Who
David’s firstborn, son of Ahinoam of Jezreel (2 Samuel 3:2). He desired his half-sister Tamar, lured her to his room by feigning sickness, and forced her; then he hated her and drove her out (2 Samuel 13:1–19). David was angry but did not punish him. Two years later Tamar’s brother Absalom had him killed at a sheep-shearing feast (2 Samuel 13:28–29), the first of the sorrows Nathan had foretold to David’s house (2 Samuel 12:10).
Key verses
- 2 Samuel 3:2
Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
- 2 Samuel 13:20
Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
- 1 Chronicles 3:1
Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;