2 Samuel 13 Unbrotherly Love

We meet Absalom, Tamar and Ammon. Ammon’s unbrotherly ‘love’ ruins three lives in a single act. All three siblings will pay the rest of their lives.

We don’t know how old Tamar is when this story takes place. Nor do we know the ages of the other participants. One person I would like to wrap my hands around his neck is Jonadab. If he would have stayed out of this situation, who knows how things would have turned out. Proof positive that Satan is alive and well in the days of David. Not that we doubted it for a moment.

Ammon could have married Tamar. She even asks him to go about being with her in this manner, but Ammon refuses. He is a selfish man who only thinks of himself. He will pay the price for his ‘selfishness’. I’m going to say that he was narcissistic. In Tennessee he would have qualified as one of those ‘who needed killin’. But Absalom went about all of this the wrong way. TWO YEARS of plotting and scheming made him a bitter man. Let’s join the story and see as this family dissolves under the weight.

♥ ♦ ♥

Tamar is a beautiful woman, inside and out. She loves to help wherever and whoever she can. As the daughter of the king, she has opportunities that others don’t. She feels it is her duty and pleasure to give to those less fortunate than herself.

She is also an exceptional beauty. Women would give their last coin for skin as smooth and lustrous as Tamar’s. Her hair is full and thick, flowing past her waist in cascading waves. Her eyes are almond shaped and sit atop a straight nose with full lips completing her perfectly proportioned face. She has curves in all the right places and walks with grace.

One of the most stunning things about Tamar is her unpretentious attitude. Unlike Bathsheba who knows her beauty and loves to turn heads, Tamar wears her beauty with simplicity. It is simply part of her, just as her arms or legs are. She neither flaunts it nor hides it.

Ammon is the eldest of David’s sons and feels entitled. As the eldest he holds himself above his brothers and sisters, as well he should. He should set an example for them through his conduct. Right now, though he doesn’t feel like a ‘shining example’. He feels frustrated and helpless.

Tamar, the sister of his brother Absalom, has blossomed before his eyes. This once little girl has become a woman and is the most desirable one he has ever seen. Ammon longs to reach out and hold her. To take her as his own; but he knows this is wrong. And still he cannot vanquish thoughts of her from his mind. They haunt him in the night. They follow him as he moves through the city. They nearly overwhelm him whenever she enters the room.

Ammon fights hard against these desires of his. He refuses to allow Tamar to see how her presence affects him. But another has noticed. His cousin, Jonadab sees something is wrong. Out of concern Jonadab voices his worries.

“O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” (2 Samuel 13:4a).

Ammon is frustrated with himself and the situation. He trusts Jonadab to keep his counsel. “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister” (2 Samuel 13:4b) he moans.

“And what is wrong with that? Aren’t you supposed to love your brothers and sisters?” Jonadab had understood Ammon’s dilemma but he wanted to draw it out from him.

“I love her as a man loves a woman! I want her with all my being.”

“Then have her.”

“But she is a virgin and the king’s daughter!”

“So.”

“I can’t just take her in the hallways. As a virgin someone is always with her.”

“Here is what you do. ‘Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, “Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat if from her hand”’ (2 Samuel 13:5). Make sure you are alone at some point and then you will know what to do from there.” Jonadab leers at him as he makes this last statement.

Ammon’s face lights up with an evil grin. “I think I feel a deadly disease setting in my friend.”

Ammon had already been fretting about Tamar and making himself ill he only needed to increase the severity of his distress, or at least convince others of it. The hard part is going to be getting his father to buy into his ‘dire’ distress without insisting the physicians tend to him instead of Tamar.

For the next two days Ammon stayed in bed moaning and groaning. He also refused the food his servants brought saying he was too sick to eat. On the third day word was sent to the king that Ammon had fallen ill.

David loves his children but he isn’t the most attentive father. He sees to it that their needs are met and that they are cared for. The news of his eldest son’s illness though required a personal visit. He has to see if there was anything he can do for his son.

David enters the home of Ammon and is shown by the servants into Ammon’s bed chamber. Ammon’s face is pale in color and his eyes lack luster. “My son, tell me what ails you.”

“My whole body aches father. I am worn out. I can’t even eat!”

“I will call the physician to attend you.”

“Please don’t. I’m sure it will pass in time but I am so miserable right now. Would that I had someone to tend me, like Tamar tends those in need.”

