Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 13
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Samuel 13
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Samuel 13
"And 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." — 2 Samuel 13:1 (ASV)
The history here, down to the end of 2 Samuel 23 (excepting a few particulars), is omitted in the Book of Chronicles.
"But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man." — 2 Samuel 13:3 (ASV)
Shimeah - Called Shamma (marginal reference), was Jesse’s third son.
Subtle - Literally, wise. The word is generally used in a good sense, but here, and in Job 5:13, it means crafty.
"And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and feign thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, Let my sister Tamar come, I pray thee, and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand." — 2 Samuel 13:5 (ASV)
Make yourself sick - “Pretend you are ill.” (Compare 2 Samuel 14:2.)
That I may see it - He was to pretend that he had no appetite for anything that came from the kitchen, but that if he saw it cooked, he would be able to eat it.
"So Amnon lay down, and feigned himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, Let her sister Tamar come, I pray thee, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon`s house, and dress him food. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon`s house; and he was laid down. And she took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. And she took the 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." — 2 Samuel 13:6-9 (ASV)
Make me cakes ... a pan - The words used here occur nowhere else, and their etymology is doubtful. A particular kind of cake or pudding is meant (2 Samuel 13:8), called a לביבה lābı̂ybâh. According to some, based on its etymology, it was shaped like a heart.
The dish into which she poured the lābı̂ybâh was undoubtedly carried to him by a servant into the chamber where he was lying. From that room, with the doors open, he could see into the outer room where Tamar prepared the food.
"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." — 2 Samuel 13:12 (ASV)
Tamar’s words are a verbal quotation from Genesis 34:7. The natural inference is that Tamar knew this passage in Genesis and wished to profit from the warning it contained. (Compare to 2 Samuel 13:13.)
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