are conscious of in
themselves, and therefore his anger must serve instead of his
justice; and this hardens sinners, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.8.11" parsed="|Eccl|8|11|0|0" passage="Ec 8:11">Eccl. viii. 11</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p17">II. How Absalom resented it. He resolves
already to do the part of a judge in Israel; and, since his father
will not punish Amnon, he will, from a principle, not of justice or
zeal for virtue, but of revenge, because he reckons himself
affronted in the abuse done to his sister. Their mother was
daughter to a heathen prince (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.3.3" parsed="|2Sam|3|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 3:3"><i>ch.</i> iii. 3</scripRef>), which perhaps they were
upbraided with sometimes by their brethren, as children of a
stranger. As such a one Absalom thought his sister was now treated;
and, if Amnon thought her fit to be made his harlot, he would think
him fit to be made his slave. This enraged him, and nothing less
than the blood of Amnon will quench his rage. Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p18">1. The design conceived: <i>Absalom hated
Amnon</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.22" parsed="|2Sam|13|22|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>),
<i>and he that hateth his brother is a murderer</i> already, and,
like <i>Cain, is of that wicked one,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.12 Bible:1John.3.15" parsed="|1John|3|12|0|0;|1John|3|15|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:12,15">1 John iii. 12, 15</scripRef>. Absalom's hatred of
his brother's crime would have been commendable, and he might
justly have prosecuted him for it by a due course of law, for
example to others, and the making of some compensation to his
injured sister; but to hate his person, and design his death by
assassination, was to put a great affront upon God, by offering to
repair the breach of his seventh commandment by the violation of
his sixth, as if they were not all alike sacred. <i>But he that
said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.11" parsed="|Jas|2|11|0|0" passage="Jam 2:11">James ii. 11</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p19">2. The design concealed. He said nothing to
Amnon of this matter, either good or bad, appeared as if he did not
know it, and maintained towards him his usual civility, only
waiting for a fair opportunity to do him a mischief. That malice is
the worst, (1.) Which is hidden closely, and has no vent given to
it. If Absalom had reasoned the matter with Amnon, he might have
convinced him of his sin and brought him to repentance; but, saying
nothing, Amnon's heart was hardened, and his own more and more
embittered against him; therefore rebuking our neighbour is opposed
to hating him in our hearts, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.19.17" parsed="|Lev|19|17|0|0" passage="Le 19:17">Lev. xix.
17</scripRef>. Let passion have vent and it will spend itself. (2.)
Which is gilded over with a show of friendship; so Absalom's was,
<i>his words smoother than butter but war in his heart.</i> See
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.26.26" parsed="|Prov|26|26|0|0" passage="Pr 26:26">Prov. xxvi. 26</scripRef>. (3.) Which
is harboured long. Two full years Absalom nursed this root of
bitterness, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.24" parsed="|2Sam|13|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>.
It may be, at first, he did not intend to kill his brother (for, if
he had, he might have had as fair an opportunity to do it as he had
at last), and only waited for an occasion to disgrace him or do him
some other mischief; but in time his hatred ripened to this, that
he would be no less than the death of him. If the <i>sun going
down</i> once <i>upon the wrath gives such place to the devil</i>
(as is intimated, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.26-Eph.4.27" parsed="|Eph|4|26|4|27" passage="Eph 4:26,27">Eph. iv. 26,
27</scripRef>), what would the sunsets of two full years do?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p20">3. The design laid. (1.) Absalom has a
feast at his house in the country, as Nabal had, on occasion of his
sheep-shearing, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.23" parsed="|2Sam|13|23|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. Attentive as Absalom was to his person (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.14.26" parsed="|2Sam|14|26|0|0" passage="2Sa 14:26"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 26</scripRef>), and as high as
he looked, he <i>knew the state of his flocks and looked well to
his herds.</i> Those who have no other care about their estates in
the country than how to spend them in the town take a ready way to
see the end of them. When Absalom had sheep-shearers he would
himself be with them. (2.) To this feast he invites the king his
father, and all the princes of the blood (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.24" parsed="|2Sam|13|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), not only that he might have
this opportunity to pay his respects to them, but that he might
make himself the more respected among his neighbours. Those that
are akin to great folks are apt to value themselves too much on
their kindred. (3.) The king would not go himself, because he would
not put him to the expense of his entertainment, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.25" parsed="|2Sam|13|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. It seems Absalom had an estate
in his own hands, on which he lived like himself; the king had
given it to him, but would have him to be a good husband of it: in
both these he is an example to parents, when their children have
grown up, to give them a competency to live upon, according to
their rank, and then to take care that they do not live above it,
especially that they be no way accessory to their doing so. It is
prudent for young house-keepers to begin as they can hold out, and
not to spend the wool upon the shearing of it. (4.) Absalom got
