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.”

Where the Verse Sits

The preceding line reads “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.” The titled verse reads “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.” The following line reads “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.” Together, these lines place 2 Samuel 13:9 within its immediate canonical and literary sequence.

What the Text Says

The verse records speech within a historical scene. Meaning depends on who speaks, who receives the words, and what prompted the exchange.

The wording develops in three movements: “And she took a pan, and poured them out before him;” then “but he refused to eat.” and finally “And Amnon said, Have out all men from me.” These clauses should be read together.

Why It Matters

Recorded speech reveals decisions, commands, questions, fears, promises, or responses within the biblical account. Keeping the correct words with the correct speaker is essential.

For Reflection

Readers should ask what the speech accomplishes in the scene and how the surrounding narrative evaluates it. Careful listening should precede application.

Taken within its immediate setting, 2 Samuel 13:9 has a clear place in the passage. Careful attention to its actual words provides a sound foundation for interpretation.