Who
David’s daughter by Maacah, the full sister of Absalom, a virgin of the king’s house. Her half-brother Amnon forced her and then cast her out; she put ashes on her head, tore the robe of the king’s virgin daughters, and went away crying (2 Samuel 13:1–19). Absalom told her to keep silent, “So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house” (2 Samuel 13:20), until he avenged her two years later. Absalom named his own daughter after her (2 Samuel 14:27).
Key verses
- 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 3:9
All these were the sons of David, in addition to the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
Where the Bible names her
Family
- Parents