Amnon
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Faithful; trustworthy”
David’s firstborn son, whose violent crime against his half-sister Tamar set in motion the tragedies of David’s house.
Biography
Amnon was the firstborn son of David, born to Ahinoam of Jezreel (2 Samuel 3:2). As eldest he stood first in line for the throne, yet his name — which means "faithful" — stands in tragic contrast to the destructive lust that defined his short life.
The crime against Tamar
Amnon became obsessed with his beautiful half-sister Tamar. Feigning illness on the advice of his crafty cousin Jonadab, he lured her to his chamber and, despite her pleading, forced her — then "hated her exceedingly" and cast her out in contempt (2 Samuel 13:14–17). David was angry but failed to act, and the unpunished crime festered.
Vengeance and death
Tamar's full brother Absalom said nothing for two years, then had his servants kill Amnon at a sheep-shearing feast (2 Samuel 13:28–29). Amnon's sin and David's inaction set in motion the cycle of vengeance and rebellion that would tear the royal house apart — a vivid outworking of Nathan's word that the sword would never depart from David's house (2 Samuel 12:10).
Life Timeline
Born to David and Ahinoam, David’s firstborn
Violates his half-sister Tamar and casts her out
Killed by Absalom's servants in revenge
On the Bible timeline
Amnon belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Amnon
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Amnon appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
22 verses in 2 books2 Samuel20 verses
2 Samuel 3:2
And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2 Samuel 13:1
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Samuel 13:2
And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. Amnon thought: Heb. it was marvellous, or, hidden in the eyes of Amnon
2 Samuel 13:3
But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
2 Samuel 13:4
And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. lean: Heb. thin from day: Heb. morning by morning
2 Samuel 13:6
So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
2 Samuel 13:7
Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
2 Samuel 13:8
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. flour: or, paste
2 Samuel 13:9
And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
2 Samuel 13:10
And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
2 Samuel 13:15
Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. exceedingly: Heb. with great hatred greatly
2 Samuel 13:20
And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. Amnon: Heb. Aminon regard: Heb. set not thy heart desolate: Heb. and desolate
2 Samuel 13:22
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
2 Samuel 13:26
Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
2 Samuel 13:27
But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. have: or, will you not, since I have commanded you? valiant: Heb. sons of valour
2 Samuel 13:29
And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled. gat: Heb. rode
2 Samuel 13:32
And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. appointment: Heb. mouth determined: or, settled
2 Samuel 13:33
Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
2 Samuel 13:39
And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. longed: or, was consumed
1 Chronicles2 verses
1 Chronicles 3:1
Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: Daniel: or, Chileab 2Sam.3.3.
1 Chronicles 4:20
And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth.
Frequently asked about Amnon
Who was Amnon in the Bible?
David’s firstborn son, whose violent crime against his half-sister Tamar set in motion the tragedies of David’s house.
What does the name Amnon mean?
The name Amnon means “Faithful; trustworthy”.
What did Amnon do in the Bible?
Amnon served as prince.
Who were Amnon's parents?
Amnon was the child of David.
Where does Amnon appear in the Bible?
Amnon is mentioned 22 times across 2 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Amnon?
The story of Amnon touches on themes of tamar, absalom, revenge, servants — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Amnon's life.
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