18. (She was wearing a long-sleeved gown. The king’s virgin daughters wore this kind of robe.) So his servant took her out and bolted the door behind her.
19. Tamar put ashes on her head, tore the long-sleeved gown she had on, put her hands on her head, and went away crying.
20. Her brother Absalom asked her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Sister, be quiet for now. He’s your brother. Don’t dwell on this matter.” So Tamar stayed there at the home of her brother Absalom and was depressed.
21. When King David heard about this, he became very angry. But David didn’t punish his son Amnon. He favored Amnon because he was his firstborn son.
22. Absalom wouldn’t speak at all to Amnon. He hated Amnon for raping his sister Tamar.
23. Two years later Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal Hazor near Ephraim. He invited all the king’s sons.
24. Absalom went to the king and said, “Since I have sheepshearers, Your Majesty and your officials are invited ⌊to feast⌋ with me.”