Amnon (Hebrew «Faithful»)

AMNON (Hebr. “faithful”). - Firstborn son of David, by his second wife Achinoam of Jezrael, born in Hebron (II Sam. 3, 2). Seized by a wicked passion for his sister Thamar, daughter of David and Maacha, who, like the other daughters of David, lived in a separate house, on the advice of Jonadab, son of David’s brother Semmaa, A. took to his bed, feigning a serious illness, and asked his father David to have Thamar come and prepare before him an appetizing dish (lêbhihôth). Thamar came, and A., left alone with his sister, after Thamar’s refusals—she suggested that he ask their father for her hand in marriage—violated her; then he brutally expelled her. She tore her virgin’s tunic, covered her head with ashes, and wandered through the house weeping. She revealed the outrage she had suffered to Absalom, her full brother, who took her into his home. David, upon learning of the incest, was angered (according to the Hebrew text), but did not punish A., whom he favored (II Sam. 13, 21 b is an addition of the Septuagint and the Vulgate). Absalom, concealing his hatred for A., wished to avenge the offense. Two years later, on the occasion of the shearing of the flock, he invited his father and all his brothers to Baal-Hasor, near Ephraim. The brothers accepted. When A. was drunk during the banquet, Absalom’s servants, acting on his orders, killed him. The other brothers fled. David grieved over what had happened, the reason for which Jonadab explained to him (II Sam. 13).