“Tamar is wonderful with those in need.”

“Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat them from her hand’’ (2 Samuel 13:6b). Surely this would revive me.”

David agrees to send Tamar. He goes to his home and has her summoned to him. When she arrives he tells her of her brothers need.

“’Go to your brother Ammon’s house and prepare food for him’ (2 Samuel 13:7b). He is feeling ill and desires your gentle touch to help revive him.”

Tamar is happy to help. She bows to her father the king then quickly makes her way to her brother Ammon’s house. She is taken to Ammon’s beside. “My brother, you sent for me? How may I serve you?”

“I am so weak. I haven’t been able to eat in days. And I remember the cakes you make. They are so light. I’m sure if you made me some, I will be able to eat them and I will recover my strength.”

“I will make you some right away.”

As Tamar turns to leave Ammon speaks in a strained voice. “Can you make them where I can see? Just watching you work and knowing that you are doing this for me will raise my spirits.”

Tamar blushes at her brother’s complement. “I suppose I could do that.” She goes to the kitchen and gathers the items she will need to create the cakes her brother desires and then returns to him to begin the process on the table that sits in his room. She sifts and stirs each ingredient into her mix. Then she takes it from the bowl and begins to kneed it on a board she has brought. She then shapes it and put it into a pan. “I have to cook it in the oven” she says with a smile. Then she rises with her pan to take it away to bake.

As soon as the cakes are done, Tamar brings them back to the table and slides them from the pan. “Fresh from the oven” she says. Ammon doesn’t stir from his place in the bed. “They will be cold if you don’t eat them soon.”

Ammon looks around the room. In a weak voice he says, “’Send out everyone from me’ (2 Samuel 13:9b). I don’t want them to see how weak I am.”

Tamar nods and shoos everyone out of the room. Once the door is closed, she waits again for Ammon to rise.

Looking as pathetic as possible Ammon makes another request. “Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand” (2 Samuel 13:10b).

Tamar begins to have a stirring of apprehension but she pushes it down. She reassures herself, “Surely there is no danger from my own brother.” She picks up the still warm cakes and brings them to Ammon upon his bed. As she stretches her arm out for him to take them from her hand, he reaches up as if to take them but then quickly wraps his hand around her wrist. Tamar freezes. Her heart pounds within her chest and her eyes lock on the hand holding her fast.

Ammon speaks in a sickeningly sweet voice. “Come, lie with me, my sister” (2 Samuel 13:11b).

Tamar choked with fear replies, “No, my brother do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel;…”

Ammon begins to rise without once breaking his hold on her wrist. His other arm snakes its way out and captures her other upper arm.

“…do not do this outrageous thing.” She breaks her eyes from the hand on her wrist and looks into his face. Pleading with all her strength she voices her fears. “If you do this to me, ‘where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel’ (2 Samuel 13:12-13a).”

Ammon still won’t release her. She tries one more plea. “If you so desire to be one with me, ‘please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.’  (2 Samuel 13:13b) We can be properly married and I will be yours without shame.”

Tamar’s pleas fall on deaf ears. Ammon doesn’t want a wife and he doesn’t want to wait. He wants his desires met NOW and cares nothing of the consequences. Ammon is not weak as he has been pretending. His desire makes him even stronger. He throws Tamar to the bed and uses her own robes to muffle her cries as he ravishers her and tears her virginity from her. When he is satiated he rises from the bed and stands above her.

Tamar lies in a heap upon Ammon’s bed sobbing. Her robe still raised to expose her, her hair a tangled mass. Ammon looks down on her in disgust. “How could I ever have loved such a pathetic being” he thinks. Her nakedness no longer thrills him but turns his heart cold as deepest winter. “Get up! Go!” (2 Samuel 13:15b) he shouts at her.

Tamar is even more undone. She quickly rises from her place on the bed and falls instead at Ammon’s feet. “No, my brother” she pleads. “For this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me” (2 Samuel 13:16a). After being taken he could have made her his wife but by sending her away she is ruined for any man.

Ammon knows this fact but he doesn’t care. He has nothing but contempt for her now. Ammon reached up and rings the bell for his servant. As soon as the servant enters Ammon issues his command. “Put his woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her” (2 Samuel 13:17b).

The servant steps towards Tamar as if to bodily remove her. Tamar backs away from him and makes her way to the door of Ammon’s room and finally out of his house. The servant followed right behind and as soon as she crossed the threshold he bolted the door behind her.

