King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 13:20 Mean?

2 Samuel 13:20 in the King James Version says “And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is t...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. Amnon: Heb. Aminon regard: Heb. set not thy heart desolate: Heb. and desolate”

2 Samuel 13:20 · KJV

Peace

Context

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. Amnon: Heb. Aminon regard: Heb. set not thy heart 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.

Read 2 Samuel 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Amnon and Tamar, emphasizing unresolved sin, family breakdown. Amnon's rape of Tamar and Absalom's revenge illustrate how unresolved sin metastasizes into family-wide dysfunction. David's failure to discipline Amnon (possibly from guilt over his own sexual sin) enabled further tragedy. Hebrew terminology emphasizes Tamar's desolation and Absalom's calculated hatred. The narrative demonstrates intergenerational sin consequences and the necessity of proper justice administration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 13 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding unresolved sin, family breakdown provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of unresolved sin, family breakdown?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 25

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֜יהָ2 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם3 of 25

“Absalom's”

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

אָחִֽיהָ׃4 of 25

“he is thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הַֽאֲמִינ֣וֹן5 of 25

“unto her Hath Amnon”

H550

amnon (or aminon), a son of david

אָחִֽיהָ׃6 of 25

“he is thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הָיָ֣ה7 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִמָּךְ֒8 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְעַתָּ֞ה9 of 25
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֲחוֹתִ֤י10 of 25

“my sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

הַֽחֲרִ֙ישִׁי֙11 of 25

“been with thee but hold now thy peace”

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

אָחִֽיהָ׃12 of 25

“he is thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

ה֔וּא13 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אַל14 of 25
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּשִׁ֥יתִי15 of 25

“regard”

H7896

to place (in a very wide application)

אֶת16 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לִבֵּ֖ךְ17 of 25
H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לַדָּבָ֣ר18 of 25

“not this thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֑ה19 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַתֵּ֤שֶׁב20 of 25

“remained”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תָּמָר֙21 of 25

“So Tamar”

H8559

tamar, the name of three women and a place

וְשֹׁ֣מֵמָ֔ה22 of 25
H8076

ruined

בֵּ֖ית23 of 25

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם24 of 25

“Absalom's”

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

אָחִֽיהָ׃25 of 25

“he is thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 13:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 13:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:19Proverbs 26:24Genesis 34:2Genesis 46:15

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