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.
Ver. 1. And it came to pass after this.] God's justice, which seemed to sleep, now beginneth to show itself in the punishment of David's foul offences.
That Absalom the son of David.] By Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, whom, say the Rabbins, David had taken prisoner, and knew her before she was proselyted. This haste God might punish in these miscarriages of his children by her.
Whose name was Tamar.] Which signifieth a palm tree; like as Absalom signifieth his father's peace, and Amnon faithful, stable; but none of them answered their names.
“ Fallitur augurio spes bona saepe suo. ”
And Amnon the son of David.] His eldest son, but by another wife: he proved to be one of his tres vomicae, imposthumated ulcers, as Augustus said of his children. a
Loved her,] i.e., Lusted after her. Of this the poet speaketh,
“ Amor est amaror, et melle et felle faeeundissimus:
Gustu dat dulce, amarum ad satietatem usque aggerit. ”
- Plaut. Gist. Act. i.
And to the same sense another,
“ Non Amor antiquo fuerat sed Amaror ab aevo;
Dicendus cure sit semper amarus Amor. ”
a Sueton.