2 Samuel 13:1-22
| 2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. 4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister. 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. 6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat. 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. 9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. 10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. 14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. 16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. 17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. 18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. 19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. 20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. This is a very sad story. My heart just crys out for Tamar, but my mind is asking why did this happen. Who was in the wrong? I know Amnon was. But what about David or Tamar? Did they do anything wrong? Did they also sin? Walking through the story we see that Amnon didn't start out in sin. He was in love with his sister. As a young teen I have also had crushes. However he was obsesed. Is this bad? Yes if she became an idol to him if she bacame more important than God. His friend who was a person who was "street wise" ansked him what was the matter and told him he should take his sisters virginity through trickery. This is wrong. Telling anyone to lie is bad. Telling someone to sleep with their sister is very bad; however, Amon takes his advice and that was sin. David comes and to see Amon when he hears Amons sick He grants Amon's request to have his sister come prepare a meal for him. What was David thinking? Was he think 'I'm glad my children are getting along'? Did he realize what Amon was after? Tamar goes as her father asked to prepare a meal for her brother. What was she thinking? Was she saying to herself "gee, I get to play nurse today"? When she gets there, Amons intentions are soon discovered. Tamar pleads with him to not sin because: one it's not done in Israel, two she will be ashamed, and three he will be a fool. Tamar apeald mostly to his social morals, not his spiritual morals. She never says he would be sinning or that God would be displease by what he is doing. She offers another solution by asking the King for her hand in marrige instead. Amon forces her to sleep with him anyway.( I guess social morals aren't as high as it would seem.) He then winds up hating her. Don't you feel disgusted with yourself and others when ever you sin. He has Tamar She then goes to her brother for comfort. He isn't very comforting. "He's only your brother. What are you so upset about?" Not the words you want to hear after you have been molested. She then spends the rest of her life in desolation. Tamar's story is one that many people share. Many people have been sexualy abused, by starngers and family members. Both are very heartbreaking and distressing things. If you can reap no other lesson from this story, but this I will be satisfied. Tamar didn't have to spend the rest of her days in desolation. She could have carried her sorrows and her pain to God. God asks that you cast your cares upon Him. We as human being were not ment to carry great troubles and sorrows. When we (or others) sin we take on more and more of a burden. Take your troubles to God and He will renew your soul and give you peace that passes all understanding. |
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