BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Samuel› Chapter 13› Verse 2

2 Samuel 13:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 13:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her.
2 Samuel 13:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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 because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her.
3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4And he said unto him, Why, O son of the king, art thou thus 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 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 13:12 Samuel 13:3 →
← Full Chapter 13 2 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Amnon was so vexed, etc.] Distressed, straitened, and perplexed in his mind through unruly and unbridled lusts that raged in him: that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; as Antiochus son of Seleucus did for his mother in law Stratonice, who, to cure him of it, was delivered to him by his father f211: for she [was] a virgin; and so kept very recluse from the company of men, that he could not come at her; so Philo f212, speaking of the Jewish women, and particularly virgins, says, that they were shut up in their chambers, and through modesty shun the sight of men, even those of their own house; hence they are called twml[, from a word which signifies to hide; and Phocylides f213 the poet…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“for she was a virgin--Unmarried daughters were kept in close seclusion from the company of men; no strangers, nor even their relatives of the other sex, being permitted to see them without the presence of witnesses. Of course, Amnon must have seen Tamar, for he had conceived a violent passion for her, which, though forbidden by the law (Lev 18:11), yet with the sanction of Abraham's example (Gen 20:12), and the common practice in neighboring countries for princes to marry their half sisters, he seems not to have considered an improper connection. But he had no means of making it known to her, and the pain of that disappointment preying upon his mind produced a visible change in his…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A virgin - And therefore diligently kept, so he could not get private converse with her. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:2 obsessed . . . ill: As the story reveals, Amnon’s “love” (13:4) for Tamar was a sickly erotic obsession. • She was a virgin: Amnon’s fixation deepened because Tamar was sexually untouched. • thought he could never have her: The law prohibited marriage between brother and sister (Lev 18:9, 11; 20:17; Deut 27:22). But Amnon did not want to marry Tamar; he only wanted to have sex with her.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“vexed: Kg1 21:4; Sol 5:8; Co2 7:10 Amnon: etc. Heb. it was marvellous, or hidden, in the eyes of Amnon 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:3”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification