Because of David’s sin against Uriah, the LORD said that the sword would never leave his house. His daughter Tamar was a sister to Absalom his son; that is they had the same mother. David had many wives and many children. Absalom and Tamar were very close and he was her protector. Their half brother Amnon fell in love with Tamar and became so obsessed with her that he made himself sick. Tamar was a virgin and all that Amnon could think of was her.
2 Samuel 13:1-4 ESV Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. (2) And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. (3) But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. (4) And he said to him, "O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."
He lusted after her; and a very crafty friend of his Jonadab, who was actually a cousin, came up with a plan that would help Amnon fulfill his lust upon his half sister. He told Amnon to fake an illness and when his father David would inquire about how he was feeling; that he was to say that if Tamar would come and cook for him his favorite meal at his house, that he would feel better. So David had Tamar go and cook for Amnon.
2 Samuel 13:6-8 ESV So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand." (7) Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, "Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him." (8) So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes.
When Tamar went to Amnon’s house she went where he was lying so he could watch her cook, but when she went to serve him, he had all of the servants leave. When she began to serve him, he grabbed her and demanded that she go to bed with him. She struggled and cried out, pleading with him not to do so wickedly; but he overpowered her and raped her. As soon as Amnon raped Tamar, his love turned to hate and he threw her out of his house and had a servant lock the door. She tore her robe and put ashes on her head.
2 Samuel 13:10-12 ESV Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand." And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. (11) But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister." (12) She answered him, "No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing.
2 Samuel 13:14-19 ESV But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. (15) Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, "Get up! Go!" (16) But she said to him, "No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me." But he would not listen to her. (17) He called the young man who served him and said, "Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her." (18) Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves, for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. (19) And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.
When her brother Absalom confronted her about the rape, she said it was true and he advised her to keep silent about it; he implied that he was going to avenge her. This just added insult, to her injury; and Tamar had to live in her desolation in Absalom’s house. When David found out, he was very angry, but little was done to Amnon.
2 Samuel 13:20-21 ESV And her brother Absalom said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart." So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom's house. (21) When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
Absalom plotted to murder Amnon. Two years latter when Amnon didn’t suspect anything, he went to shear sheep with Absalom. When his men got Amnon drunk, they killed him as Absalom ordered. David’s other sons who were present fled on donkeys. When the report got back to David, he was told that Absalom killed all of his sons. Later it was found out that it was only Amnon. David mourned many days for Amnon. Absalom fled from Jerusalem and hid from his father. After David came to terms with Amnon’s death, he longed to be reunited with his son Absalom.
2 Samuel 13:27-29 ESV But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. (28) Then Absalom commanded his servants, "Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant." (29) So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.
Rape and murder were only the beginning of violence that would plague David’s household. Even though Absalom reconciled with David, he would ultimately prove to be an adversary and threat to David and his kingdom.
Prayer: Almighty Father in Heaven; help us to fully understand that sin carries more than the death penalty. That even though the blood of Christ covers the sin and frees us of the death penalty, there are other circumstances that we will have to live with. Help us to walk in your righteousness in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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