“Evil in the House”

 “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.” (2 Samuel 13:1)

David’s family consists of 4 wives and an unknown number of concubines. As for children David is known to have had 21 by his 4 wives, one of which is unnamed by his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. Here we know of only one of David’s daughters, Tamar.

David wanted to keep his indiscretion in private. A term many people like to fall back on to feel OK about the things they do to others. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, the old adage that seldom stays private. You can’t hide from God. Adam and Eve had hidden from God, only to find out he knew where they were all the time. Now David’s sons and daughter are about to be caught up in poor choices.

Absalom and Tamar are brother and sister, Amnon is their half-brother. Amnon is the oldest of David’s sons. In many families the oldest is the one that gets the inheritance of the father. This is obviously not always the case. Esau and Jacob were twins, but Esau was the first born. Esau sold his inheritance to Jacob for a bowl of lentils. Later Jacob had to deceive Isaac to get the inheritance.

The first born in David’s house is Amnon. We know nothing about Amnon’s ability to eventually lead David’s house. But we do know about Amnon’s lustful heart.

“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.” (2 Samuel 13:2)

Amnon certainly lusted for his half-sister, but she was a virgin. Had she been anything but a virgin, Amnon could have found many reasons to sleep with her. Not only did Amnon know she was a virgin, it was known throughout the house of David that she was sexually pure. Had Amnon had an excuse based on her sexual impurity, he could have blamed her for coming on to him. It was going to be hard for him to do anything to her.

“But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.” (2 Samuel 13:3)

Jonadab, Amnon’s cousin, was a sneaky man. Not a genius, but smart enough to manipulate Amnon. Jonadab knew Amnon was having a problem and cut straight to the matter of the issue. Jonadab realizes Amnon is lusting for his half-sister Tamar. This gives Jonadab the chance to interject family strife by presenting a plan for Amnon.

Jonadab is aware that David is concerned about his children. Jonadab realizes he has to get Tamara into Amnon’s bed chamber alone. So, he tells Amnon to pretend to be sick and have David make Tamara your nurse.

“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.” (2 Samuel 13:5)

David had no reason to believe that Amnon was planning on doing anything ugly to Tamar. Tamar had no reason to believe that Amnon was planning on doing anything ugly to her. There was only two people who knew what Amnon was planning. That is Amnon, and Jonadab.

When Amnon is alone with his half-sister he forcefully rapes her. Amnon’s guilt comes crashing down on him and he throws Tamar out of the room. Tamar leaves the room and rents her clothes and covers herself in ashes.

Drama is about to get crazy.

Stay Tuned…