2 Samuel 13:12

“And she answered him, nay, my brother, etc.] Which carried in it a reason sufficient for her denial, that he was her brother, and she his sister, and therefore should not offer such an indignity to her: do not force me; which was another forbidding expression, signifying she would never freely yield to his will; and to force her, to defile her against her will, to commit a rape upon her, would be very criminal indeed: for no such thing ought to be done in Israel; among God’s professing people, who were better taught and instructed; and to give into such impure practices would bring a dishonour upon them, and upon the religion they professed; she urges the honour of religion, and the…”

“do not force me--The remonstrances and arguments of Tamar were so affecting and so strong, that had not Amnon been violently goaded on by the lustful passion of which he had become the slave, they must have prevailed with him to desist from his infamous purpose. In bidding him, however, "speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from thee," it is probable that she urged this as her last resource, saying anything she thought would please him, in order to escape for the present out of his hands.”

“Tamar’s words are a verbal quotation from Genesis 34:7. The natural inference is that Tamar knew the passage in Genesis, and wished to profit by the warning that it contained. (Compare also 2 Samuel 13:13.) return to 'Top of Page'”

“Brother - Whom nature both teaches to abhor such thoughts and obliges to defend me from such a mischief with thy utmost hazard, if another should attempt it. Force - Thou shouldst abhor it, if I were willing; but to add violence, is abominable. Israel - Among God's people who are taught better things; who also will be infinitely reproached for such a base action. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:13”

“13:12 wicked things: The Hebrew word nebalah (“outrage,” “deplorable act”) often describes sexual crimes such as rape and adultery (Gen 34:7; Deut 22:21; Judg 20:6, 10; Jer 29:23) that the perpetrator must pay for with his life. • in Israel: The addition of this phrase either indicates indignation that the crime happened among Israelites or characterizes the act as a violation of Israelite standards of sexual morality.”

“force me: Heb. humble me, Gen 34:2; Deu 22:29 no such thing ought: Heb. it ought not so, Lev 18:9, Lev 18:11, Lev 20:17 folly: Gen 34:7; Jdg 19:23, Jdg 20:6; Pro 5:22, Pro 5:23, Pro 7:7 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:13”