Breakdown of 2 Samuel 13:15

"Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!”" — The devastating shift from intense desire to loathing in Amnon reveals how twisted passions can quickly curdle into something monstrous. What's often missed is how the text immediately pivots from th…

2 Samuel 13:15 Meaning Explained

All verses

2 Samuel 13:15

Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!”

English Standard Version (ESV)

The devastating shift from intense desire to loathing in Amnon reveals how twisted passions can quickly curdle into something monstrous. What's often missed is how the text immediately pivots from this emotional freefall to Amnon's cold, dismissive command, showing the stark and brutal reality of exploitation.

When 'Love' Is Not Love

The Bible doesn't pull punches, and this verse is a stark example. What looks like love can quickly turn into something ugly and destructive.

The Deception of Desire

The story of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 is a tragic one. Amnon's initial 'love' for Tamar was not genuine affection or respect, but lust fueled by obsession. The text makes it clear: the intense 'hatred' that followed was not a sudden shift in emotion but the exposure of the true, dark nature of his desire.

Obsession vs. Affection: True love seeks the well-being of the other person. Amnon's actions reveal he only wanted to satisfy his own cravings. When he couldn't have his way, or after he had his way, the object of his desire became a source of disgust, not endearment.
The Illusion of Control: Amnon felt entitled and powerful, but his lust led him to violate his own sister. When the immediate gratification faded, he was left with the horrifying reality of his sin and the consequences, projecting his inner turmoil onto Tamar.

The Brutal Fallout of Sin

Sin doesn't just hurt the perpetrator; it leaves deep wounds on others and shatters relationships. This verse shows the immediate, harsh consequence of Amnon's actions.

The Bitter Harvest

Amnon's sin against Tamar wasn't just a private failing; it had immediate and devastating public consequences. The 'very great hatred' and his command for Tamar to 'Get up! Go!' reveal:

Rejection and Shame: After committing a terrible act, Amnon couldn't bear to face Tamar. He projected his own guilt and shame onto her, treating her as the problem and casting her out. This is a common pattern where perpetrators try to erase the evidence of their sin by further victimizing the one they harmed.
Brokenness of Family: This act tore apart the royal family. The violation itself was horrific, but Amnon's subsequent hatred and rejection demonstrated the complete disintegration of familial bonds and any semblance of morality within the household.

Understand the original words

Original language

hatedשׂנֵא

sane' · Hebrew Noun/Verb

A strong, often consuming emotion of intense dislike or hostility. In scripture, it can be a sinful reaction to others or, in contrast, a righteous rejection of evil.

loveאַהֲבָה

ahabah · Hebrew Noun

A deep, profound affection, devotion, and commitment. Biblically, it is characterized by action and self-sacrifice, rather than merely being a passing emotional attraction or sexual desire.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the reign of King David, around 1000-960 BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as Samuel, but likely compiled and edited by other prophets or scribes after his death.
Location: Written from the perspective of the united kingdom of Israel, likely during the reign of David.
Genre: Biblical narrative, characterized by its direct storytelling and focus on the dramatic unfolding of events and character motivations.

Historical background

The horrific events described in 2 Samuel 13, including Amnon's violation of his sister Tamar and his subsequent revulsion, are a stark example of the deep moral corruption and familial strife that plagued David's kingdom. These sins, stemming from lust and pride, ultimately fractured the royal family and weakened the nation.

c. 1010 BC
David becomes King of Israel
David unites the tribes of Israel and establishes Jerusalem as his capital, ushering in a golden age. This period is marked by both great triumphs and significant family turmoil.
c. 1007 BC— this verse
Absalom flees after murdering Amnon
This event is actually the murder of Amnon by his brother Absalom, NOT the other way around. The passage in 2 Samuel 13 recounts Amnon's rape of Tamar and his subsequent hatred for her.
c. 1006 BC
Absalom returns from exile
After three years in exile, Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem but remains estranged from David, setting the stage for his later rebellion.
c. 1001 BC
Absalom's rebellion
Absalom, fueled by resentment and popular support, rebels against his father David. The rebellion tears the kingdom apart and results in Absalom's death.

Key themes

01Deception masked as love
02Violent hatred follows sin
03Consequences of lustful sin
04Abuse and violation

Cross-references

Genesis 37:3-4

This passage shows a similar pattern of intense, misplaced affection turning into bitter hatred, highlighting the destructive nature of jealousy and favoritism within families.

Proverbs 6:32-34

This proverb directly addresses the destructive consequences of lust and betrayal, noting that the one who commits adultery lacks sense and deserves disgrace, much like Amnon's actions and their aftermath.

Matthew 5:27-28

Jesus expands the concept of sin beyond the physical act to the lustful thought, showing that the desire itself is where the corruption begins, a root issue evident in Amnon's initial lust for Tamar.

Romans 1:28-32

This passage describes a society given over to sinful desires, including sexual immorality and hatred, providing a broader biblical context for the kinds of depravity that can take hold of individuals and communities.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Samuel 13:15 mean?

Explain the meaning of 2 Samuel 13:15

What is the context of 2 Samuel 13:15?

2 Samuel 13:15 touches on Deception masked as love, Violent hatred follows sin, Consequences of lustful sin. See the full context above.

Study this verse in Sola

Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.

Open in Sola app Get the app

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "hated" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally understood as Samuel, but likely compiled and edited by other prophets or scribes after his death. write 2 Samuel 13:15?”
“How does deception masked as love show up in 2 Samuel 13:15?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about 2 Samuel 13:15 is available in the Sola app.

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

Original language

hatedשׂנֵא

sane' · Hebrew Noun/Verb

A strong, often consuming emotion of intense dislike or hostility. In scripture, it can be a sinful reaction to others or, in contrast, a righteous rejection of evil.

loveאַהֲבָה

ahabah · Hebrew Noun

A deep, profound affection, devotion, and commitment. Biblically, it is characterized by action and self-sacrifice, rather than merely being a passing emotional attraction or sexual desire.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the reign of King David, around 1000-960 BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as Samuel, but likely compiled and edited by other prophets or scribes after his death.
Location: Written from the perspective of the united kingdom of Israel, likely during the reign of David.
Genre: Biblical narrative, characterized by its direct storytelling and focus on the dramatic unfolding of events and character motivations.

Historical background

c. 1010 BC

David becomes King of Israel

David unites the tribes of Israel and establishes Jerusalem as his capital, ushering in a golden age. This period is marked by both great triumphs and significant family turmoil.

c. 1007 BC— this verse

Absalom flees after murdering Amnon

This event is actually the murder of Amnon by his brother Absalom, NOT the other way around. The passage in 2 Samuel 13 recounts Amnon's rape of Tamar and his subsequent hatred for her.

c. 1006 BC

Absalom returns from exile

After three years in exile, Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem but remains estranged from David, setting the stage for his later rebellion.

c. 1001 BC

Absalom's rebellion

Absalom, fueled by resentment and popular support, rebels against his father David. The rebellion tears the kingdom apart and results in Absalom's death.