Absalom's revenge on Amnon (for the rape of Tamar)
When Absalom sees his
sister Tamara, he figures out what happened with Amnon. He tells Tamar not to
worry about it right now, and she lived in her brother’s house. David hears of
what happened and is angry, but doesn’t punish Amnon (he showed some
favoritism). Absalom never brings the issue up to Amnon, but he hates him for
it.
Two years later, Absalom’s sheep are being sheared, and he invites all the king’s sons for a feast, saying he wants them to celebrate with him. The king says he won’t, as they’d be too much of a burden with so many. Absalom insists, but the king still refuses, giving his blessing instead. Absalom then asks if Amnon may come instead. The king asks why, but Absalom will not answer, merely pressing the matter until the king agrees to let all his sons go, Amnon included. So Absalom prepares a feast. Absalom tells his men to wait until Amnon is drunk and then, when Absalom gives the order, kill Amnon. They do so, and all the other sons of the king flee. Yet, as they are still returning, David gets a report they are all dead, having been killed by Absalom, so he tears his clothes and weeps. Then Jonadab comes and says not to believe it, for it is not true. He explains only Amnon is dead, and it was because he had slept with Tamar and Absalom had been plotting ever since. Absalom escapes while this all goes on. The king’s sons get home and David mourns for a long time for Amnon. Absalom flees to his grandfather, staying with him for three years. By then, David had moved on from Amnon’s death, and he missed Absalom.
So I read some of the notes to this passage that were along the bottom. I was just curious as to why Tamar stayed and lived, unmarried, with her brother. Some people had thought she had been with Amnon out of her own desire. She had not and likely could have stood up for that, if it weren’t for Amnon. When he sent her away, it appeared to anyone who saw as her having made a sinful offer to him and him having turned her down. The only ones aware that Amnon had raped Tamar were those two. Tamar had nobody to vouch for her. Also, in that time, her chance for marriage would be gone. Once a woman was no longer a virgin back then, she could not be given in marriage. Basically, because of Amnon, Tamar really had no hopeful future (as back then women had no option for education – they were to marry and raise children and run a household). What Amnon did was disgusting. Products of lust do harm, not good. How easily a life can be crushed when lust is not controlled can be astounding. When you find yourself feeling any sense of lust, even just a bit, pray against it. It is not something godly, but something wicked. Love is from God, but lust is sin. Jesus speaks very strongly against lust in Matthew 5:27-30. Even if you cannot see it as wrong from a biblical, godly perspective, though, it is wrong for destroying your life, or that of another, in moments.
Well, that's all! God bless! Shalom!Two years later, Absalom’s sheep are being sheared, and he invites all the king’s sons for a feast, saying he wants them to celebrate with him. The king says he won’t, as they’d be too much of a burden with so many. Absalom insists, but the king still refuses, giving his blessing instead. Absalom then asks if Amnon may come instead. The king asks why, but Absalom will not answer, merely pressing the matter until the king agrees to let all his sons go, Amnon included. So Absalom prepares a feast. Absalom tells his men to wait until Amnon is drunk and then, when Absalom gives the order, kill Amnon. They do so, and all the other sons of the king flee. Yet, as they are still returning, David gets a report they are all dead, having been killed by Absalom, so he tears his clothes and weeps. Then Jonadab comes and says not to believe it, for it is not true. He explains only Amnon is dead, and it was because he had slept with Tamar and Absalom had been plotting ever since. Absalom escapes while this all goes on. The king’s sons get home and David mourns for a long time for Amnon. Absalom flees to his grandfather, staying with him for three years. By then, David had moved on from Amnon’s death, and he missed Absalom.
So I read some of the notes to this passage that were along the bottom. I was just curious as to why Tamar stayed and lived, unmarried, with her brother. Some people had thought she had been with Amnon out of her own desire. She had not and likely could have stood up for that, if it weren’t for Amnon. When he sent her away, it appeared to anyone who saw as her having made a sinful offer to him and him having turned her down. The only ones aware that Amnon had raped Tamar were those two. Tamar had nobody to vouch for her. Also, in that time, her chance for marriage would be gone. Once a woman was no longer a virgin back then, she could not be given in marriage. Basically, because of Amnon, Tamar really had no hopeful future (as back then women had no option for education – they were to marry and raise children and run a household). What Amnon did was disgusting. Products of lust do harm, not good. How easily a life can be crushed when lust is not controlled can be astounding. When you find yourself feeling any sense of lust, even just a bit, pray against it. It is not something godly, but something wicked. Love is from God, but lust is sin. Jesus speaks very strongly against lust in Matthew 5:27-30. Even if you cannot see it as wrong from a biblical, godly perspective, though, it is wrong for destroying your life, or that of another, in moments.
P.S. Yes, this was up a day late. My internet was not working last night, so I couldn't get on here to update it. Thank goodness for Wifi at school! Tomorrow's may also be a day late if the internet problem's not fixed by then... just letting y'all know.
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