The devastating news of a terrible crime within the royal family reaches the king, sparking intense anger and deep sorrow. Yet, this emotional turmoil remains trapped within, paralyzing him and setting the stage for even greater tragedy. The truth comes to light because Tamar refuses to suffer in silence. By crying out in the streets with torn clothing, she ensures that the horrific act becomes public knowledge, making it impossible for King David to remain unaware [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Upon hearing the details, the king is overwhelmed with a profound, consuming anger. Commentators note that this fury is distinctly inward and personal, rather than an outward display of wrath [אלשיך, חומת אנך]. This internal anguish stems from several sources. First, David is plagued by guilt, knowing he was the one who sent Tamar to Amnon's house. Second, he recognizes that this disaster is the bitter fruit of his own past mistakes. He sees it as the direct fulfillment of the judgment he once pronounced upon himself to Nathan the Prophet—that a stolen lamb must be repaid fourfold. Furthermore, David is paralyzed by the fear of public mockery. He worries that cynics and gossips will use this scandal to dredge up his own history with Bathsheba, claiming that Amnon simply learned his immoral behavior from his father [אלשיך, חומת אנך].
Weighed down by this complex emotional burden, David chooses silence. Despite his immense pain, he takes no action to support Tamar, who is under his protection, nor does he ever rebuke or punish Amnon for the crime [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אלשיך].
The king's failure to act has disastrous consequences, directly fueling Absalom's simmering hatred for Amnon [מלבי״ם]. Absalom locks his hostility deep inside, refusing to speak a single word of criticism to his brother. This silence is entirely calculated. Absalom fears that an open conflict might invite others to intervene and broker a peace agreement between them. Peace is the furthest thing from his mind, as he has already made the firm decision to have Amnon killed [אלשיך].