Tamar's Plea – כִּי לֹא יִמְנָעֵנִי מִמֶּךָּ/2

Tamar's Plea

Exegetical Approaches

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Truth

Tamar was speaking the truth as there was no legal impediment to her marrying Amnon.

Not Legally Siblings

Amnon and Tamar were not legally siblings.

Sources:Rav in Bavli SanhedrinSanhedrin 21aAbout the Bavli, RashiShemuel II 13:1Shemuel II 13:13About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RadakShemuel II 13:1About R. David Kimchi, RalbagShemuel II 13:12Shemuel II Toalot 13:13About R. Levi b. Gershom, MetzudotMetzudat David Shemuel II 13:1-4About R. David Altschuler, MalbimShemuel II 13:1-6About R. Meir Leibush Weiser

Relationship to Avshalom – Avshalom and Tamar were full siblings, sharing both a mother (Ma'akhah) and father (David).  This is why she is first introduced in relationship to him rather than Amnon (לְאַבְשָׁלוֹם בֶּן דָּוִד אָחוֹת יָפָה וּשְׁמָהּ תָּמָר) and why he similarly tells Yonadav, "תָּמָר אֲחוֹת אַבְשָׁלֹם אָחִי אֲנִי אֹהֵב".

Ma'akhah – According to all these sources, Ma'akhah was a beautiful captive woman who bore Tamar from relations with David prior to her conversion.¹ As such, legally Tamar was not considered David's daughter but rather that of a maidservant.

Relationship to Amnon – Though David was the biological father of both Amnon and Tamar, since Tamar was conceived before Ma'akhah converted, she was Amnon's biological, but not halakhic, half-sister and not prohibited to him.²

"תָּמָר אֲחֹתִי" – Tamar is referred to as Amnon's sister throughout the story, because, despite her legal status, she was nonetheless David's daughter.

Yonadav's intentions – Malbim claims that Yonadav, knowing that Amnon could legitimately marry Tamar, had never intended that he take her by force.  He suggested that Amnon fake illness and talk to his father, assuming that David would realize that Amnon desired Tamar and suggest that they marry.

Tamar's goal – Tamar wanted

Why didn't Amnon agree?

No Blood Relationship

Sources:Attributed to R. Yosef KaraShemuel II 13:2About Attributed to R. Yosef Kara, TosafotSanhedrin 21aAbout Ba'alei HaTosafot, RidShemuel II 13:1-2About R. Yeshayah of Trani,

Relationship to Avshalom – Tamar was born from the same mother as Avshalom (Ma'akhah), but a different father, making them half-siblings.³

Relationship to Amnon – Tamar and Amnon were not related at all, sharing neither a father nor a mother.

"תָּמָר אֲחֹתִי" – Even though there were no blood ties between Amnon and Tamar, since Tamar grew up in the palace with all the other children of David, she was treated and referred to as a sister.

Ruse

Tamar knew that David would never approve of the marriage, but was grasping at straws hoping that her words would convince Amnon to release her.

Sources:R. Yosef ibn KaspiShemuel II 13:13About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi #2, Abarbanel

Mistake

Tamar was unaware of the law, and truly believed that David would allow the marriage.

Sources:R. Yosef ibn KaspiShemuel II 13:13About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi #1, Hoil MosheShemuel II 13About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi

¹ This follows Rav's opinion in Yerushalmi Makkot and Bavli Kiddushin 21b, which allows a one time sexual act during the war itself, before the captive woman protocol and ensuing conversion take effect.  For elaboration, see Purpose of the Captive Woman Protocol.

² Malbim suggests that the text emphasizes that Amnon was "" (a fact that is already known to the reader) to contrast that hehad such stats while Tamar did not.

³ Though these sources do not elaborate, they are likely assuming that Tamar was born to Maakhah before David married her, and Tamar was brought to the palace when David wed her mother.