2 Samuel 13:12

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.

And she answered {H559} him, Nay, my brother {H251}, do not force {H6031} me; for no such thing ought {H3651} to be done {H6213} in Israel {H3478}: do {H6213} not thou this folly {H5039}.

"No, my brother," she answered him, "don't force me! Things like this aren't done in Isra'el; don't behave so disgracefully!

โ€œNo, my brother!โ€ she cried. โ€œDo not humiliate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing!

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.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of Amnon's rape of his half-sister Tamar, a dark chapter within King David's family. Amnon, David's eldest son, had feigned illness to lure Tamar to his chambers. Tamar's plea here is her desperate attempt to appeal to Amnon's moral sense and their familial bond, highlighting the grave transgression he is about to commit. This event directly contributes to the fulfillment of Nathan the prophet's prophecy regarding the sword never departing from David's house, a consequence of David's own sin with Bathsheba.

Key Themes

  • The Sanctity of Kinship and Sexual Purity: Tamar's words, "Nay, my brother, do not force me," emphasize the violation of familial trust and the sacred bond between siblings. Her protest echoes the strong prohibitions against incest and sexual immorality found in Israelite law, particularly in the Mosaic Law concerning forbidden sexual relations.
  • The Abhorrence of Folly and Wickedness: Tamar declares, "no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly." This highlights that Amnon's intended act is not merely a personal offense but a public disgrace and an affront to the moral and religious standards of the entire nation of Israel. Such acts were considered an abomination.
  • The Call for Justice and Righteousness: Her plea is also a desperate call for Amnon to choose righteousness over depravity. She even suggests an alternative, however unlikely, "speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee" (2 Samuel 13:13), revealing her willingness to consider any honorable path to avoid the impending horror, though her suggestion likely stemmed from desperation rather than a genuine belief that David would sanction such a union.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "folly" in the KJV is the Hebrew term nebalah (ื ึฐื‘ึธืœึธื”). This term signifies not just foolishness in intellect but a deep moral depravity, a shameful and outrageous act that goes against divine and human law. It implies a gross violation of community standards and often carries connotations of wickedness and disgrace. This same term is used in Genesis 34:7 regarding the rape of Dinah, underscoring the severity and public dishonor associated with such actions.

Practical Application

Tamar's desperate cry serves as a timeless reminder of the devastating impact of sin, particularly sexual violence and the abuse of power. It underscores the importance of:

  • Respecting Boundaries: The verse vividly portrays the violation of personal autonomy and the sacredness of the human body.
  • Upholding Moral Standards: Tamar's reference to "what ought to be done in Israel" reminds believers that God's people are called to a higher standard of conduct, reflecting His holiness in their relationships and actions.
  • The Consequences of Unchecked Desire: Amnon's actions, fueled by lust and selfishness, led to tragic consequences for himself, Tamar, and indeed the entire royal family, demonstrating how lust, when conceived, brings forth sin, and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

This commentary on 2 Samuel 13:12 highlights the enduring relevance of biblical narratives in understanding human nature, sin, and the call to righteousness.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 19:23 (5 votes)

    And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, [nay], I pray you, do not [so] wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.

  • Judges 20:6 (5 votes)

    And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.

  • Leviticus 20:17 (5 votes)

    And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it [is] a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

  • Genesis 34:7 (4 votes)

    And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard [it]: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

  • Leviticus 18:11 (3 votes)

    The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she [is] thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

  • Leviticus 18:9 (3 votes)

    The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, [whether she be] born at home, or born abroad, [even] their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.

  • Genesis 34:2 (2 votes)

    And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.