King James Version
The Book of 2 Samuel
Chapter 13
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Commentary
2 Samuel 13
Amnon is dead. Absalom had him killed. It was two full years after Amnon had forced himself on his sister Tamar, that Absalom exacted his revenge. It was not a surprise to some that Absalom would do this. In those days it was not altogether out of the question to see corruption so common as this. It was not uncommon for siblings to lay together. Amnon's only hesitation was that she was a virgin. Tamar even told him to ask the king, he would not deny this thing. I don't know if David would have permitted it, but I do know that Tamar was not completely adverse to the idea, if done in a proper way. I think her biggest issue was that she was no longer a virgin, and that a decent man would not now have her. This was likely the resentment that Absalom had with Amnon, as well. It didn't seem unreasonable that he layed with her as much as it was a very big deal when he sent her away. Had he kept her for a wife or concubine, perhaps she would have been fine with it.
If you are reading this now, perhaps you are as stunned as I am. Perhaps you totally can't believe what we have just read. Can such a thing really occur in the house of David, the apple of God's eye, a man after God's own heart? Maybe you are wondering how David's children could even have such things in their hearts in the first place. Try to understand, David married women from nations that did not honor or follow the Living God, the Great I Am. They worshiped pagan gods, and they practiced rituals that are strictly forbidden in the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses, also known as the Covenant, was still highly revered in the time of David's kingdom. IN fact, the Ark was mentioned only a couple of chapters ago. It is not acceptable to do these things. There are consequences for infractions. God has not changed His mind about the Law. Not even David and his house are exempt from the Law.
Even when a person is called to a position of high authority; even if God ordains such, as is the case with David, that person still has a free will of choice. God had promised David that He will not withdraw His mercy, as He did with Saul, but that He will establish His name in the house of David forever. God is just, also. Should such things as these occur, God is faithful to bring about justice. God will punish the wicked. God will also do this in a way that promotes growth and improves him. He chastens those whom He loves.
David had already experienced God's justice when he had Uriah killed, and took his wire for his own. God took their first child. Their second child will have this curse, but God will still work with him to do great things. Solomon was not exempt from God's laws, either. However, the corruption was so common and so deep, and even accepted as natural, it was difficult to determine if their hearts were right, but that they were simply misguided. God deals with our hearts. He knows, as we know, if we intend good or evil. We are not hopelessly lost and can't discern right from wrong. We are designed with the ability to associated good from evil. We could be born and live our lives on a castaway island somewhere in the vast ocean and still know in our heart what is right or wrong. Its deep in our hearts. It prompts us and it nudges us. It gently guides us in our path. This is the Holy Spirit. This is God. He will never leave or forsake us. He will chasten those whom He loves.
Friday, October 22, 2010 - 8:00 AM
