1 David had a son named Absalom. Absalom’s sister was named
Tamar. Tamar was very beautiful. Another one of David’s sons,
Amnon, 2 was in love with Tamar. Tamar was a virgin. Amnon did
not think he should do anything bad to her. But Amnon wanted her
very much. Amnon thought about her so much that he made himself
sick. 3 Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah.
(Shimeah was David’s brother.) Jonadab was a very clever man. 4
Jonadab said to Amnon, “Every day you look thinner and thinner!
You are the king’s son! ˻You have plenty to eat, so why are you
losing weight?˼ Tell me!” Amnon told Jonadab, “I love Tamar. But
she is the sister of my half-brother Absalom.” 5 Jonadab said to
Amnon, “Go to bed. Act like you are sick. Then your father will
come to see you. Tell him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come in
and give me food to eat. Let her make the food in front of me.
Then I will see it, and eat it from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay
down in bed and acted like he was sick. King David came in to
see Amnon. Amnon