Amnon
“Faithful”
Summary
The eldest son of David, who violated his half-sister Tamar and was subsequently murdered by her brother Absalom in revenge.
☩David's Eldest Son
Amnon was born to David by Ahinoam of Jezreel at Hebron, during the period when David reigned only over Judah. As David's firstborn son, he would have been heir to the throne. The Septuagint adds to the biblical account that David refrained from punishing Amnon because "he loved him because he was his firstborn."
☩Sin and Death
Amnon is known primarily for his violation of his half-sister Tamar, whom he lured to his chamber under pretense of illness. After committing this crime, he cruelly rejected her. Tamar's full brother Absalom harbored hatred against Amnon but concealed it for two years. Absalom then invited Amnon to a sheep-shearing feast and had his servants assassinate him while he was feasting. David's failure to punish Amnon likely served as additional incentive for the ambitious Absalom to remove him as a rival to the throne.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Amnon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Amnon," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Amnon," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Amnon," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).