2 Samuel 13:16 Explained in Context

Read It With

• 2 Samuel 13:15–22

Read 2 Samuel 13:16 with 13:15–22. The wording “And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than…” supplies one step in the thought unit through its next reported action, speech, or consequence; the surrounding verses supply the causes, responses, and outcome summarized here: Amnon's hatred intensifies, he expels Tamar, she publicly mourns, Absalom tells her to be quiet, and David is angry without reported justice.

Why This Verse Appears Here

Within “Amnon Expels Tamar and the Household Fails Her,” 2 Samuel 13:16 advances the thought unit through its next reported action, speech, or consequence through the wording “And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than….” Its placement is governed by this reviewed relationship: 2 Samuel 13:8–14 establishes this prior movement: Tamar serves Amnon, sends others away at his order, refuses with legal and moral arguments, and is overpowered and raped. 2 Samuel 13:15–22 brings the preceding movement toward a consequence or close; that demonstrated relationship, rather than sequence alone, explains its placement.