Rape of Tamar

2 Samuel Chapter 13

David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar and Amnon, her half brother fell in love with her. He became so obsessed with her that he became ill. She was a virgin and it seemed impossible that he could ever fulfill his love for her.

He had a crafty friend, his cousin Jonadab, who was the son of David's brother Shimea. Amnon told his cousin about his love for Tamar. Jonadab told him to go to bed and pretend to be sick and when his father came to see him, have Tamar prepare food and tell the king to bring in Tamar to feed Amnon to make him feel better. So Amnon did as his cousin told him, and Tamar made special bread for him and fed it to him. As she fed him, he grabbed her and tried to pull her into his bed. But she cried and told him, it would be a crime and bring shame on her, so she asked him to speak to the king and perhaps he would let Amnon marry her.

But Amnon wouldn't listen and he raped her. Then his love turned to hate and he told her to get out. She cried that being rejected was worse than what he had done to her. But he wouldn't listen and shouted for his servant to throw her out and lock the door. Tamar wore a long robe and began to tear her robe and put ashes on her head and cried.

Her brother Absolom saw her and told her to not be upset because Amnon was her brother. She lived as a desolate woman in Absalom's house and when king David heard about what happened he was angry. Absalom never spoke to Amnon about the incident, but hated him for what he had done to his sister.

Two years later, Absalom's sheep were being sheared at Baal-hazor and he invited the king's sons to come to a feast. He invited king David and all his servants too, but David declined saying they would be too much of a burden, but he would send his sons. David didn't know the real reason behind the feast from Absalom - that he was going to wait until Amon was drunk, then have the servants kill him.

As David returned to Jerusalem, the report reached him that Absalom had killed all his sons. David tore his robes and fell to the ground, but then Jonadab arrived and said not all the sons had been killed. The only one killed was Amon in revenge for the rape of Tamar, and Absalom had escaped. David's sons came to Jerusalem and David mourned the loss of his son Amnon. Meanwhile Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai, son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur and stayed there three years. David now reconciled with Amon's death, longed to be reunited with Absalom.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Amnon was not in love, he just let lust rule his body until he could not control himself. Lust results in self-disgust and hatred of the other person. By throwing Tamar out, Amnon made it look like she had propositioned him. This crime destroyed her chance at marriage because she was no longer a virgin. Absalom tried to comfort Tamar, but didn't do anything to Amnon because he wanted no public scandal. David did not punish Amnon probably because he was first-born and next in line to be king or else David was reminded he was guilty of adultery with Bathsheba. God predicted David would suffer for his sins.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? If you are like me, I find it difficult to let go of the girl Tamar so quickly. She was treated so badly, yet she was guilty of nothing. However, we must remember the role of females in the time of King David was quite different than today. Rape was apparently not prosecuted as a crime in all instances. Remember the rape of Dinah, in the time of Isaac? Her family later took revenge on the young man and his family and slaughtered them all.

David is certainly paying for his sins, as they continue to reflect on his family. The last few words of this chapter are a little deceiving, as they paint a picture of a David who longs to be reunited with Absalom. Absalom who had killed his first born son. Do you honestly think David has forgiven him? I don't. We will have to see. David's life is much like a soap opera.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby. But a lung problem has arisen and she faces surgery again. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to St. Louis to await her surgery.
Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing.
Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly.
Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.