Tamar has been violated, ruined and now humiliated. She looks at her hands and sees the sleeves of her robe; her robe signifying her place as a virgin daughter of the king. A wail of agony rises up from the depths of her soul and breaks from her lips. She stoops and grabs two handfuls of dirt from the ground near her feet and grinds them onto the top of her head. She then grasps the sleeves of her robe and rips them as she continues to cry out in soul wrenching agony. The door stays tightly shut behind her. She gets back up and, while covering her head with her hands and crying, makes her way to her brother Absalom’s house.

Absalom heard her approach. He has not often heard his sister cry, so he didn’t recognize the wailing woman until he saw her. The state of her spoke all that needed to be said. He had been about when the king had commanded her to go and serve her brother Ammon. These two pieces quickly fall into place in his mind and he asks only for confirmation. “Has Ammon your brother been with your?” (2 Samuel 13:20a).

Tamar, too ashamed to speak, gives her brother a small nod. She stands before him with her eyes fixed on the ground.

Absalom desires to comfort her but first he must quiet her. “Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart” (2 Samuel 13:20b). He then brings Tamar into his home. He calls for his servants to draw her a bath and to bring her fresh clothes.

Tamar moves no longer with grace and beauty. Instead she shuffles behind the servants refusing to raise her eyes from the ground. She refuses to enter her bath until the last of the servants have left the room. Then she sinks into the water and sobs. She feels filthy all the way through. She begins to scrub herself to try and rid herself of the stench of Ammon but nothing removes the memory of it from her nostrils.

She finally stops scrubbing when the water begins to turn red. She has scrubbed herself to bleeding. She rises from the tub and steps into a robe that had been laid out for her. It is a simple robe unlike the one she used to wear. She sees her torn robe lying on the floor. It is as ruined as she feels. She picks it up by its edges and places it into the fire that warms the room.

Tamar vows that she will never again leave the four walls that now surround her. She sees nothing left for herself. She will do as her brother Absalom instructed. She will remain silent but there is NO WAY this act cannot ‘be taken to heart.’ Her heart and soul are forever broken.

Whispers circulate in Jerusalem for the next two days before they reach the ear of the king. David is livid when he hears of how Ammon shamed his sister. He wonders why Tamar didn’t come to him or even Absalom. He knows that she sought shelter from her brother.

David also wonders why Tamar didn’t cry out at the time. Wouldn’t the servants of Ammon have protected her if she cried out? And why did Ammon not take her as his wife? Had she somehow failed to please him? David cannot reveal either of these sins without risking the lives of his two children. His anger has no place to be spent except upon his own head for his sin with Bathsheba was the start of God’s judgement on his house.

Absalom keeps his sister well cared for in his home. His brother, Ammon, he despises and refused to even speak to again, no matter the cause. He treates Ammon as dead to him for the pain he inflicted on his sister. Any time Absalom’s heart might soften towards Ammon, all he has to do is look at his sister’s face. Never again has she smiled or ministered to those in pain since that dreadful day. Her own pain holds her prisoner and shows clearly in her eyes.

Tamar is about her morning routine. She prepares herself a bowl of cooked barley and eats it quietly in the corner of the kitchen. Looking out the window she sees the flowers of the garden. They are in full bloom right now. Thoughts of the past begin to intrude on her solitude.

This used to be her favorite time of year. She would walk among the flowers of her father’s house. She would also go to her private vegetable garden. There she grew herbs that brought life to the meals she prepared. Cooking was one of her passions and a skill she took great care in developing for when she would become a wife.

She stops her thoughts in their tracks when the preparations for becoming a wife filter in. She will never be a wife. Even the status of daughter of the king cannot restore her purity required for marriage. She will be a desolate woman. One without husband or children to fill her life.

The intensity of the pain of this has lessened over the two years since she was violated but not the weight of it. She no longer wakes screaming for release. But she is hollow. The joy that once was part of her very makeup is gone. She feels its absence with every breath and longs for it to return. The garden had brought a partial smile to her lips, until her thoughts wandered too far.

Tamar puts her half empty bowl on the table for Absalom’s kitchen staff to care for and makes her way back into her room. This is where she stays most of the time. Absalom is occasionally able to coax her out for evening meals but she retreats quickly back to her solitude at the first opportunity.

