READ: 2 Sam. 13:1–22: … For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar …
David experiences even more suffering. His own sins are mirrored in the actions of his children: adultery and murder. The children of God’s people are just as sinful by nature as the children of the world.
David’s household, with its many wives, was already prone to problems. It resembles the challenges seen in modern blended families, where peace and harmony are often strained. Jealousy and rivalry abound, giving free rein to sinful desires. This was evident in the household of Jacob with his two wives, Leah and Rachel (Gen. 30:1–24), and it is no different with David.
Amnon, David’s eldest son, becomes infatuated with his half-sister Tamar, Absalom’s sister and the daughter of David’s wife Haggith. This is forbidden by the law, and David would never permit it.
But Amnon’s obsessive desire consumes him. He confides in his cousin Jonadab, who advises him to deceive Tamar. Amnon lures her into his room under false pretenses and then forcibly rapes her.
Afterward, Amnon’s lust turns into hatred, and he even tries to blame Tamar for what happened. Humiliated, Tamar flees and tells her brother Absalom everything. Absalom’s hatred for Amnon begins to fester.
When David hears of the incident, he is furious (v.21), but he takes no action. Perhaps David’s own sins prevent him from disciplining his son. As a father, David should have confronted the crime and punished the guilty. His inaction leads to dire consequences.
Absalom takes matters into his own hands: he kills Amnon (v.28) and flees. In this way, God’s judgment upon David is fulfilled.
David and his other sons weep, and David continues to grieve for Absalom.
What lesson does this story teach us?
Sing: Ps. 38:5,6