2 Samuel 13 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 13 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – The second king over all Israel and Judah.

• Amnon – David’s son by Ahinoam (2 Sam 3:2).

• Absalom – David’s son by Maacah (2 Sam 3:3).

• Tamar – David’s daughter by Maacah, and the sister of Absalom.

• Jonadab – The nephew of David. He is described as a “very crafty man.”

WHERE:

• David’s house was in Jerusalem.

• Absalom killed Amnon at Baal-hazor (near Ephraim).

• Absalom fled to Geshur (west of the Sea of Galilee) after killing his brother.

OUTLINE:

• AMNON, ABSALOM, AND TAMAR (13:1-22):

  • David had two sons, Amnon and Absalom, but they were half-brothers because their mothers were different.

  • David also had a daughter, Tamar, who was the full-sister of Absalom and the half-sister to Amnon.

  • Amnon loved Tamar and, together with his crafty friend Jonadab, he devised a plan to be with her.

  • Amnon pretended to be sick and asked David to send Tamar to him to prepare him some food.

  • When Amnon and Tamar were alone, Amnon forced Tamar to have sexual relations with him.

  • But after he slept with her, he resented her and dismissed her from his presence.

  • Tamar was greatly shamed and lived as a “desolate women.”

  • When Absalom learned about Amnon’s actions, he concealed his anger, but made plans to exact revenge on Amnon in the future.  

• ABSALOM KILLS AMNON (13:23-39):

  • Two years later, Absalom was sheering sheep at Baal-hazor, and he convinced David to send all his sons to join him in Baal-hazor.

  • Absalom told his servants to kill Amnon.

  • When an opportunity arose, Absalom’s servants obeyed his orders, and all of David’s other sons fled.

  • It was initially reported to David that all his sons had been killed by Absalom, but a later report from Jonadab clarified that only Amnon had been killed.

  • Absalom fled, went to Geshur, and remained there 3 years.

  • After he was comforted about Amnon, David longed to reconcile with Absalom.

APPLICATION:

• One of the most beautiful things about God is that He has made His intentions clear.

• He won’t surprise people with acts of revenge for things done in the past.

• He won’t be fake to you, speaking kindly to you when He actually hates you.

• God has made it clear that He will forgive the wrongs of His children (those who put their trust in Jesus).

• He is equally clear that His anger will be directed towards those who refuse to obey Him and refuse to come out of their sins.

• We don’t have to guess about how God feels about us.