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.
Ver. 20. And Absalom her brother said unto her.] For to him she addressed herself, and not to her father, against whom haply she was exasperated in her mind, for sending her to Amnon's house; which was not the wisest act that ever he did. See Trapp on " 2Sa 13:7 "
Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee?] Synechdoehe generis verecunda, a modest expression of an immodest action.
He is thy brother.] Whereby Absalom meant not, that therefore he might do to her as he did - Clodia indeed, that impudent strumpet, to excuse her incest, said, that she lay with Metellus as a husband, but with Clodius as with a brother; this covering was too short - but that the less blame could be laid upon her for being alone with him, and that she had the less cause to suspect him. Besides, by blazoning his folly, she should set a blur upon the whole family. a
Regard not this thing.] Do not grieve too much for that which, being now done, cannot be undone; but make the best of an ill matter: let that which is past cure, be past care.
a Fratrem sine propria infamia accusare non potes.