2 Samuel 13:17

KJV

Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this [woman] out from me, and bolt the door after her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then he called {H7121} his servant {H5288} that ministered {H8334} unto him, and said {H559}, Put {H7971} now this woman out {H2351} from me, and bolt {H5274} the door {H1817} after {H310} her.

Complete Jewish Bible

he called his personal servant and said, "Get rid of this woman for me! Throw her out, and lock the door after her!"

Berean Standard Bible

Instead, he called to his attendant and said, “Throw this woman out and bolt the door behind her!”

American Standard Version

Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 13:17 records the chilling and callous command of Amnon, King David's son, immediately following his brutal rape of his half-sister Tamar. Having satisfied his lust, Amnon's intense desire for Tamar instantly morphed into an equally intense hatred, culminating in his order to his servant to forcibly expel her from his presence and to secure the door behind her. This verse starkly reveals the profound cruelty, dehumanization, and utter contempt Amnon harbored for his victim, marking a pivotal moment of disgrace and rejection that sets in motion a tragic chain of events within David's royal household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the immediate and horrifying aftermath of Amnon's sexual assault on Tamar, detailed in [2 Samuel 13:1-16](/2_samuel/13-1-16 "2 Samuel 13:1-16 - Amnon's Plot and Rape of Tamar"). The preceding verses meticulously describe Amnon's feigned illness, his deceptive ploy to lure Tamar to his private chambers, and her desperate, reasoned pleas for him to reconsider and seek a lawful marriage. Despite her eloquent arguments and appeals to royal honor, Amnon, driven by unchecked lust, overpowered her. The transition from intense desire to intense hatred, as described in [2 Samuel 13:15](/2_samuel/13-15 "2 Samuel 13:15 - Amnon's Hatred After the Rape"), directly precedes and informs Amnon's command in verse 17. This sudden shift underscores the predatory nature of his act, revealing it as an exercise of power and degradation rather than an expression of affection. His subsequent command to "Put now this [woman] out from me, and bolt the door after her" is the physical manifestation of this newfound contempt, designed to erase the victim and the evidence of his crime from his sight, further compounding Tamar's trauma.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold within the royal court of King David in Jerusalem, a patriarchal society where women, especially those without strong male protectors, were highly vulnerable. Royal princes, like Amnon, often wielded significant, almost unchecked, power, and their actions could have far-reaching consequences. The concept of "honor" and "shame" was paramount; sexual violation brought immense shame upon the victim and her family, often leading to social ostracization. A woman's virginity was highly valued, and its loss outside of marriage, particularly through rape, could ruin her prospects and status. Amnon's act was not merely a personal transgression but a profound offense against the royal family's honor and a violation of deeply held societal norms and divine law. His command to expel Tamar and bolt the door publicly shamed her, sealing her disgrace and denying her any recourse or protection within the very household that should have offered it.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David") and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the **devastating consequences of unchecked sin and moral failure**, particularly within leadership. Amnon's act of violence and subsequent cruelty sets in motion a tragic chain of events that unravels David's family, leading to Absalom's vengeful murder of Amnon in [2 Samuel 13:28-29](/2_samuel/13-28 "2 Samuel 13:28-29 - Absalom's Revenge on Amnon") and ultimately contributing to Absalom's rebellion against his father, David, as seen in [2 Samuel 15:10](/2_samuel/15-10 "2 Samuel 15:10 - Absalom's Rebellion"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **abuse of power**, demonstrating how a position of authority can be brutally exploited for personal gratification and then to discard the victim. Amnon's princely status allowed him to commit the crime and then to enforce Tamar's expulsion, revealing the dangerous potential of unchecked power and the vulnerability of those without it. Finally, the verse profoundly illustrates the theme of **dehumanization and extreme cruelty**, where a person is reduced to an object to be used and then discarded, stripped of dignity and identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"this [woman]" (Hebrew, _hazzot'_):** This demonstrative pronoun, often translated as "this one" or "this woman," is profoundly dehumanizing in this context. Amnon refuses to use Tamar's name, stripping her of her identity, her relationship to him as his half-sister, and her status as a princess. By reducing her to an anonymous "this woman," he attempts to objectify her and distance himself from the heinous act, effectively erasing her personhood and the familial bond he so grievously violated. It is a verbal act of contempt that mirrors his physical assault.
