King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 13:6 Mean?

2 Samuel 13:6 in the King James Version says “So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, ...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.”

2 Samuel 13:6 · King James Version

Prayer

Context

4

And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. lean: Heb. thin from day: Heb. morning by morning

5

And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6

So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.

8

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. flour: or, paste

Read 2 Samuel 13 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב1 of 20

“lay down”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אַמְנ֤וֹן2 of 20

“So Amnon”

H550

amnon (or aminon), a son of david

וַיִּתְחָ֑ל3 of 20

“and made himself sick”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

תָּֽבוֹא4 of 20

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙5 of 20

“and when the king”

H4428

a king

לִרְאוֹת֗וֹ6 of 20

“to see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר7 of 20

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַמְנ֤וֹן8 of 20

“So Amnon”

H550

amnon (or aminon), a son of david

אֶל9 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙10 of 20

“and when the king”

H4428

a king

תָּֽבוֹא11 of 20

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נָ֞א12 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

תָּמָ֣ר13 of 20

“I pray thee let Tamar”

H8559

tamar, the name of three women and a place

אֲחֹתִ֗י14 of 20

“my sister”

H269

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

וּתְלַבֵּ֤ב15 of 20

“and make”

H3823

(as denominative from h3834) to make cakes

לְעֵינַי֙16 of 20

“in my sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

שְׁתֵּ֣י17 of 20

“me a couple”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לְבִב֔וֹת18 of 20

“of cakes”

H3834

a cake (either as fried or turned)

וְאֶבְרֶ֖ה19 of 20

“that I may eat”

H1262

to select; to feed; to render clear

מִיָּדָֽהּ׃20 of 20

“at her hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 13:6 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 13:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 18:6Matthew 13:33

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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