2 Samuel 13
Bible in Basic English
1Now after this, it came about that Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and David's son Amnon was in love with her.
2And he was so deeply in love that he became ill because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin, and so it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother: and Jonadab was a very wise man.
4And he said to him, O son of the king, why are you getting thinner day by day? will you not say what your trouble is? And Amnon said to him, I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
5Then Jonadab said to him, Go to your bed, and let it seem that you are ill: and when your father comes to see you, say to him, Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread, and get the food ready before my eyes, so that I may see it and take it from her hand.
6So Amnon went to bed and made himself seem ill: and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, Please let my sister Tamar come and make me one or two cakes before my eyes, so that I may take food from her hand.
7Then David sent to the house for Tamar and said, Go now to your brother Amnon's house and get a meal for him.
8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was in bed. And she took paste and made cakes before his eyes, cooking them over the fire.
9And she took the cooking-pot, and put the cakes before him, but he would not take them. And Amnon said, Let everyone go away from me. So they all went out.
10Then Amnon said to Tamar, Take the food and come into my bedroom, so that I may take it from your hand. So Tamar took the cakes she had made and went with them into her brother Amnon's bedroom.
11And when she took them to give them to him, he put his arms round her and said, Come to bed, my sister.
12And answering him, she said, O my brother, do not put shame on me; it is not right for such a thing to be done in Israel: do not this evil thing.
13What will become of me in my shame? and as for you, you will be looked down on with disgust by all Israel. Now then, go and make your request to the king, for he will not keep me from you.
14But he would not give attention to what she said: but being stronger than she, he took her by force, and had connection with her.
15Then Amnon was full of hate for her, hating her with a hate greater than his earlier love for her. And he said to her, Get up and be gone.
16And she said to him, Not so, my brother, for this great wrong in sending me away is worse than what you did to me before. But he gave no attention to her.
17Then he gave a cry to the servant who was waiting on him and said, Put this woman out, and let the door be locked after her.
18Now she had on a long robe, such as in past times the king's virgin daughters were dressed in. Then the servant put her out, locking the door after her.
19And Tamar, in her grief, put dust on her head; and she put her hand on her head and went away crying loudly.
20And her brother Absalom said to her, Has your brother Amnon been with you? but now, let there be an end to your crying, my sister: he is your brother, do not take this thing to heart. So Tamar went on living uncomforted in her brother's house.
21But when King David had news of all these things he was very angry; but he did not make trouble for Amnon his son, for he was dear to David, being his oldest son.
22But Absalom said nothing to his brother Amnon, good or bad: for he was full of hate for him, because he had taken his sister Tamar by force.
23Now after two full years, Absalom had men cutting the wool of his sheep in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim: and he sent for all the king's sons to come to his feast.
24And Absalom came to the king and said, See now, your servant is cutting the wool of his sheep; will the king and his servants be pleased to come?
25And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, or the number will be over-great for you. And he made his request again, but he would not go, but he gave him his blessing.
26Then Absalom said, If you will not go, then let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said to him, Is there any reason for him to go with you?
27But Absalom went on requesting him till he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. And Absalom made a great feast like a feast for a king.
28Now Absalom had given orders to his servants, saying, Now take note when Amnon's heart is glad with wine; and when I say to you, Make an attack on Amnon, then put him to death without fear: have I not given you orders? be strong and without fear.
29So Absalom's servants did to Amnon as Absalom had given them orders. Then all the king's sons got up, and every man got on his beast and went in flight.
30Now while they were on their way, news was given to David that Absalom had put to death all the sons of the king and that not one of them was still living.
31Then the king got up in great grief, stretching himself out on the earth: and all his servants were by his side, with their clothing parted.
32And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, Let not my lord have the idea that all the sons of the king have been put to death; for only Amnon is dead: this has been purposed by Absalom from the day when he took his sister Tamar by force.
33So now, let not my lord the king take this thing to heart, with the idea that all the king's sons are dead: for only Amnon is dead.
34But Absalom went in flight. And the young man who kept the watch, lifting up his eyes, saw that a great band of people was coming down the slope by the way of the Horons; and the watchman came and gave word to the king, saying, I saw men coming down by the way of the Horons, from the hillside.