* **"Put now... out" (Hebrew, שִׁלְחֶהָ הַחוּצָה, _shilcheha hachutzah'_):** The verb "שָׁלַח" (shalach) means "to send, to send away, to dismiss." When combined with "הַחוּצָה" (hachutzah), "outside," it conveys a forceful, humiliating expulsion. This is not a gentle escort but a command for immediate, unceremonious removal. It signifies a complete rejection and a desire to rid his presence of her, as if she were a piece of refuse, further compounding the trauma of the rape with public disgrace.
* **"bolt the door after her" (Hebrew, וְנָעַלְתָּ הַדֶּלֶת אַחֲרֶיהָ, _venaalta haddeleth achareha'_):** The verb "נָעַל" (na'al) means "to lock, to bolt." This instruction emphasizes the finality and irrevocability of Tamar's expulsion. It's not just about getting her out, but about ensuring she cannot return, cannot seek justice, and cannot confront him. It seals off his chamber, and symbolically, his conscience, from the reality of his crime and its victim. This act of bolting the door is a chilling symbol of Amnon's desire to seal off his guilt and to trap Tamar in her shame and isolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said,"**: This opening clause highlights Amnon's deliberate and authoritative action. He is not acting in a fit of passion, but with cold, calculated intent. Calling his personal servant underscores his princely authority and the expectation of immediate obedience, further emphasizing the abuse of his power.
* **"Put now this [woman] out from me,"**: This is the core command, revealing Amnon's profound shift from lust to loathing. The phrase "this [woman]" is a stark act of dehumanization, stripping Tamar of her name, identity, and familial relationship. The command for her expulsion signifies his desire to erase her from his sight and, by extension, to erase the evidence of his crime and the guilt associated with it. It is an act of ultimate rejection and public shaming.
* **"and bolt the door after her."**: This final clause underscores the absolute finality and cruelty of Amnon's rejection. Bolting the door symbolizes his desire to seal off his chamber, his conscience, and his life from any further interaction or accountability concerning Tamar and his heinous act. It leaves Tamar utterly abandoned, disgraced, and without recourse, trapped outside in her shame and despair.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of Amnon's depravity and Tamar's suffering. **Irony** is starkly present in the immediate reversal of Amnon's "love" for Tamar into intense hatred, highlighting the superficial and destructive nature of his lust. This is not love, but a self-serving desire that, once satiated, finds its object repugnant. **Dehumanization** is a central theme, powerfully conveyed by Amnon's refusal to name Tamar, referring to her only as "this [woman]," effectively reducing her to an object to be used and discarded. The act of "bolting the door" serves as potent **symbolism**, representing not only the physical closure of Amnon's chamber but also the emotional and relational closure he forces upon Tamar, sealing her fate in disgrace and isolation. Furthermore, this verse acts as a grim **foreshadowing** of the escalating tragedy within David's house, hinting at the future revenge of Absalom and the subsequent unraveling of the kingdom, demonstrating how unaddressed sin can fester and lead to catastrophic consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a chilling testament to the destructive power of unchecked lust and the profound injustice of sexual violence, themes that reverberate throughout Scripture. Amnon's actions are a stark reminder of humanity's capacity for depravity when self-control and respect for others are abandoned, leading to the dehumanization of the victim and the desecration of familial bonds. The immediate transition from "love" to hatred after the act underscores that Amnon's "love" was never genuine affection but a predatory desire for gratification, a perversion of God's design for intimacy. The narrative implicitly critiques the failure of justice within David's household, as David's inaction following this atrocity (cf. [2 Samuel 13:21](/2_samuel/13-21 "2 Samuel 13:21 - David's Anger But Inaction")) allowed the seeds of further conflict and tragedy to germinate. This highlights the biblical principle that justice, particularly for the vulnerable, is a divine imperative, and its neglect can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and even nations.

