And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
Ver. 22. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad,] sc., About that abuse done to his sister; but made as if he had digested that injury, and put it up. Nothing is more unsafe to be trusted, than the fair looks of a festered heart.
For Absalom hated Amnon.] With a habit of hatred, wherein is steeped the venom of all other vices. Gunpowder will take and blaze, sooner than lime; yet lime hath more innate heat, and burneth more within; so is it with the malicious resolved upon revenge, and waiting their opportunity. Beware of such.
Because he had forced his sister Tamar.] This was the great grudge, the ground of that inveterate hatred. Now if Absalom, though wicked and unnatural, could not endure the wrong done his sister: if Jacob's sons fell so foul upon the Shechemites for the rape of Dinah, how will the Lord Christ, think we, take the misusages done to his sister, his spouse, the Church, and her members, by those that seek to turn her glory into shame?