2 Samuel 13:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Tamar protests that casting her out compounds the wrong, but Amnon refuses to listen.
What Does 2 Samuel 13:16 Mean?
Tamar speaks again, even now. To be cast out adds public disgrace to private violation; in her world it strips away what little protection or recourse remained to her. She names this dismissal as a greater evil than the first. But once more Amnon will not hear her voice.
Twice in this chapter it is written that he "would not hearken." The hardened heart grows deaf to every appeal of conscience and compassion. Tamar's clear-eyed words again show her righteousness and his cruelty. Scripture preserves her protest as a lasting testimony. God, unlike Amnon, always hearkens to the cry of the afflicted; the ear that the oppressor closes, the Lord keeps open toward the wronged.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 13:16
What does 2 Samuel 13:16 mean?
Tamar protests that casting her out compounds the wrong, but Amnon refuses to listen.