So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

2 SAMUEL 13:6KJV
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2 Samuel 13:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 13:6 mean?

2 Samuel 13:6 describes Amnon pretending to be sick so that when King David comes to visit him, Amnon can ask the king to send his sister Tamar to prepare food for him and serve it to him personally. This request is part of Amnon’s plan to get Tamar alone with him under false pretenses.

In this scene, Amnon is speaking to his father, King David, while pretending to be ill. Amnon specifically asks for Tamar, his half-sister, to come and make cakes in his presence, saying he wants to eat from her hand. This verse sets up the events that follow, showing Amnon’s deception and how he manipulates David’s concern as a father.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 13:6

  • "Sick" (חָלָה, chalah): This word means to be weak or ill. Amnon is not actually sick; he is faking illness to trick his father and get what he wants.
  • "Make" (לָבַב, lavav): The word used here is often understood as "to prepare" or "to cook," specifically referring to making cakes. The request for Tamar to make food in his sight is a calculated move to create a private setting.
  • "Cakes" (לֵבִיבָה, levivah): This refers to a kind of cake or bread, possibly a simple, heart-shaped cake. The detail about the food is not just about eating but about creating an excuse for Tamar’s presence.
  • "Eat" (אָכַל, akhal): Amnon says he wants to eat from Tamar’s hand, emphasizing a personal, intimate act, which is part of his manipulative plan.

Why 2 Samuel 13:6 matters

  • This verse highlights Amnon’s deceit and the lengths he is willing to go to carry out his intentions toward Tamar, setting up the tragic events that follow.
  • The details about the food and the request for Tamar to serve him personally show how Amnon manipulates both David’s authority and Tamar’s trust.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the dynamics in David’s family and the vulnerabilities that are exploited, which become important in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“cakes” Hebrew H3834 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
  • 2 Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

“make” Hebrew H3823 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
  • Job 11:12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
  • Song of Solomon 4:9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.

“eat” Hebrew H1262 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
  • 2 Samuel 12:17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
  • 2 Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

“Amnon” Hebrew H550 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
  • 2 Samuel 13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
  • 2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.