2 Samuel 13:2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Amnon fell sick for his sister Tamar He fell deeply in love with her, and being conscious that his passion was very criminal, he concealed it for some time, but at the expense of his health, being racked by the violence of a strong desire, and the terror of indulging it. Thus fleshly lusts are their own punishment, and not only war against the soul, but the body too, and are the rottenness of the bones. See what a hard master sinners serve, and how heavy a yoke sin is! For she was a virgin And therefore under a strict guard, so that it was difficult for him to get private converse with her, or to enjoy her company. Amnon thought it hard to do any thing unto her Thought it criminal, as indeed it was in a high degree, to betray that virtue and honour of which, as a brother, he ought to be the protector. His conscience at first startled and shrunk back from the commission of so great a sin, and he could not think of it without horror. But what wickedness is so vile as not to gain entrance into an unsanctified, unguarded heart, especially when evil counsel comes to aid its assaults!