2 Samuel 13:1-39
Q.1. What was the relationship between Amnon and Tamar? How did Amnon’s sense of entitlement become a snare? Was Jonadab a good cousin? What advice did he give? – (2 Sam.13:1-6)
Amnon was David’s firstborn, and Absalom was David’s third son. Tamar was Absalom’s full sister. Their mother was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, who ruled east of the Jordan at Mount Hermon i.e. the Golan Heights (2 Sam.3:2-3 c.f. Josh.12:5). Amnon fell madly in love with his half-sister Tamar. He was well aware that he was not permitted to have a sexual relationship with her, for – the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, born to your father, she is your sister, you shall not uncover her nakedness (Exo.18:11 c.f. 2 Sam.13:2). Encouraged by his shrewd cousin, Jonadab, Amnon crossed the moral boundaries and deceived David into thinking he was sick. He tricked David into allowing Tamar to minister to him in private (2 Sam.13:1-6).
Q.2. Was David wise to make Tamar serve Amnon? What boundaries did Amnon cross? What kind of man was Amnon? Did Tamar deserve to be violated? – (2 Sam.13:7-19)
Thoughtlessly, David ordered the innocent Tamar to go to Amnon. There she was entrapped by Amnon’s lust (2 Sam.13:7-11). Tamar was blameless, and told Amnon – 12 No my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this disgraceful thing! 13 As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel … (2 Sam.13:12-13). She even suggested that Amnon ask David’s permission to marry her – However, he would not listen to her; since he was stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her (2 Sam.13:14). Amnon was the prince and heir to the throne. He felt entitled. He used his physical strength to overpower Tamar. He crossed the moral boundaries in complete disregard for Tamar. To add insult to injury, his lust turned to hatred, and he roughly told her to go away. She responded – “… this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me”. But he would not listen to her. Then he called his young attendant, and told him, Throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her (2 Sam.13:16-17). However, this would not be the end of this shameful episode. Tamar responded with shock and grief (2 Sam.13:18-19).
Q.3. Was the violation dealt with properly by David and Absalom? How did Absalom avenge the rape of his sister? Why was David devastated? Where did Absalom go? – (2 Sam.13:20-39)
It is recorded that – when the king heard of all these matters, he was very angry (2 Sam.13:21). However, he took no further action. Tamar told her brother Absalom what had happened, so from that day on he gave her shelter. He devised a plan to get even, and – did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar (2 Sam.13:22). Absalom held his peace for two years. He then invited David and his sons, the other princes, to join him for a celebration following the shearing (2 Sam.13:23-24). When David declined, Absalom asked the king to send Amnon along with his other sons. Though David questioned the inclusion of Amnon, he gave his permission (2 Sam.13:26-27). Absalom then told his servants to wait for Amnon to get drunk, and then to kill him (2 Sam.13:28). When the other princes and their servants saw this, they fled. Soon David was told that Absalom had killed all David’s sons. David was devastated (2 Sam.13:29-31). However, David’s nephew Jonadab told him that he believed that this was a reprisal against Amnon for violating Tamar, and that the other princes would still be alive. This proved to be correct (2 Sam.13:32-36). Absalom then fled to the protection of his relatives and the king of Geshur. He stayed there for three years (2 Sam.13:37-38). David grieved long over the death of Amnon, but – the heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead (2 Sam.13:39 c.f. 2 Sam.13:36).