17. He called his young servant back in. Amnon said, “Get this girl out of here right now! Lock the door after her.”
18. So his servant led her out of the room. And he bolted the door after her.Now Tamar was wearing a special robe with long sleeves. The king’s virgin daughters wore this kind of robe.
19. To show how upset she was Tamar took ashes and put them on her head. She tore her special robe. And she put her hand on her head. Then she went away, crying loudly.
20. Absalom, Tamar’s brother, said to her, “Has Amnon, that brother of yours, violated you? He is your brother. So for now, sister, be quiet. Don’t let this upset you so much!” So Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house. She was sad and lonely.
21. When King David heard the news, he was very angry.
22. Absalom did not say a word, good or bad, to Amnon. He hated Amnon for violating his sister Tamar.
23. Two years later Absalom had some men come to Baal Hazor, near Ephraim. They were to cut the wool from his sheep. Absalom invited all the king’s sons to come also.
24. Absalom went to the king and said, “I have men coming to cut the wool. Please come with your officers and join me.”
25. King David said to Absalom, “No, my son. We won’t all go. It would be too much trouble for you.” Absalom begged David to go. David did not go, but he did give his blessing.
26. Absalom said, “If you don’t want to go, then please let my brother Amnon go with me.”King David asked Absalom, “Why should he go with you?”
27. Absalom kept begging David. Finally, David let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with Absalom.
28. Then Absalom gave a command to his servants. He said, “Watch Amnon. When he is drunk, I will tell you, ‘Kill Amnon.’ Right then, kill him! Don’t be afraid. I have commanded you! Be strong and brave!”
29. So Absalom’s young men killed Amnon as Absalom commanded. But all of David’s other sons got on their mules and escaped.
30. While the king’s sons were on their way, the news came to David. The message was, “Absalom has killed all of the king’s sons! Not one of them is left alive!”
31. King David tore his clothes and lay on the ground to show his sadness. All his servants standing nearby tore their clothes also.