Shmuel II Perek 13

Note #1: There are many details and subtleties in this perek that are meant to be understood with the utmost sensitivity of our listeners and with the help of Chazal. The story of Amnon and Tamar needs to be understood through the “eyes of Chazal”. It is beyond the scope of this shiur to delve into the many fine details that need to be understood.

Note #2: Dovid was the Biological Father of all 3 (Amnon, Tamar and Avshalom.) Tamar and Avshalom had the same Mother, Maacha. Tamar was born from Maacha before Maacha had converted and therefore Tamar was not born Jewish, and converted at a later time. Avshalom was born after Maacha converted. Amnon was born from a different mother.

This important because although they were all biologically related to each other, in a Halachic sense they were not.

• Amnon lusted for Tamar.

• Yonadov (Amnon’s cousin) helped Amnon devise a plan on how to have relations with Tamar.

• Amnon was to fake sickness and request from his father Dovid that Tamar should prepare food for him and feed him by his bedside until he’d feel better.

• Dovid consented.

• When Amnon was alone with Tamar, Amon violated her.

• Tamar had pleaded with Amon to not disgrace and shame her, but rather wait to legally marry her. However, Amnon refused.

• Amnon then sent Tamar away.

• Amnon began to despise and resent Tamar.

• Tamar told Avshalom what had happened and Avshalom calmed Tamar down.

• Avshalom hated Amnon and no longer spoke to him.

• 2 years later Avshalom devised a plan to kill Amnon.

• Avshalom ordered his servants to kill Amnon when Amnon was drunk at Avshalom’s sheep- shearing party.

• The order was carried out and Amnon was killed.

• The misinformation that his entire family had been killed was initially fed to Dovid. It was then clarified that only Amnon had been killed.

• All of Dovid’s children wept.

• Avshalom did not return home and went to Geshur.