1 O príncipe Absalão, filho de David, tinha uma irmã muito bonita chamada Tamar. E o príncipe Amnom, que era meio-irmão dela, apaixonou-se perdidamente pela rapariga. 2 Amnom estava tão enamorado que ficou doente. E não tinha maneira de lhe falar, pois os rapazes e as meninas eram mantidos separados.

3 Amnom tinha um amigo muito esperto, o seu primo Jonadabe, filho de um irmão de David chamado Simeia. 4 Um dia, Jonadabe perguntou a Amnom: "O que é que se passa contigo? Porque é que o filho de um rei há de andar definhando de dia para dia?" Respondeu-lhe: "Estou apaixonado por Tamar, minha meia-irmã."

5 "Pois bem, vou dizer-te o que hás de fazer. Vai para a cama e finge que estás muito doente. Quando o teu pai vier ver-te, pede-lhe que Tamar venha preparar-te alguma comida; diz-lhe que te sentirás melhor se ela te vier trazer o alimento."

6 Amnom assim fez. Quando o rei veio vê-lo, Amnom pediu-lhe, por favor, que a sua irmã Tamar fosse autorizada a preparar-lhe algum alimento para ele comer. 7 David concordou e mandou dizer a Tamar que fosse aos aposentos de Amnom preparar-lhe alguma coisa para comer.

8 Ela obedeceu e foi ao quarto dele; começou a amassar farinha e preparou-lhe um bolo especial. 9 Mas quando lho levou ele recusou comer: "Quero que toda a gente saia daqui", disse aos criados. E as pessoas saíram todas. 10 Depois disse a Tamar: "Traz-me tu a comida aqui à cama e então hei de comer." A moça assim fez. 11 Quando ela estava ali em frente dele, prendeu-a e pediu-lhe: "Vem, deita-te aqui comigo, minha irmã."

12 "Oh! Não, meu irmão!", gritou ela. "Não faças uma loucura dessas. Não me forces! Sabes bem o crime tremendo que isso seria em Israel. 13 Eu nem saberia onde esconder-me de vergonha! Tu serias considerado o maior louco da nação! Por favor, fala ao rei no assunto e ele certamente deixará que me case contigo."

14 Ele não quis ouvi-la e, como tinha mais força, violentou-a. 15 Logo a seguir a sua paixão tornou-se ódio e acabou por odiá-la ainda mais do que a tinha amado. "Sai daqui!", rosnou ele.

16 "Não! Rejeitares-me agora seria um crime ainda maior do que aquilo que me fizeste." Mas ele não lhe deu ouvidos. 17 Chamou por um criado e ordenou-lhe: "Tira esta rapariga daqui e fecha a porta atrás dela."

18 Assim a expulsou. Ela trazia vestida uma túnica até aos pés, às cores e com mangas, segundo o traje das princesas ainda virgens, naqueles dias. 19 Então rasgou a túnica, colocou cinza sobre si, cruzou as mãos na cabeça e foi andando e chorando.

20 Seu irmão Absalão veio ter com ela: "Então sempre é verdade que Amnom esteve contigo! Não te angusties, visto que tudo se passou em família. Não é caso para ficares assim!" E Tamar foi morar com o seu irmão Absalão como uma mulher solitária.

21 Ao ouvir o que acontecera, o rei David ficou extremamente irado. 22 Absalão não disse nada a Amnom, porque lhe tinha um ódio profundo pelo que fizera à irmã.

23 Dois anos mais tarde, quando as ovelhas de Absalão estavam a ser tosquiadas em Baal-Hazor em Efraim, Absalão convidou o pai e todos os irmãos para um banquete, a fim de festejarem a ocasião. 24 Foi ter com o rei e disse-lhe: "Chegou o tempo da tosquia do meu rebanho. Peço que o rei e os seus oficiais venham à festa deste seu servo."

25 O rei respondeu-lhe: "Não, meu rapaz. Se fôssemos todos, seria um encargo enorme para ti." Absalão insistiu, mas David não aceitou e mandou-lhe felicitações.

26 "Bom", disse Absalão, "já que não vens, manda em teu lugar o meu irmão Amnom." O rei perguntou: "Porquê Amnom?"

27 Absalão insistiu muito, até que o rei concordou e permitiu que todos os filhos lá fossem, incluindo Amnom. Absalão preparou um grande banquete como se fosse um rei.*13.27 Absalão preparou um grande banquete como se fosse um rei. Esta frase aparece na tradução grega (LXX) e na versão 4QSam, encontrada em Qumran.

28 Absalão avisou os seus homens: "Esperem até que Amnom esteja embriagado e quando eu der o sinal matem-no! Não tenham receio. Aqui sou eu quem dá as ordens e é isto que estou a ordenar-vos. Vamos em frente e nada de ter medo!" 29 Foi dessa maneira que mataram Amnom. Os outros príncipes, seus irmãos, montaram nas suas mulas e fugiram.

30 Vinham ainda a caminho de Jerusalém, quando chegou aos ouvidos de David o seguinte rumor: "Absalão matou todos os irmãos; nem um ficou em vida!" 31 O rei levantou-se, rasgou a roupa que tinha vestida e prostrou-se no chão. Os seus conselheiros rasgaram igualmente as roupas em sinal de amargura.

32 Nessa altura, chegou Jonadabe, sobrinho de David, filho de Simeia, que explicou: "Não morreram todos! Só Amnom foi morto! Absalão tinha isto preparado desde que Tamar fora violentada por Amnom. 33 Os teus filhos não foram todos mortos! Só foi Amnom."

34 Entretanto, Absalão fugiu. O guarda que estava de vigia na muralha de Jerusalém deu o aviso de que via gente a chegar, na direção da cidade, ao longo da estrada que corre junto da colina.

35 "Pronto", disse Jonadabe ao rei. "Aqui estão eles. Os teus filhos estão a chegar, tal como te disse." 36 Em breve os outros apareceram, a chorar e a lamentarem-se. O rei e os conselheiros também choraram com eles.

37-39 Absalão fugiu para junto do rei Talmai de Gesur, filho de Amiude, e ali ficou durante três anos. Entretanto, David já conformado com a morte de Amnom, andava cheio de saudades do seu filho Absalão.

1 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 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.*13.2 Amnon thought…: Heb. it was marvellous, or, hidden in the eyes of Amnon 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. 4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.*13.4 lean: Heb. thin*13.4 from day…: Heb. morning by morning 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat. 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.*13.8 flour: or, paste 9 And she took a 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. 10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 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.*13.12 force…: Heb. humble me*13.12 no such…: Heb. it ought not so to be done 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. 14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.*13.15 exceedingly: Heb. with great hatred greatly 16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. 17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. 18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. 20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.*13.20 Amnon: Heb. Aminon*13.20 regard…: Heb. set not thy heart*13.20 desolate: Heb. and desolate

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.*13.28 have…: or, will you not, since I have commanded you?*13.28 valiant: Heb. sons of valour 29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.*13.29 gat…: Heb. rode

30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left. 31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.*13.32 appointment: Heb. mouth*13.32 determined: or, settled 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. 34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him. 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.*13.35 as thy…: Heb. according to the word of thy servant 36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.*13.36 very…: Heb. with a great weeping greatly

37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.*13.37 Ammihud: or, Ammihur 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.*13.39 longed: or, was consumed