ellauri171.html on line 1109: In any case, Tamar was out of Amnon’s reach. As a royal princess and a virgin, she was closely watched by the harem eunuchs. She lived in the women’s quarters, and could not go outside its walls unless accompanied by other women and guards. There seemed no opportunity for Amnon to get her alone, let alone into his bedroom.
ellauri171.html on line 1112: But Amnon was not used to being refused something he wanted. He must have discussed his obsession with a friend of his, a clever cousin called Jonadab, because this young man came up with a plan. They would lure Tamar into Amnon’s room on the pretext that her half-brother was ill, and once they were alone there Amnon could have what he wanted. Bedrooms in ancient mansions were designed to receive guests/visitors.
ellauri171.html on line 1120: She came to Amnon’s quarters and prepared a kind of boiled dumpling soup (matzoh-ball-soup) that Amnon asked for. She then set the food before him, but Amnon, pretending to be petulant and out of sorts, refused to eat.
ellauri171.html on line 1142: Other wives of David and their children would be sympathetic, but would quickly look to see what they could gain from Amnon’s crime – which way the wind blew, and what chance might there be to seize some political advantage for themselves. Among them would be Bathsheba, a commoner newly introduced into the harem.
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