Westminster Annotations, 2 Samuel (2 Kings) · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
Vers. 1. A fair sister] Both of them born of Maacha the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, Chap. 3. 3.
s…n of David] And of Ahinoam, the Jezreelitesse, Chap. 3. 2.
Amnon thought it hard] Heb. it was marvellous, or hidden in the eyes of Amnon; To wit, to obtain his desire of her, by reason she was so diligently attended and observed, being a virgin and the kings daughter.
V. 3. Shimeah] Called also Shammah, 1 Sam. 16. 9.
V. 4. being the kings son] And thereby hast power and means to have any thing at thine own pleasure.
lean, Heb. thinne] from day to day, Hebr. morning by morning. That is, dost daily pine and languish more and more.
V. 5. my sister Tamar] He bids him call her sister, to avoid the rather all jealousie and suspition of so foul a fact to be intended by him.
V. 6. cakes] Some hearty cordiall thing, or pleasing dish, sit for one in my languishing condition.
V. 8. flour] Or, paste.
V. 9. poured them] To wit, out of the baking or frying-pan into a dish.
V. 12. force me] Hebr. humble me.
no such thing ought to be done] Hebr. it ought not so to be done.
in Israel] That is, which being Gods holy people, abhorre such abominable wickednesse, Levit. 18. 6, 9, 11. See Gen. 34. 7.
V. 13. whither] That is, which way shall I clear my self of this dishonour and reproach.
fools] That is, notoriously infamous, and branded with folly and wickednesse.
speak] This she saith to allay the rage of his lust for the present, and to escape his violence, knowing, That if this brunt were past, the king would take order to keep her from him, such a match being incestuous, Levit. 18. 6, 9, 11.
V. 15. exceedingly] Heb. with great hatred greatly.
V. 16. is greater then the other] Seeing that, being done in secret, might be concealed; whereas if you, by thrusting me out, put me to open shame, Gods Name will be blasphemed amongst his enemies, when they hear of so foul a fact committed among his people, his people scandalized, our father grieved, both you and I shamefully dishonoured, and my brother Absalom enraged and incited to take revenge.
V. 18. divers colours] That is, of wrought or embroidered work. So Gen. 37. 3. Judg. 5. 30.
V. 19. ashes] As they used to expresse bitter mourning, and great grief.
her hand] To expresse her sorrow and shame, Jer. 2. 37.
and went] To wit, to bemoan her misery to her brother Absalom, v. 20.
crying] Proclaiming her wrong, that it might appear she had been forced, and not willingly yeelded to his lust.
V. 20. been with thee] That is, abused thee.
he is my brother] And therefore this foul fact of his were best to be concealed, seeing the publishing of it would redound both to the dishonour of the king, and the disgrace and shame of our whole family.
regard not] Hebr. set not thine heart: That is, take it not too much to heart, to be thereby swallowed up of grief, seeing a fit time may come of revenging thy wrongs.
desolate] Heb. and desolate.
V. 22. neither good] To wit, concerning this abuse offered to his sister, lest he should suspect that he intended revenge, and so should prevent it.
V. 23. Baal-hazor] Or, the plain of Hazor, situate on the borders of Ephraim and Benjamin, Josh. 15. 25.
invited] To wit, to a feast, as the manner was in those times. See 1 Sam. 25. 36.
V. 24. the king] He invites the king, to avoid all suspition and jealousie of any ill int…ntion against Amnon.
V. 25. blessed] That is, gave him thanks. So Chap. 14. 22.
V. 28. have not I commanded you?] Or, will you not, since I have commanded you? That is, Is not my command warrant sufficient to bear you out and excuse you?
valiant] Heb. sons of valour.
V. 29. gat him] Heb. rode.
V. 30. in the way] That is, posting towards the court.
V. 31. tare his garments] See Chap. 1. 11. and 12. 16.
lay on] As one dejected with grief, apprehending Gods wrath upon his house, Chap. 12. 10.
V. 32. answered] Heb. See Judg. 14. 18.
appointment] Heb. mouth.
determined] Or, setled.
V. 34. and looked] And having discovered the people approaching, brought word of it to David.
by the way] Which did lie between Baal-hazor and Jerusalem.
V. 35. as thy servant said, so it is] Heb. according to the word of thy servant; To wit, that all the kings sons are alive, and onelyonly Amnon is dead.
V. 36. very sore] Hebr. with a great weeping greatly.
V. 37. Talmai] Who was his mothers father. See Chap. 3. 3.
Ammihud] Or, Ammihur.
every day] To wit, for the space of three yeers, v. 38.
V. 39. louged] Or, was consumed. See Psal. 84. 2. and 119. 81. Job 19. 27.
to go forth] That is, so much desired to have him come back, that he could willingly have gone for him himself, or met him in the way. Others, That he could have found in his heart to send out some to fetch him home.
comforted] That is, had ceased his mourning for Amnons death.
seeing] And his mourning could not fetch him again, Chap. 12. 23.