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.
Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. He was her natural protector, as Simeon and Levi were of Dinah (Genesis 34:1-31); and the children of polygamists lived by themselves, as if they constituted different families.