In brief
Amnon is the eldest son of King David, born in Hebron to Ahinoam of Jezreel. Obsessed with his half-sister Tamar, he follows the cunning advice of his friend Jonadab, feigns illness, lures Tamar to his house and rapes her despite her pleas, then rejects her with contempt. Two years later Absalom, Tamar's brother, has him killed at a feast. He is remembered as a tragic example of a lust that nothing stopped.
What does the name Amnon mean?
The name Amnon is generally linked to a Hebrew root related to faithfulness and trust, and is often translated "faithful". The Bible gives no explanation of this name. The contrast between this meaning and Amnon's conduct toward his sister is striking.
The story of Amnon
David's firstborn
2 Samuel 3:2Amnon is the first of the sons born to David during his reign in Hebron. His mother is Ahinoam of Jezreel. As the eldest son, he could hope to succeed his father one day. The account of 2 Samuel 13 later presents him as a king's son surrounded by servants and friends.
A passion that makes him ill
2 Samuel 13:1-4Amnon falls for Tamar, his half-sister, who is beautiful and a virgin. He is so tormented that he grows thinner every morning. His friend Jonadab, son of Shimeah and Amnon's cousin, notices and asks him why. Amnon answers that he loves Tamar, the sister of his brother Absalom. Instead of rebuking him, Jonadab encourages him.
The trap
2 Samuel 13:5-10On Jonadab's advice, Amnon lies down and pretends to be sick. He asks King David to send Tamar to make cakes in front of him. Once Tamar arrives, he refuses to eat, sends everyone out and asks her to bring the food into the bedroom. Everything is calculated to isolate her.
He refuses to listen
2 Samuel 13:11-14Amnon seizes Tamar. She begs him not to do this disgraceful thing and offers to speak to the king. The text says he would not listen to her; he overpowered her, violated her and lay with her. Amnon closed his heart to his sister's voice and to God's law.
From lust to hatred
2 Samuel 13:15-18Right afterward, Amnon feels toward Tamar a hatred stronger than the love he had felt. He orders her to leave, again refuses to listen to her protests and has his servant throw her out, bolting the door behind her. This reversal reveals that his feeling was nothing but selfish desire.
Killed by Absalom
2 Samuel 13:21-33David is very angry but does not punish him. Absalom hates him in silence. Two years later he invites the king's sons to the shearing of his sheep and orders his servants to strike Amnon down when wine has made him merry. Amnon is killed. Jonadab confirms to the king that this had been Absalom's resolve since the day of the crime.
What Amnon teaches us
- A lust fed instead of fought can lead to the worst acts.
- Bad counselors, even clever ones, push toward sin instead of turning people from it.
- Refusing to listen to another's voice and to God's voice hardens the heart.
- Sin left unjudged in a family often breeds further violence.
- True love seeks the good of the other; lust seeks only itself and ends in contempt.
Key verses
Amnon will not listen to Tamar and overpowers her. The text names his crime without detour, which shows that God does not cover up evil, even in a king's son.
Amnon's hatred exceeds his supposed love. This verse illustrates the difference between lust, which consumes and then discards, and true love.
Absalom has Amnon killed during the feast. Vengeance does not repair the wrong done to Tamar: it adds a murder to the rape and prolongs the misfortune of David's house.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Absalom kill Amnon?
Absalom had Amnon killed because he had raped his sister Tamar. Jonadab explains to the king that this had been Absalom's resolve since the day Amnon violated Tamar (2 Samuel 13:32). David had been angry without punishing Amnon, and Absalom took justice into his own hands.
What does the name Amnon mean?
Amnon is generally linked to a Hebrew root expressing faithfulness or trust, hence the common translation "faithful". The Bible does not explain this name. His conduct toward Tamar sadly contradicts what his name suggests.
Where can I find the story of Amnon in the Bible?
Amnon is presented as David's firstborn in 2 Samuel 3:2 and in 1 Chronicles 3:1. His crime against Tamar and his death at Absalom's orders are told in 2 Samuel 13. This chapter opens the series of tragedies that leads to Absalom's revolt.