Amnon Rapes His Sister II Samuel 13

II Samuel 13:2 "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."

A note to start: The name Ammon (with two m's) was a place where battles were fought, the name Amnon is the name of one of David's sons.

v1 "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."

It is important to remember the relationships here. Absalom was the daughter of the king of Geshur where David made a raid in a previous chapter. Amnon was Absalom's half brother and was born of a Jezureelitess (those original inhabitants who were not cast out of Jerusalem). Amnon was David's firstborn in Hebron. (Chapter 3) I cannot find who the mother of Tamar was but she may have been of Absalom's mother since verse 1 points out that Absalom had a fair sister.

Without going into great detail, Amnon tricked Tamar into cooking for him in his sight, using his sickness as an excuse. When he got her alone, he forced himself on her. She begged him not to and to only ask the king for her, but Amnon took the cheap way.

v15 "Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone."

Even then Tamar told him to not send her away that sending her away after the act was worse than the act herself. No one likes to be used and cast aside.

Absalom told his sister to hold her peace. He then hatched a two year plan to get back at Amnon. He was neutral with Amnon during this time. He had a slow burning hatred for him.

In sheep shearing time, Absalom invited all the sons of David to the celebration. While there he had his servants kill Amnon while he was merry with wine. Then Absalom fled to the country of his mother's birth, Geshur.

v28 "Now Absalom had commanded his servants,saying Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not, have not I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant."

I'm of two minds concerning why this is happening in David's household. On the one had, I remember many sermons where it is said that this was all part of the punishment for David's great sin with Bathsheba. But we learned that the Lord laid that sin aside although taking the child to remove any reward for sin. On the other hand, I think of the Davidic Covenant where it is promised that David's kingdom would be established forever. We find in Chronicles that Satan, himself, showed up to tempt David to sin in numbering the people. So, I've thought that these things may have been an effort on the part of Satan to destroy the Davidic Covenant and prevent the establishment of the forever kingdom. (Remember Cain and Abel) Regardless, we all know that Satan is always on the job doing his destruction to God's children.

v39 "And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead."

Psalm 51:7 "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Keywords: Old Old Story, Bible Study, Old Testament, Samuel, David, Absalom, Tamar, Amnon, Geshur, Milton Southerland. Amnon's sin with is sister.