Today I read 2 Samuel 13, in which Amnon defiles Tamar so Absalom kills Amnon. Then, Absalom flees to Geshur. Today I considered that David’s son Amnon committed a sin similar to David, but David did not punish him so his son did.
Amnon Killed for His Sin
Amnon’s sin against his sister resulted in his brother killing him (2 Samuel 13:1-39). Amnon wanted to sleep with his beautiful half sister Tamar so bad that he felt sick, but knew better than to touch her. Amnon’s friend Jonadab told him to trick Tamar into coming over. Amnon did what Jonadab said, acting sick, having his father send Tamar to take care of him, and sending all the servants from the room. Tamar told Amnon to ask their father for her in marriage. He refused and forcibly raped her. Amnon then despised her, threw her out, and still refused to marry her. Tamar was distraught and went to live at her brother Absalom’s house. Absalom hated Amnon for hurting his sister. Absalom waited two years, got all of David’s sons together where the sheepshearers were, and had Amnon killed when he was at happily drinking wine. The rest of David’s sons jumped on their mules and ran home to David. Absalom fled to Geshur and stayed for three years. David longed for his son Absalom.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God said David would have war in his household then David’s son committed a sin similar to David’s sin. David took Uriah’s wife. Amnon took David’s daughter. Tamar was willing to marry her half brother Amnon but he refused. Tamar was desolate. Imagine Tamar harmed by her half brother, not protected or defended by her father David, maybe even afraid of others now. Imagine you are Tamar’s brother Absalom and you see your sister every day in your house looking depressed because of what Amnon did to her. Imagine your anger growing over time as no one punished Amnon but your beautiful sister started looking worse and worse.
What do you think David should have done?