October 9, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Samuel? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Samuel 13 (NIV)
Amnon and Tamar
1 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.
2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.
3 Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man...........Continue Reading
Such a horrible chapter as far as lust and sin! Jonadab may have placed the idea in Amnon’s head, however, it is he that acted on it and did such a horrible thing to Tamar! Funny that as soon as he did it he couldn’t live with his own sin and his love turned to hate.
Absalom’s reaction was not surprising even if it was the wrong choice to take Amnon’s life but worse is that David does nothing to correct this….perhaps his own guilty conscious on the subject of lustful sins!
David is left with the loss of one son due to his own lack of judgement after the rape and the loss of a second who needs to run from a crime that could have been prevented had David only taken immediate action….sad!
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 13&14
Yes, such a sad chapter. Jonadab is not innocent in this, but one would imagine he didn’t think Amnon would take the course that he did. How selfish Amnon is to only think about what he wanted rather than how it would effect Tamar, even after her pleading and describing what would happen to her. All those more powerful need to be mindful not to take advantage of those who are weaker. And Amnon is doubly foolish not to think that Absalom would do something about him disgracing his sister. Sin and satan often point to the pleasure of something and blind us to the consequences. And David is upset about what happens but doesn’t do anything about it. It is almost cliche to see people of influence, particularly men, who are lacking in their parenting. And the greatest crime is passivity. And David is passive with both Amnon and Absalom. So much could have been prevented if David just engaged. How silly it is to miss your son and then not go see him in 3 years time. And lastly, I do believe another wrong dynamic operating here is the dysfunction that comes with having children from various wives….David’s choices do catch up with him….
Ugh, what a horrible chapter! Poor Tamar! I feel like she is the biggest victim in this matter and bears the brunt of all of this.
I wonder, what would have been the proper response of David to Amnon? Should he have had him stoned to death? Made him marry Tamar?
The response to Tamar is really horrible. Absalom basically says, “he’s your brother, get over it,” even though he is passive aggressive towards Amnon himself. He does provide for Tamar in his own home at least. David is angry, but that’s as far as it goes, as I said above, not sure what the appropriate response according to God would be. Absalom kills Amnon and flees, and David mourns for both. BUT WHAT ABOUT TAMAR?!