leave for Amnon, and all the rest of the king's sons, to come and
grace his table in the country, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.26-2Sam.13.27" parsed="|2Sam|13|26|13|27" passage="2Sa 13:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26, 27</scripRef>. Absalom had so
effectually concealed his enmity to Amnon that David saw no reason
to suspect any design upon him in that particular invitation: "Let
my brother Amnon go;" but this would make the stroke more cutting
to David that he was himself drawn in to consent to that which gave
the opportunity for it, as before, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.7" parsed="|2Sam|13|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. It seems, David's sons, though
grown up, continued to pay such a deference to their father as not
to go such a small journey as this without leave. Thus ought
children, even when they have become men and women, to honour their
parents, consult them, and do nothing material without their
consent, much less against their mind.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p21">4. The design executed, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.28-2Sam.13.29" parsed="|2Sam|13|28|13|29" passage="2Sa 13:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28, 29</scripRef>. (1.) Absalom's
entertainment was very plentiful; for he resolves that they shall
all be merry with wine, at least concludes that Amnon will be so,
for he knew that he was apt to drink to excess. But, (2.) The
orders he gave to his servants concerning Amnon, that they should
mingle his blood with his wine, were very barbarous. Had he
challenged him, and, in reliance upon the goodness of his cause and
the justice of God, fought him himself, though that would have been
bad enough, yet it would have been more honourable and excusable
(our ancient law, in some cases, allowed trial by battle); but to
murder him, as he did, was to copy Cain's example, only that the
reason made a difference: Abel was slain for his righteousness,
Amnon for his wickedness. Observe the aggravations of this sin:—
[1.] He would have Amnon slain <i>when his heart was merry with
wine,</i> and he was consequently least apprehensive of danger,
least able to resist it, and also least fit to go out of the world;
as if his malice aimed to destroy both soul and body, not giving
him time to say, <i>Lord, have mercy upon me.</i> What a dreadful
surprise hath death been to many, whose hearts have been
<i>overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness!</i> [2.] His
servants must be employed to do it, and so involved in the guilt.
He was to give the word of command—<i>Smite Amnon;</i> and then
they, in obedience to him, and, upon presumption that his authority
would bear them out, must <i>kill him.</i> What an impious defiance
does he bid to the divine law, when, though the command of God is
express, <i>Thou shalt not kill,</i> he bids them kill Amnon, with
this warrant, "<i>Have not I commanded you?</i> That is enough.
<i>Be courageous,</i> and fear neither God nor man." Those servants
are ill taught who obey their masters in contradiction to God, and
those are wicked masters who have taught them to do so. Those are
too obsequious that will damn their souls to please their masters,
whose big words cannot secure them from God's wrath. Masters must
always command their servants as those that know they also have a
Master in heaven. [3.] He did it in the presence of <i>all the
king's sons,</i> of whom it is said (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.18" parsed="|2Sam|8|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:18"><i>ch.</i> viii. 18</scripRef>) that they were <i>chief
rulers;</i> so that it was an affront to public justice which they
had the administration of, and to the king his father whom they
represented, and a contempt of that sword which should have been a
terror to his evil deeds, while his evil deeds, on the contrary,
were a terror to those that bore it. [4.] There is reason to
suspect that Absalom did this, not only to revenge his sister's
quarrel, but to make way for himself to the throne, which he was
ambitious of, and which he would stand fair for if Amnon the eldest
son was taken off. When the word of command was given Absalom's
servants failed not to execute it, being buoyed up with an opinion
that their master, being now next heir to the crown (for Chileab
was dead, as bishop Patrick thinks), would save them from harm. Now
the threatened sword is drawn in David's house which should not
depart from it. <i>First,</i> His eldest son falls by it, himself
being, by his wickedness, the cause of it, and his father, by his
connivance, accessory to it. <i>Secondly,</i> All his sons flee
from it, and come home in terror, not knowing how far their brother
Absalom's bloody design might extend. See what mischief sin makes
in families.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xiv-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.30-2Sam.13.39" parsed="|2Sam|13|30|13|39" passage="2Sa 13:30-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.13.30-2Sam.13.39">
<h4 id="iiSam.xiv-p21.4">Amnon's Death; Absalom's
Flight. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xiv-p21.5">b. c.</span> 1032.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xiv-p22">30 And it came to pass, while they were in the
way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the
king's sons, and there is not one of them left.   31 Then the
king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all
his servants stood by with their clothes rent.   32 And
Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let
not my lord suppose <i>that</i> they have slain all the young men
the king's 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.   33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take
the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead:
for Amnon only is dead.   34 But Absalom fled. And the young
man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and,
behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind
him.   35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's
sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.   36 And it came to
pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the
king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king
also and all his servants wept very sore.   37 But Absalom
fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And
<i>David</i> mourned for his son every day.   38 So Absalom
fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.   39 And
<i>the soul of</i> king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for
he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p23">Here is, I. The fright that David was put
into by a false report brought to Jerusalem that Absalom had
<i>slain all the king's sons,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.30" parsed="|2Sam|13|30|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. It is common for fame to make
bad worse; and the first news of such a thing as this represents it
as more dreadful than afterwards it proves. Let us not therefore be
afraid of evil tidings, while they want confirmation, but, when we
hear the worst, hope the best, at least hope better. However, this
false news gave as much affliction to David, for the present, as if
it had been true; he <i>tore his garments, and lay on the
earth,</i> while as yet it was only a flying story, <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.31" parsed="|2Sam|13|31|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. It was well that David
had grace; he had need enough of it, for he had strong
passions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p24">II. The rectifying of the mistake in two
ways:—1. By the sly suggestions of Jonadab, David's nephew, who
could tell him, <i>Amnon only is dead,</i> and not all the king's
sons (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.32-2Sam.13.33" parsed="|2Sam|13|32|13|33" passage="2Sa 13:32,33"><i>v.</i> 32,
33</scripRef>), and could tell him too that it was done by the
appointment of Absalom, and designed from the day Amnon forced his
sister Tamar. What a wicked man was he, if he knew all this or had
any cause to suspect it, that he did not make David acquainted with
it sooner, that means might be used to make up the quarrel, or at
least that David might not throw Amnon into the mouth of danger by
letting him go to Absalom's house. If we do not our utmost to
prevent mischief, we make ourselves accessory to it. <i>If we say,
Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart
consider</i> whether we did or no? See <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.24.11-Prov.24.12" parsed="|Prov|24|11|24|12" passage="Pr 24:11,12">Prov. xxiv. 11, 12</scripRef>. It is well if Jonadab
was not as guilty of Amnon's death as he was of his sin; such
friends do those prove who are hearkened to as counsellors to do
wickedly: he that would not be so kind as to prevent Amnon's sin
would not be so kind as to prevent his ruin, when, it should seem,
he might have done both. 2. By the safe return of all the king's
sons except Amnon. They and their attendants were speedily
discovered by the watch (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.34-2Sam.13.35" parsed="|2Sam|13|34|13|35" passage="2Sa 13:34,35"><i>v.</i>
34, 35</scripRef>), and soon arrived, to show themselves alive, but
to bring the certain sad news that Absalom had murdered their
brother Amnon. The grief David had been in for that which was not
made him the better able to bear that which was, by giving him a
sensible occasion, when he was undeceived, to thank God that all
his sons were not dead: yet that Amnon was dead, and slain by his
own brother is such a treacherous barbarous manner, was enough to
put the king and court, the king and kingdom, into real mourning.
Sorrow is never more reasonable than when there is sin in the
case.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p25">III. Absalom's flight from justice:
<i>Absalom</i> immediately <i>fled,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.34" parsed="|2Sam|13|34|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. He was now as much afraid of
the king's sons as they were of him; they fled from his malice, he
from their justice. No part of the land of Israel could shelter
him. The cities of refuge gave no protection to a wilful murderer.
Though David had let Amnon's incest go unpunished, Absalom could
not promise himself his pardon for this murder; so express was the
law in this case, and so well known David's justice, and his dread
of blood-guiltiness. He therefore made the best of his way to his
mother's relations, and was entertained by his grandfather
<i>Talmai, king of Geshur</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.37" parsed="|2Sam|13|37|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>), and there he was protected
<i>three years</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.38" parsed="|2Sam|13|38|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:38"><i>v.</i>
38</scripRef>), David not demanding him, and Talmai not thinking
himself obliged to send him back unless he were demanded.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xiv-p26">IV. David's uneasiness for his absence. He
mourned for Amnon a good while (<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.37" parsed="|2Sam|13|37|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>), but, he being past recall,
time wore off that grief: he was <i>comforted concerning Amnon.</i>
It also wore off too much his detestation of Absalom's sin; instead
of loathing him as a murderer, he <i>longs to go forth to him,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xiv-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.13.39" parsed="|2Sam|13|39|0|0" passage="2Sa 13:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. At first he
could not find in his heart to do justice on him; now he can almost
find in his heart to take him into his favour again. This was
David's infirmity. Something God saw in his heart that made a
difference, else we should have thought that he, as much as Eli,
<i>honoured his sons more than God.</i></p>
</div></div2>