After David sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, (2 Samuel 11) God listed a series of curses David would have to endure. They weren't defeat in battle, famine, or plague, although a plague did come later (2 Samuel 24:15–17). The curses were tragedy, violence, evil, and betrayal within David's own family. The last, that Bathsheba's son would die, has already happened (2 Samuel 12:14–18). In 2 Samuel 13, the next curse begins: "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house" (2 Samuel 12:10).

The evil starts when David's oldest son, Amnon, indulges in a lustful obsession with his half-sister Tamar. He's frustrated because he can't get to her; she's apparently of marriageable age but not engaged, so she's protected. His cousin Jonadab comes up with a scheme: Amnon can play sick and ask David to send Tamar to make him something to eat. It's not clear if Jonadab knows what Amnon has in mind once he's with his sister (2 Samuel 13:1–5).

David sends Tamar to her half-brother Amnon. She fixes food in view of several other people. When she goes to give it to him, he tells the others to leave. He grabs her and she resists. She points out that what he's about to do is unthinkably evil. If he forces himself on her, she'd live in shame and he'd ruin his own life. Tamar tries to stall Amnon by suggesting that David would let Amnon marry her legitimately. But Amnon ignores her and rapes her (2 Samuel 13:6–14).

Once he's gratified his lust, Amnon's feelings turn to an even more intense hatred. He tells her to get out. Tamar realizes that her only chance at a somewhat respectable life is for Amnon to marry her. Marrying a half-sibling would be a sin, but for her, that's better than a lifetime with no husband, no honor, and no children. She begs him not to reject her. Amnon orders his servants to throw her out and bolt the door. Tamar, grieving, tears her long robe and puts ashes on her head, crying loudly as she returns home (2 Samuel 13:15–19).

Tamar's full brother Absalom realizes what has happened. He comforts her and gives her a place in his household. When David hears what has happened, he's furious, but apparently does nothing. Absalom's hate is colder and more calculating (2 Samuel 13:15–22).

Two years later, Absalom plans a sheep-shearing celebration dinner in the hill country of Ephraim. He invites all of David's sons, along with the king himself. David refuses to go but sends Amnon and his other sons. Absalom orders his servants to fill Amnon with wine and, on his signal, kill Amnon. They do so, and all the rest of David's sons mount their mules and flee the party. The first report David receives is that all his other sons have been killed. Jonadab, though, Reassures David that Absalom has only killed Amnon for the crime of raping Tamar. The rest of David's sons soon arrive in Jerusalem and join David and his staff as they mourn for Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23–36).

Absalom flees to the home of his mother's father, Talmai, the king of Geshur (1 Chronicles 3:2). He lives there for three years. David's grief for Amnon eases, and he starts to miss Absalom (2 Samuel 13:37–39).

These horrible events set the stage for the fulfillment of God's curses. Absalom will return, and for two years, David will neither punish him nor reconcile with him. Absalom will win the hearts of the people and drive David and his household into exile. He will then take David's concubines, sexually, on the rooftop to humiliate his father as God promised (2 Samuel 12:11–12; 16:20–22). Despite David's wishes, Joab will strike Absalom down in their battle. With Absalom's death, God's curse will be complete, but David will be a heartbroken king (2 Samuel 14—19).

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