Chapter 13: Amnon and Tamar[1]

1.      Tamar the sister of Avshalom, and Amnon’s infatuation for her:

• Tamar: After the above events, Avshalom the son of Dovid had a beautiful sister by the name of Tamar [i.e. they shared both the same mother and father[2], the mother being Ma’achah who was the daughter of the kingdom of Gashure and was taken by Dovid during the war against the kingdom as a Yefas Toar. Dovid had relations with her prior to her converting and she became pregnant with Tamar from those relations. However, Avshalom, was born to her and Dovid after she already converted.[3]]
• Amnon becomes sickly infatuated with Tamar: Amnon the son of Dovid loved his [paternal] sister Tamar and he became so infatuated with her to the point that he became sick, being that she was a virgin [and was very modest and would not leave her house and therefore] he was unable to [figure out a way of how to[4]] become intimate with her [and became sick as a result].

2.      A plan is devised to rape Tamar:

• Yonadav, the friend of Amnon: Amnon had a friend [i.e. first cousin] named Yonadav, who was the son of Shimah, the brother of Dovid. Yonadav was a very wise individual [who used his wisdom in evil ways[5]]. He asked Amnon to tell him as to why he appears so weak morning after morning [as if he had not slept, as in truth he would remain awake all night thinking about his sister[6]], after all he is the son of the king [and should not have any worries or lack of sustenance]. Amnon informed him that he is deeply in love with Tamar the sister of his brother Avshalom. [Meaning to say that Halachically she is only considered the sister of Avshalom, and is not considered as his own sister being that she was conceived prior to her mother’s conversion, and therefore she is permitted to him in marriage and he is losing sleep over his infatuation for her.[7]]
• The plan: Yehonadav told Amnon that he should lie in his bed and make believe that he is sick. “Your father will then come to visit you, and when he does so you should tell him that you would like your sister Tamar to come and feed you bread, and that she should make the food in front of your eyes in order so you can see [her making it and have an appetite to eat^[8]] and eat it from her hand [and then hopefully get better].”

[1] See Sanhedrin 21a-b

[2] Rashi 13:1; Metzudos Dovid 13:1

[3] Sanhedrin 21a; Metzudos Dovid 13:1

[4] Rashi and Metzudos Dovid 13:2

[5] Rashi 13:3

[6] Radak and Metzudos Dovid 13:4

[7] Metzudos Dovid 13:4

[8] Metzudos Dovid 13:5