Her room isn’t a terrible place to be. Her brother has made certain she has every distraction known to woman available for her. She has a loom for weaving and access to all the materials she could ever desire. She has paints and beads and embroidery floss and… And she engages in using the various items provided for her but the work she turns out is as hollow as she is, when placed by her former pieces.

Absalom sees the changes in Tamar. He has done everything he knows to do to help her heal, except talk about it. When Tamar was violated, he told her not to take it to heart and he has avoided discussing her heart and his own. Absalom hasn’t spoken a word to Ammon since that despicable day. And each day that passes where he watches Tamar, his heart hardens a little more.

From day one Absalom knew there had to be some recompense demanded. He had hoped it would come from his father but that hope fell flat. Tamar had no husband so the law didn’t require Ammon’s life. But he was supposed to marry her and care for her for life. Tamar had told him how Ammon barred the door behind her. He violated her twice and since no one else would demand recompense, HE will.

Absalom has been working on a plan for nearly a year. The last time he brought his sheep for sheering the idea began to form in his mind. And this plan will make a public declaration of the justice that has long been denied Tamar.

This year was spent in secret conferences with Jonadab…

Jonadab is a cunning man. He knows how to make the most of any situation and turn it to his advantage. He had advised Ammon on how to get Tamar alone, but he doesn’t believe himself a party to her rape. He also was angry with Ammon for not keeping Tamar since he was so in love with her that he HAD to have her. So when Absalom approached him about a way to make Ammon pay for his sins, Jonadab was eager to be of service. But he never shares his own role in counseling Ammon before the deed. He is smart enough to keep this piece of information to himself.

The planning during the year includes mapping out where Absalom will pasture his sheep so that they can be near enough to look after, yet far enough away to ensure distance from David’s soldiers. The sheering of the sheep will take in the territory of Ephraim at Baal-hazor.

Sheep shearing always involves a feast when the job is done. Absalom’s plan is to kill Ammon during this feast. He couldn’t just invite Ammon and expect him to lay himself in Absalom’s hands. Ammon would also probably smell a trap, since the two of them hadn’t spoken a word since that night. He needs to invite all the king’s sons so Ammon will be included by rite. Jonadab suggests that David be invited too so he can witness the debt being cleared. Absalom thinks this an excellent idea.

Absalom comes to David two weeks before sheering will commence. “’Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant’ (2 Samuel 13:24b). I would share my good fortune with you.”

David appreciates Absalom’s invitation but he declines. “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you” (2 Samuel 13:25a).

“You will in no way be a burden to me my king. It will be an honor to have you at my side.”

“No, it is too great a thing to gather all my house together. But I will send you with my blessing.”

No matter how Absalom puts his idea to David, he holds fast. David isn’t the one Absalom really has to have in attendance though. He has to convince his father to at least let Ammon come.

“If you will not attend at least have my brothers attend.”

“Your brothers may have sheerings of their own to attend.”

“But this year is an important one for my flock as I have introduced a new strain and it has more than doubled my yield. I want to celebrate such an occurrence with them and perhaps if they so desire, offer them some from my own flock to increase their yield.”

“I am hesitant to commit them without first speaking with them.”

“You have the authority to do so and they would not disappoint you. This is very important to me that ALL my brothers see the success I have gained from the hand of the Lord.”

Absalom had thrown in the ‘magic word’ as David always tried to honor the work the Lord wrought in his children. He still didn’t feel completely at ease with such a large gathering of his children but how could he disappoint Absalom when he wanted to honor the Lord.

“I will send word to your brothers that they shall join you in feasting.”

“Ammon also my king?”

“Why would Absalom mention Ammon by name” wondered David. He knew their relationship had been strained since Ammon defiled Tamar. “Maybe Absalom is looking to mend their relationship.” After thinking this over David assures Absalom that ALL his brothers will be in attendance to celebrate his favor with the Lord.

Absalom leaves the home of the king with a spring in his step. His plan is falling into place. But he has to be careful that he doesn’t rush the task and miss a step along the way. He has three weeks to prepare; two before the season startes and one while the process is underway. If his brothers show up earlier to see his new breed, all the better. He can put them at ease so they wouldn’t be expecting anything when the time comes.

Once the schedule is set and the invited guests are guaranteed, Absalom turnes to the task of choosing the one who will perform the actual task. He needs to choose wisely. The hand of the man needed to be steady and swift. He must be able to hide his true intent behind smiles of hospitality. He also has to be completely loyal to Absalom. If his plan were to be revealed, all would be lost, including his own head if he is not careful.

