20. Tamar's brother Absalom said to her, “How could Amnon have done such a terrible thing to you! But since he's your brother, don't tell anyone what happened. Just try not to think about it.”Tamar soon moved into Absalom's house, but she was always sad and lonely.
21. When David heard what had happened to Tamar, he was very angry. But Amnon was his eldest son and also his favourite, and David would not do anything to make Amnon unhappy.
22. Absalom treated Amnon as though nothing had happened, but he hated Amnon for what he had done to his sister Tamar.
23. Two years later, Absalom's servants were cutting wool from his sheep in Baal-Hazor near the town of Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons to be there.
24. Then he went to David and said, “My servants are cutting the wool from my sheep. Please come and join us!”
25. David answered, “No, my son, we won't go. It would be too expensive for you.” Absalom tried to get him to change his mind, but David did not want to go. He only said that he hoped they would have a good time.
26. Absalom said, “If you won't go, at least let my brother Amnon come with us.”David asked, “Why should he go with you?”