* [Deuteronomy 22:25-27](/deuteronomy/22-25-27 "Deuteronomy 22:25-27 - Laws Regarding Rape")
* [Proverbs 6:27-29](/proverbs/6-27-29 "Proverbs 6:27-29 - Consequences of Adultery and Sexual Sin")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "James 1:14-15 - The Progression of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The raw brutality of 2 Samuel 13:17 forces us to confront the horrific realities of sexual violence and the profound injustice faced by victims. Amnon's callousness, his immediate shift from lust to hatred, and his subsequent dehumanization of Tamar serve as a stark warning about the destructive nature of sin, particularly when it is driven by selfish desire and unchecked power. For us today, this passage compels us to cultivate deep empathy for those who have experienced trauma and to actively champion justice for the vulnerable. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any inclination towards objectification or disregard for others' dignity. Furthermore, it highlights the critical importance of accountability for perpetrators and the need for communities, especially those in positions of authority, to respond decisively to injustice, rather than allowing it to fester and cause further harm. The narrative reminds us that silence and inaction in the face of evil can be as damaging as the evil itself, leading to cycles of pain and brokenness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Amnon's immediate shift from "love" to hatred after the rape illuminate the true nature of his sin?**
* **In what ways does Amnon's command to "Put now this [woman] out from me, and bolt the door after her" reflect a profound act of dehumanization?**
* **What responsibilities do individuals and communities have to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice, especially in light of David's initial inaction?**
* **How does this passage challenge us to confront and address the systemic issues of abuse of power and sexual violence in our own contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why did Amnon's desire turn to hatred so quickly after the rape?**

Answer: The text in [2 Samuel 13:15](/2_samuel/13-15 "2 Samuel 13:15 - Amnon's Hatred After the Rape") explicitly states, "Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her." This swift and intense reversal is a common psychological phenomenon in cases of sexual violence, where the perpetrator's "desire" is not genuine affection but a self-serving, predatory lust. Once the lust is satisfied, the victim becomes a reminder of the transgression, often evoking feelings of shame, guilt, or even disgust in the perpetrator, which are then projected onto the victim as hatred. It underscores that Amnon's act was about power and gratification, not love or relationship, and that the "love" he felt was a perversion, quickly replaced by contempt for the object of his sin.

**What does "bolt the door after her" signify?**

Answer: The command to "bolt the door after her" is deeply symbolic and carries multiple layers of meaning. Firstly, it signifies the **finality of Tamar's rejection** and Amnon's desire to completely sever ties with her and the act he committed. He wanted to ensure she could not return, seek justice, or confront him. Secondly, it represents Amnon's attempt to **seal off his guilt and conscience** from the reality of his crime, as if locking the door could lock away the memory and consequences. Thirdly, from Tamar's perspective, it signifies her **utter abandonment and isolation**, leaving her outside, disgraced and without recourse, trapped in her shame. It is a chilling act of cruelty that compounds the physical violence with profound emotional and social devastation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of 2 Samuel 13:17, with its raw depiction of dehumanization, rejection, and the devastating consequences of sin, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Where Amnon callously expelled and locked out Tamar, reducing her to "this [woman]," Jesus consistently welcomed the outcast, the marginalized, and those who were shamed and broken by sin and injustice. The Gospels are replete with instances of Jesus extending compassion to the vulnerable, healing the afflicted, and restoring dignity to those society had cast aside, embodying the very opposite of Amnon's cruelty (e.g., [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "Luke 7:36-50 - Jesus and the Sinful Woman"), [John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman")). Furthermore, while Amnon's sin brought division and destruction to David's house, Jesus came to break down the dividing walls of hostility and reconcile humanity to God and to one another through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the full weight of human depravity, including acts of violence and injustice, so that those who are broken might find healing, forgiveness, and new life in Him ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant")). In Christ, there is no "bolting the door" against the repentant or the wounded; instead, He offers an open door to grace, restoration, and true justice ([Revelation 3:20](/revelation/3-20 "Revelation 3:20 - Jesus Stands at the Door")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.