Amnon

1. The eldest son of King David, born in Hebron. His mother was Ahinoam the Jezreelitess (II Sam 3:2). Lusting after his half-sister Tamar, who was very beautiful, he lured her to his quarters by feigning illness and requesting her to prepare his food; he then raped her and cast her out (II Sam 13:1-14). When King David heard of this he was very angry but did not punish his son. However, Tamar's brother Absalom, enraged by Amnon's treatment of his sister, swore to avenge her (II Sam 13:15-22). Two years later Absalom invited Amnon and all the other royal princes to a sheepshearing celebration at his estate at Baal Hazor. When Amnon's heart was merry with wine Absalom ordered his men to kill him (II Sam 13:23-33) and he then fled to Talmai, the son of the king of Geshur (II Sam 13:34-38).

2. Listed among the remote descendants of Judah. He was one of the sons of Shimon, together with Rinnah, Ben-Hanan and Tilon (I Chr 4:1, 20).

Concordance
AMNON 1: II Sam 3:2; 13:1-4, 6-10,15, 20, 22, 26-29, 32-33, 39. I Chr 3:1
AMNON 2: I Chr 4:20

For the moshav in northern Israel, see Amnun.

The Banquet of Absalom attributed to Bernardo Cavallino.

According to the Bible, Amnon (Hebrew: אַמְנוֹן‎, "faithful") was the oldest son of David, King of Israel, with his wife, Ahinoam, who is described as "the Jezreelitess". (1 Chronicles 3:1, 2 Samuel 3:2)

Rape of Tamar

Although he was the heir-apparent to David's throne, Amnon is best remembered for the rape of his half-sister Tamar, daughter of David with Maachah.

Despite the biblical prohibition to sexual relations between half-brothers and sisters, (Leviticus 18:11) Amnon had an overwhelming desire for her. He took advice from his cousin, Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, to lure Tamar into his quarters by pretending to be sick and desiring her to cook a special meal for him. While in his quarters, and ignoring her protests, he raped her.

Two years later, to avenge his sister, Absalom, Amnon's half-brother and Tamar's full brother, sent his servants to kill Amnon at a feast to which he had invited all the king's sons. (2 Samuel 13)

Books

• The Rape of Tamar, novel by Dan Jacobson (ISBN 1-84232-139-0)

External links

• A Christian commentary on the incident and its aftermath

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