Definition: And he said unto him, Why [art] thou, [being] the kingâs son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalomâs sister.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Samuel 13:4. It’s a really dramatic and unsettling passage about betrayal and suspicion. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: King David is facing a crisis: The verse comes after King David has been exiled from Jerusalem and is struggling with a difficult situation. Amnon, David's brother, is plotting against him: Amnon, who was David’s brother, is deeply unhappy with David’s position as king and decides to try and cause trouble. He’s essentially trying to undermine David's rule. He asks David a question: Amnon approaches David and asks him a very pointed question: "Why are you, being the king's son, leaning from day to day? Will you not tell me?" What it Means – A Deeper Look: This verse is about trust . It highlights a fundamental issue of trust and jealousy . Amnon isn’t just asking a question; he’s testing David. He’s suggesting that David doesn't trust him, and that he's being dishonest. “Being the king’s son”: This is crucial. It means Amnon was born to David. He was David's heir – his eldest son. "Leaning from day to day": This suggests a constant, deliberate effort to be disruptive and challenging David. It implies he's constantly trying to provoke trouble or sow discord. “Will you not tell me?”: This is the core of the accusation. Amnon is demanding that David explain why he’s doing this – why he’s behaving in a way that is unsettling and potentially harmful to David. He wants to know the reason behind his actions. The Significance - Why it's Important: This verse is significant because it speaks to the dangers of uncontrolled jealousy and suspicion . It shows how easily people can be driven by bitterness and resentment, even when they don’t have a clear reason to be upset. It raises questions about David’s judgment: David was surrounded by advisors and enemies, but this verse suggests that he might not have fully trusted Amnon's motives. It foreshadows tragedy: The verse sets the stage for a significant conflict – the story of Tamar, who is ultimately killed by Amnon, leading to devastating consequences for David and his family. In short, this verse portrays a situation where trust is being challenged, and a brother is attempting to undermine a king's authority through manipulation and suspicion. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this passage to other stories or biblical themes?