2 Samuel 13:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Amnon {H550} was so vexed {H3334}, that he fell sick {H2470} for his sister {H269} Tamar {H8559}; for she was a virgin {H1330}; and Amnon {H550} thought {H5869} it hard {H6381} for him to do {H6213} any thing {H3972} to her.

Complete Jewish Bible

Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he became ill, for she was a virgin, and Amnon thought it would be impossible to approach her.

Berean Standard Bible

Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.

American Standard Version

And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amnon's intense, destructive desire for Tamar, his half-sister, consumes him to the point of physical illness. This verse chillingly reveals the depth of his illicit longing for a virgin, highlighting the moral depravity that sets the stage for a tragic act of sexual violence and its devastating repercussions within King David's royal family, fulfilling earlier divine warnings and exposing the corrosive nature of unchecked lust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a tragic sequence of events in David's household, serving as a direct and grim fulfillment of the prophet Nathan's curse upon David after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (as foretold in [2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword in David's House")). Following the introduction of Amnon's illicit desire for Tamar in [2 Samuel 13:1](/2_samuel/13-1 "2 Samuel 13:1 - Amnon's Love for Tamar"), this verse intensifies the drama, revealing the obsessive and physically debilitating nature of his lust. It is the pivotal moment that transitions from mere desire to a determined, albeit difficult, pursuit of his wicked aim, setting the stage for the horrific act of sexual violence that follows and the subsequent family vendetta culminating in Absalom's rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the royal family was not immune to the social and legal strictures of the time, though their power often allowed for abuses. Incestuous relationships, particularly between half-siblings, were strictly forbidden under Mosaic Law, as detailed in [Leviticus 18:9](/leviticus/18-9 "Leviticus 18:9 - Prohibitions Against Incest"). A woman's virginity was highly valued, representing her purity and eligibility for marriage, and her sexual honor was closely tied to her family's reputation. The violation of a virgin was a grave offense, often punishable by death or forced marriage with a substantial bride-price. Amnon's status as the firstborn son of David (and thus heir apparent) makes his transgression particularly egregious, as it not only defiles Tamar but also undermines the moral authority and stability of the monarchy, demonstrating a profound disregard for both divine law and familial bonds.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel "2 Samuel - The Reign of King David"). Firstly, it starkly illustrates the **destructive power of unchecked lust and sin**, showing how a desire, when allowed to fester without moral restraint, can consume an individual to the point of physical and mental torment, leading to heinous acts. Secondly, it highlights the **vulnerability of the innocent** (represented by Tamar's virginity) in the face of predatory evil, underscoring the tragic consequences for victims of such transgressions. Lastly, it serves as a chilling example of the **ripple effect of sin and its generational consequences**, directly fulfilling Nathan's prophecy that "the sword shall never depart from [David's] house" ([2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - Nathan's Prophecy of the Sword in David's House")). Amnon's actions are not isolated but contribute to the unraveling of David's family, demonstrating how personal moral failures can sow discord and violence within a household and, by extension, a nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vexed (Hebrew, _ḥārāh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be hot," "to burn," or "to be inflamed." In this context, it describes Amnon's intense emotional and psychological torment, a burning frustration or anguish caused by his unfulfilled and illicit desire for Tamar. It signifies a profound internal disturbance that has manifested physically, leading to sickness. This is not mere annoyance but a consuming, feverish obsession.
* **Virgin (Hebrew, _bĕtûlâ'_):** This term explicitly denotes Tamar's untouched sexual status, emphasizing her purity, innocence, and vulnerability. In ancient Israel, a virgin was under the protection of her father and was expected to remain chaste until marriage. This detail underscores the heinous nature of Amnon's intent, as he plots to violate not only a family member but also a woman whose sexual integrity was divinely protected and culturally revered. Her status makes his contemplated act a profound defilement.
* **Hard (Hebrew, _pālā’'_):** Meaning "to be difficult," "extraordinary," or "wonderful." Here, it conveys the extreme difficulty or impossibility of Amnon's achieving his desire for Tamar through any legitimate or honorable means. Given her status as his half-sister and a virgin, any sexual approach would be incestuous and unlawful. This "hardness" forces him to contemplate deception and violence, revealing the depth of his moral corruption rather than any genuine moral struggle or restraint.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar;":** This clause immediately establishes the depth of Amnon's obsession. The term "vexed" (Hebrew _ḥārāh_) suggests a burning, intense emotional distress, bordering on anguish, caused by his unfulfilled desire. This internal torment is so severe that it manifests physically, causing him to "fall sick." This psychosomatic reaction underscores the consuming nature of his lust, indicating a mind and body utterly dominated by an illicit craving for his half-sister, Tamar. It is a powerful illustration of how sin, when allowed to fester, can corrupt one's entire being.
* **"for she [was] a virgin;":** This parenthetical clause provides the crucial context for Amnon's "vexation" and the "hardness" of his situation. Tamar's virginity signifies her purity, innocence, and protected status within Israelite society. It highlights the profound moral and legal barrier to Amnon's desire. Her untouched state makes his lust not just incestuous but also a premeditated act of defilement against an innocent and vulnerable individual, intensifying the wickedness of his intentions and foreshadowing the gravity of his impending crime.
* **"and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.":** This final clause reveals Amnon's dilemma. The "hardness" (Hebrew _pālā’_) is not a moral qualm but a practical impossibility of fulfilling his desire honorably or legitimately. He recognizes that, given Tamar's status as his half-sister and a virgin, he cannot simply "do anything to her" in an acceptable manner (e.g., marry her, or even approach her without violating severe social and religious taboos). This realization does not lead him to abandon his desire but rather to seek a cunning and deceitful means to achieve it, exposing the corrupt and unyielding nature of his heart.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its unsettling message. The description of Amnon being "so vexed, that he fell sick" is a form of **hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme, consuming nature of his illicit desire. While perhaps not literally bedridden for days, the language vividly portrays his internal torment and obsession, demonstrating how deeply his lust has taken root and corrupted him. There is a subtle **irony** in Amnon's "sickness"; his physical ailment is a direct result of his moral sickness, a perverse manifestation of his spiritual disease. Furthermore, the phrase "Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her" is a chilling example of **foreshadowing**. It hints at the extreme measures he will resort to, indicating that his "difficulty" is not a deterrent but a catalyst for deception and violence, setting the grim stage for the tragic events of the chapter. The explicit mention of Tamar's status as a "virgin" also serves as a poignant **symbolism** of her innocence and vulnerability, intensifying the horror of what is to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 13:2 serves as a stark theological warning about the insidious nature of unbridled desire. It demonstrates that sin, particularly lust, when entertained and allowed to fester, can consume an individual's entire being, leading to physical and psychological distress before culminating in destructive actions. This verse underscores the principle that sin has consequences, not only for the perpetrator but also for the innocent, and that these consequences can ripple through families and generations. It highlights the moral decay that can occur even within a divinely chosen lineage, revealing the persistent human struggle with temptation and the urgent need for self-control and moral discernment. The narrative here is a somber reminder that internal battles against sin, if lost, inevitably lead to external devastation.

* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14 "James 1:14-15 - The Progression of Sin")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amnon's internal torment and subsequent actions in 2 Samuel 13:2 offer a sobering mirror for contemporary believers. His "sickness" for Tamar illustrates the profound, holistic impact of unaddressed sin; it doesn't merely affect our spirit but can manifest in our minds and bodies, consuming our thoughts and leading to a distorted reality. This verse challenges us to recognize the subtle beginnings of temptation and to confront illicit desires before they take root and become obsessive. It calls for radical self-examination and the cultivation of spiritual disciplines that enable us to "take every thought captive to obey Christ" ([2 Corinthians 10:5](/2_corinthians/10-5 "2 Corinthians 10:5 - Taking Thoughts Captive")). The narrative serves as a powerful reminder that true freedom and peace come not from indulging every impulse, but from submitting our desires to God's will, seeking purity of heart, and protecting the vulnerable in our midst.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might unaddressed desires or temptations be festering, potentially leading to spiritual or even physical "sickness"?**
* **How does Amnon's inability to "do anything to her" honorably resonate with situations where I might be tempted to compromise my integrity to achieve a desired outcome?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater self-control and guard my heart against the deceptive power of sin, as encouraged in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")?**

### FAQ
**What does Amnon's "sickness" for Tamar signify?**

Answer: Amnon's "sickness" is a psychosomatic manifestation of his intense, unfulfilled, and illicit desire for his half-sister Tamar. It signifies the consuming nature of his lust, indicating that his mind and body were so overwhelmed by this sinful craving that it caused him physical distress. This highlights how deeply sin can affect an individual's entire being, leading to a profound internal torment that expresses itself externally. It's not a moral sickness in the sense of guilt, but rather a physical symptom of an obsessive and perverse longing.

**Why was it "hard for him to do any thing to her"?**

Answer: It was "hard" for Amnon because Tamar was his half-sister and a virgin, making any legitimate or honorable approach impossible. Incestuous relationships were strictly forbidden under Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:9](/leviticus/18-9 "Leviticus 18:9 - Prohibitions Against Incest")), and violating a virgin was a grave offense. This "hardness" was not a moral barrier for Amnon, preventing him from acting, but rather a practical one, forcing him to resort to deception and violence to achieve his wicked aim, revealing the depth of his corrupt heart rather than any moral restraint.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 13:2 vividly portrays the devastating consequences of unbridled human sin and the brokenness of David's royal line, it also implicitly points to the necessity of a greater King and a perfect High Priest. Amnon's inability to control his lust, leading to violence and familial strife, stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied self-control and purity. Unlike Amnon, who succumbed to his desires, Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). The tragic defilement of Tamar underscores the need for a Savior who could truly cleanse and restore, not just outwardly, but from the depths of the heart, as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust of the Heart")). Furthermore, the brokenness of David's family, a consequence of sin, highlights the ultimate need for God's redemptive plan, culminating in the perfect Son of David, Jesus, who establishes a kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), where true justice, purity, and peace reign, offering healing and forgiveness where human sin has wrought only destruction. He is the one who empowers believers to overcome the very lusts that consumed Amnon, offering a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

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.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

1 Kings 21:4

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Song Of Solomon 5:8

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I [am] sick of love.