Absalom chooses one of Tamar’s servants as his instrument of justice. Mijamin had grown up in Absalom’s household. He has risen to the position of overseer for the household staff. He is responsible for obtaining things to entertain Tamar. He doesn’t serve her directly but he sees that she is never without distraction and he is the one she makes requests to for new items she desires.

Mijamin had also personally benefited from Tamar’s former generosity. Tamar had helped Mijamin’s son when he fell ill. She had made certain he had the medication he needed, even though Mijamin had no means by which to pay for these lifesaving herbs. Mijamin’s heart breaks to see Tamar, the ghost of herself, as she moves about her life now. He would not be so bold as to ask her about her difference but he certainly ponders it.

The night before leaving for sheep shearing Absalom calls Mijamin to accompany him in his study. “Mijamin I have a story to tell you. And after I have finished my tale, I will ask your hand in setting things right.”

Mijamin had no idea where Absalom was going with this introduction but Mijamin will faithfully serve Absalom, even unto the point of death. “Speak my lord.”

“Do you recall when the lady Tamar came to live with me?”

“I do my lord.”

“Do you know the reason behind her coming, or her pain?”

“I do not my lord. It is not my place to ask such things.”

“You are quite right but you need to know now so that you can understand the task I am to set your hand to.”

Mijamin nods his understanding and waits for Absalom to continue.

“As I’m certain you know, Tamar is my sister. We share the same mother. Two years ago, my brother Ammon, who shares a father but not mother with me, desired in his heart to have my sister. Rather than asking the king for her hand he set about to take her. He feigned illness and asked our father to send my sister to minister to him. She, being one who loves to care for the sick, was honored by his request. She went to him in good faith. He asked that she prepare a cake in his presence and give it to him directly from her own hand. He ordered everyone out of the room, again pretending to be too ill for their presence, and had my sister bring the cake to his bedside so he could ‘receive it from her own hand.’ This was a ruse. As soon as she came close, he grabbed her to force her to lie with him. She pleaded with him not to do this despicable thing to her but her pleas fell on deaf ears. He overpowered her and stole her virginity from her.” Absalom pauses here to gage Mijamin’s response.

Mijamin’s face is dark with anger but he is holding himself still. He says nothing and waits for Absalom to continue. He feels certain there must be more to this story.

Absalom continues. “After Ammon violated Tamar in the most cruel manner he threw her out of his home.” Absalom made certain to speak these last words slowly so Mijamin wouldn’t miss a one of them.

Mijamin’s fists clench and his jaw tightens as he fights to control the anger raging within him. He knows men and he knows the Law of Moses. Ammon did first what only brutes would do and then compounded it by leaving Tamar a shattered woman. One no respectable man would ever marry. By law he was required to marry her and care for her for life but he had thrown her aside with no more consideration than the bones one has picked clean.

Satisfied that Mijamin fully understands Ammon’s crime Absalom lays out the task he has for Mijamin. “It is shearing season and I have invited all the king’s sons to the feast following. Ammon will be in attendance. ‘Mark when Ammon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, “Strike Ammon,” then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant’ (2 Samuel 13:28b). This is justice for lady Tamar.”

Mijamin nods his approval. “I am honored to have been chosen for this task. My lady deserves justice and I would that it come from my hand, as hers once ministered kindness to my family. It WILL be done.”

Sheep shearing is going well. Several of the king’s sons arrived before the day of the feast. They wanted to look at the new breed of sheep Absalom had been speaking so highly of. The fleeces are exquisite! They are dense without being matted and shaved easily. The animals themselves are strong and surefooted. All the brothers are pleased to accept three mating pair from Absalom’s hand.

The feast is underway and all are making merry. Talk of the new breed and the bounty of the meal abound. Wine flows freely around the table. Mijamin has instructed those under him to ensure that the glasses are always full, especially that of Ammon.

Absalom is secretly nursing the same drink while waiting on word from Mijamin. He has set himself some distance from Ammon so as not to arouse suspicion. He does not believe he could keep a civil look on his face if in direct line of sight with Ammon.

Finally Mijamin steps into Absalom’s line of sight and nods his head discretely. Absalom smiles and issues the command both men have been waiting for; “Strike Ammon!”