35And Jonadab said to the king, See, the king's sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.
36And while he was talking, the king's sons came, with weeping and loud cries: and the king and all his servants were weeping bitterly.
37So Absalom went in flight and came to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur, where he was for three years.
38And the king was sorrowing for his son all the time.
39And the heart of David was wasted with desire for Absalom: for he was comforted for the death of Amnon.
Reina-Valera 1909
1ACONTECIÓ después de esto, que teniendo Absalom hijo de David una hermana hermosa que se llamaba Thamar, enamoróse de ella Amnón hijo de David.
2Y estaba Amnón angustiado hasta enfermar, por Thamar su hermana: porque por ser ella virgen, parecía á Amnón que sería cosa dificultosa hacerle algo.
3Y Amnón tenía un amigo que se llamaba Jonadab, hijo de Simea, hermano de David: y era Jonadab hombre muy astuto.
4Y éste le dijo: Hijo del rey, ¿por qué de día en día vas así enflaqueciendo? ¿no me lo descubrirás á mí? Y Amnón le respondió: Yo amo á Thamar la hermana de Absalom mi hermano.
5Y Jonadab le dijo: Acuéstate en tu cama, y finge que estás enfermo; y cuando tu padre viniere á visitarte, dile: Ruégote que venga mi hermana Thamar, para que me conforte con alguna comida, y aderece delante de mí alguna vianda, para que viendo yo, la coma de su mano.
6Acostóse pues Amnón, y fingió que estaba enfermo, y vino el rey á visitarle: y dijo Amnón al rey: Yo te ruego que venga mi hermana Thamar, y haga delante de mí dos hojuelas, que coma yo de su mano.
7Y David envió á Thamar á su casa, diciendo: Ve ahora á casa de Amnón tu hermano, y hazle de comer.
8Y fué Thamar á casa de su hermano Amnón, el cual estaba acostado; y tomó harina, y amasó é hizo hojuelas delante de él, y aderezólas.
9Tomó luego la sartén, y sacólas delante de él: mas él no quiso comer. Y dijo Amnón: Echad fuera de aquí á todos. Y todos se salieron de allí.
10Entonces Amnón dijo á Thamar: Trae la comida á la alcoba, para que yo coma de tu mano. Y tomando Thamar las hojuelas que había aderezado, llevólas á su hermano Amnón á la alcoba.
11Y como ella se las puso delante para que comiese, él trabó de ella, diciéndole: Ven, hermana mía acuéstate conmigo.
12Ella entonces le respondió: No, hermano mío, no me hagas fuerza; porque no se ha de hacer así en Israel. No hagas tal desacierto.
13Porque, ¿dónde iría yo con mi deshonra? Y aun tú serías estimado como uno de los perversos en Israel. Ruégote pues ahora que hables al rey, que no me negará á ti.
14Mas él no la quiso oir; antes pudiendo más que ella la forzó, y echóse con ella.
15Aborrecióla luego Amnón de tan grande aborrecimiento, que el odio con que la aborreció fué mayor que el amor con que la había amado. Y díjole Amnón: Levántate y vete.
16Y ella le respondió: No es razón; mayor mal es éste de echarme, que el que me has hecho. Mas él no la quiso oir:
17Antes llamando su criado que le servía dijo: Echame ésta allá fuera, y tras ella cierra la puerta.
18Y tenía ella sobre sí una ropa de colores, traje que las hijas vírgenes de los reyes vestían. Echóla pues fuera su criado, y cerró la puerta tras ella.
19Entonces Thamar tomó ceniza, y esparcióla sobre su cabeza, y rasgó la ropa de colores de que estaba vestida, y puestas sus manos sobre su cabeza, fuése gritando.
20Y díjole su hermano Absalom: ¿Ha estado contigo tu hermano Amnón? Pues calla ahora, hermana mía: tu hermano es; no pongas tu corazón en este negocio. Y quedóse Thamar desconsolada en casa de Absalom su hermano.
21Y luego que el rey David oyó todo esto, fué muy enojado.
22Mas Absalom no habló con Amnón ni malo ni bueno; bien que Absalom aborrecía á Amnón, porque había forzado á Thamar su hermana.
23Y aconteció pasados dos años, que Absalom tenía esquiladores en Bala-hasor, que está junto á Ephraim; y convidó Absalom á todos los hijos del rey.
24Y vino Absalom al rey, y díjole: He aquí, tu siervo tiene ahora esquiladores: yo ruego que venga el rey y sus siervos con tu siervo.
25Y respondió el rey á Absalom: No, hijo mío, no vamos todos, porque no te hagamos costa. Y aunque porfió con él, no quiso ir, mas bendíjolo.
26Entonces dijo Absalom: Si no, ruégote que venga con nosotros Amnón mi hermano. Y el rey le respondió: ¿Para qué ha de ir contigo?
27Y como Absalom lo importunase, dejó ir con él á Amnón y á todos los hijos del rey.
28Y había Absalom dado orden á sus criados, diciendo: Ahora bien, mirad cuándo el corazón de Amnón estará alegre del vino, y en diciéndoos yo, Herid á Amnón, entonces matadle, y no temáis; que yo os lo he mandado. Esforzaos pues, y sed valientes.
29Y los criados de Absalom hicieron con Amnón como Absalom lo había mandado. Levantáronse luego todos los hijos del rey, y subieron todos en sus mulos, y huyeron.
30Y estando aún ellos en el camino, llegó á David el rumor que decía: Absalom ha muerto á todos los hijos del rey, que ninguno de ellos ha quedado.
31Entonces levantándose David, rasgó sus vestidos, y echóse en tierra, y todos sus criados, rasgados sus vestidos, estaban delante.
32Y Jonadab, hijo de Simea hermano de David, habló y dijo: No diga mi señor que han muerto á todos los jóvenes hijos del rey, que sólo Amnón es muerto: porque en boca de Absalom estaba puesto desde el día que Amnón forzó á Thamar su hermana.
33Por tanto, ahora no ponga mi señor el rey en su corazón esa voz que dice: Todos los hijos del rey son muertos: porque sólo Amnón es muerto.
34Absalom huyó luego. Entre tanto, alzando sus ojos el mozo que estaba en atalaya, miró, y he aquí mucho pueblo que venía á sus espaldas por el camino de hacia el monte.
35Y dijo Jonadab al rey: He allí los hijos del rey que vienen: es así como tu siervo ha dicho.
36Y como él acabó de hablar, he aquí los hijos del rey que vinieron, y alzando su voz lloraron. Y también el mismo rey y todos sus siervos lloraron con muy grandes lamentos.
37Mas Absalom huyó, y fuése á Talmai hijo de Amiud, rey de Gessur. Y David lloraba por su hijo todos los días.
38Y después que Absalom huyó y se fué á Gessur, estuvo allá tres años.
39Y el rey David deseó ver á Absalom: porque ya estaba consolado acerca de Amnón que era muerto.
King James Version
1And 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.
2And 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.
3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
4And he said unto him, Why art thou, being 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.
5And 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 it, and eat it at her hand.
6So 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.
7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.
8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9And 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.
10And 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.
11And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12And 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.
13And 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.
14Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15Then 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.
16And 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.
17Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
18And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19And 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.
20And 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 Absalom’s house.
21But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
22And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24And 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.
25And 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.
26Then 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?
27But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28Now 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.
29And 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.
30And 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.
31Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that 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.
33Now 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.
34But 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.
35And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
36And 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.
37But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
World English Bible
1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2Amnon 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.
3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4He 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.”
5Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”
6So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”
8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
9She took the pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Have all men leave me.” Then every man went out from him.
10Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother.
11When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister!”
12She answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly!
13As for me, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
14However, he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
15Then Amnon hated her with exceedingly great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
16She said to him, “Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!” But he would not listen to her.
17Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Now put this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.”
18She had a garment of various colors on her, for the king’s daughters who were virgins dressed in such robes. Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her.
19Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
20Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
25The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
27But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!”
29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.
30While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”
31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”
34But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.
35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
36As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voices and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.