Mijamin whips a dagger from his belt and plunges it into Ammon’s stomach. “For Tamar” he growls as he twists the knife and slides it upwards.

Those at the table are initially shocked but quickly recover. The scramble over one another in a rush to leave. They are afraid of being next on Absalom’s list.

As the king’s sons make for their donkeys and ride towards Jerusalem, Absalom and Mijamin watch as Ammon breathes his last. “All heard me give the order. You bear no guilt in this.”

“I would have gladly done it for my lady even without your order.”

“I need you to go back to Jerusalem and look after my sister Tamar. I do not know when it will be safe for me to return. All heard my order and my father may send the avenger of blood for me.”

“I will guard her with my life.”

The men go their separate ways, leaving the body of Ammon where it fell.

News travels fast and bad news travels even faster. Word reached David in Jerusalem of Absalom’s acts but they are a bit exaggerated.

“Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left” is the cry of the messenger as soon as he reaches David’s porch.

David stands up, tears his garments, let out a mournful wail and falls to the ground on his face. All those who are in attendance of him did the same. The room was filled with sounds of utter grief.

Jonadab is the only one not joining in this display. He steps over by the side of the king, kneels down and speaks to him. “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Ammon alone is dead. For by command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king’s sons are dead, for Ammon alone is dead” (2 Samuel 13:32b-33).

(to be continued)

David hears Jonadab’s words but doesn’t respond to them immediately. Jonadab watches him as he lies on the ground, crying out in grief. Jonadab looks around while he waits for David to quiet himself. Did he not hear that only one of his sons had died? Didn’t he hear the reason for Absalom’s actions?

As Jonadab looks around he sees a group of men riding fast on donkeys approaching. He is certain it is the surviving group of David’s sons. He alerts David to the group. “Behold, the king’s sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about” (2 Samuel 13:35b).

David raises his head and sees his sons rushing towards him. He jumps to his feet to meet them. Everyone is talking at once and crying out from their grief. No one expected this! Ammon murdered before their eyes. And at the order of Absalom.

The cries of the king’s house fill the night air. Father and sons fall on one another’s necks weeping in sorrow, fear and relief. Sorrow for what has been, fear of what might have been, and relief that no other lives were lost this day.

Miles away Absalom makes his way to his mother’s father. He feels certain he can find refuge there. His name is Talmai and he is the king of Geshur. His grandfather probably won’t go to war against David over him. He doesn’t believe things will come to that. David has been a ‘hands off’ father for most of his life. Even when Tamar was violated David did nothing beyond voice his displeasure. Absalom also believes that Talmai will support him further as Tamar is also his flesh and blood. “Harm one of mine and you harm me” mentality.

Absalom’s choice proved to be correct. He is welcomed into Geshur. He misses being home with Tamar. Her safety was assured before he left because of placing her in Mijamin’s hands. He keeps his ear to the ground so he will be ready to return when the time is right.

In Jerusalem, time passes too and with its passage wounds begin to heal. David has resigned himself to the facts of Ammon’s death. He is ‘mourned out’ over it. But he is daily reminded that one of his sons is still missing. He worries about Absalom. How is he faring? Is he reconciled with the Lord? Does he still love, or at least respect, him? Is he still living? Things any father with a wayward son worries about. David’s heart longs to go to him and bring him home. But what kind of message would that send to his other sons and the people of Israel? For now, he will love him from afar and pray that one day the Lord will return him to his father’s side and to Himself.

 

What would have happened if David had acted on the knowledge of Tamar’s defilement? Would anything less that Ammon’s blood be effective in soothing Absalom’s anger? We will never know now. Absalom’s anger brewed until it could be contained no longer. That is what a seed of bitterness will bring you to.

Tamar was innocent in ALL of this. Her only responsibility, according to the Law, was to cry out for help. In our story, I have Ammon use her own clothing to muffle the sound of her screams.

What kind of father doesn’t come to his daughter’s side after an event such as this? My father would have had his head! I would have taken up for my child TOO! And it wouldn’t take two years before I acted either.

Father God, thank You for the protections You have given my children. None of them have been seriously violated by another. I pray that this NEVER changes. Thank You for protecting me as well

I don’t know if Tamar turned to You for comfort, but I KNOW without a doubt, that You were able and willing to fight for her. I wish she would have shared her story with us. What would she have said? Maybe I will get to ask her someday.