Amnon
2 Sam 13:1 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.
The sins of David were coming into his family. David had so many wives and mistresses, with many children, so that he could not be a good father and husband. Amnon was the firstborn of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess.
2 Sam 3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
As the firstborn, he was the successor to the throne of David. Now he is lusting after his half sister, Tamar. She and Absalom were children from David's second wife, Maacah, a princess of Geshur.
2 Sam 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
David was certainly unable to share the emotional needs of so many women, and keeping the children obedient to authority and the LORD God, would be a difficult task. There is evidence that David was a passive father, willing to give to his offspring whatever things they desired, anything but a close relationship. The LORD had spoken: one wife and one husband. He had broken God's command and created a mess of a family. There are many messed up families today because of divorce and remarriage. Children of one father or one mother often with children of several relationships. Sometimes there is incest in this type of home. This could be a mess, without Jesus as the center of the family. Repentance certainly is needed in many hearts.
2 Sam 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.
Amnon was vexed by his own lusts, fueled by spirits of lust, so much so that he pined away for his half sister, who was of the age to marry. This was a difficult situation. Godly council from a parent or person of God was needed, but as many do, he went to an ungodly friend for advice.
2 Sam 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
Amnon had a friend, his cousin, who was subtle. There was another in the Bible who was described as subtle.
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
The devil was and is subtle. The next mention of a subtle person was Jonadab. Amnon, beware of the counsel of the ungodly. Listen to your father's words, but do not do what he does. Actually they are the Lord's words, through David.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Each of us knows to do right. We must not follow the workers of iniquity. Know the word of God and then we will walk in the light. Take the authority that Jesus has provided. Flee fornication and bring honor to your Lord.
Way of Lust
2 Sam 13:4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
What Amnon called love was really lust. Many only know this as an example of love. What is love? Lust love cares only for its own desires, often hurting the one it uses for it's own pleasure. This love is lust towards another. When others use you for their own pleasure and then leave you. This is not a good love. Actually it is not even love as used in the Bible, it is from the devil.
2 Sam 13:5 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.
Jonadab wishes to involve David, his father in the plot. Apparently David always gave in to his childrens requests, To being Tamar to his private room, a place to snare her as she lovingly made food for her brother, who must have been a fussy eater.
2 Sam 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
2 Sam 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
2 Sam 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
2 Sam 13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
2 Sam 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
2 Sam 13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
He had her where he wanted her. He wanted to have sex with her. A word of advice to women: do not be alone with a man, for often lust is in their thoughts. Do not give in to them because they promise you love, IF you allow them. They want to satisfy their desires. Most are not looking for your interests, but their own satisfaction. It is not love, but carnal lust.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Lust conceived
2 Sam 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
The law of Moses was strict regarding the taking of a woman outside of marriage.
Deu 22:23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
Deu 22:24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
2 Sam 13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
Would their permissive father allow incest? Maybe not, but it would give Tamar a chance to escape.
2 Sam 13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Satan entices, being the father of lust and anger.
2 Sam 13:15 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.
He hated her and himself. Being enticed he gave in, then that same spirit turned on him, giving him guilt. There was no love in this "love" for Tamar. It was over in a moment leaving behind remorse. They were no longer even friends.
2 Sam 13:16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
He wanted to hide his shame, as Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in the garden. Sin had broken the relationship between God and man as it broke the relationship between brother and sister.
Those of us who have sinned, if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and cleanse us (1 John 1:9) For Jesus is for us, our advocate. In him we are not under condemnation. Satan tries to entice us away from our trust in God, then he brings accusations against us. Let God forgive you by the blood of Jesus. As Jesus said to the woman accused of adultery, I do not condemn you, go and sin no more.
John 8:11 She said, No man (accuses), Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
2 Sam 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
In the physical, he wished to be separated from the remembrance of his sin. We cannot run from sin. Many are always running here and there searching for peace. We must give our sin to God, he alone will remove it and give us peace and restoration, through the blood of Jesus.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Desolate
2 Sam 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
Another with a coat of many colors, Joseph was mistreated by his brothers. This garment of divers colours was to identify Tamar as a virgin princess. She was no longer a virgin.
2 Sam 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
The garment was torn and ashes placed on the head, for mourning, as was the custom. Have you seen a young person with ashes on her head? Maybe not, but many have sorrows from abuse.
2 Sam 13:20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
Tamar was desolate, empty, sorrowful and feeling betrayed. Absalom was the first to understand Tamar's sorrow. He appeared to be a peace maker. " but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing." His words were of forgiveness, but his heart was hurting for his sister.
2 Sam 13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
David was very upset, but he did nothing. He had sinned as well, the children were following the father's example.
2 Sam 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
What seemed to be outward calm, did not reflect the anger in Absalom's heart for his brother, he hated Amnon for what he did to his sister. Anger in the heart is as dangerous as lust towards another. It is powered by the devils spirits. He wishes to steal kill and destroy. Tamar's innocence was stolen, Absalom had murderous thoughts towards Amnon. Satan was trying to destroy David's family. He wants to destroy our families too. We must stay close to the Lord and have hearts of repentance, forgiveness and love, the fruit of God's Spirit.
Murder and confusion
2 Sam 13:23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
Sheep shearing was a time of feasting and celebration.
2 Sam 13:24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
2 Sam 13:25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
Absalom invites his father, king David and his servants to attend the feast, there were many servants. David said no, the expense would too great for you. Apparently Absalom knew his father would decline, so he goes on with his plan.
2 Sam 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
Absalom then asks for his brother Amnon to attend the feast. This caused the king to question him; why should he go with thee? He knew the request to be strange. At these times, we should follow God's spirit. We are alerted by the Spirit of truth when something just does not same right. The enemy plots against us, but the Spirit of God discerns the spirits. David had God's anointing.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
2 Sam 13:27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
David gave in to his request and sent all the princes with Amnon.
2 Sam 13:28 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.
Beware when your guard is down, for satan is looking for an opportunity to strike. Wait until Amnon is at ease and merry with wine, then kill him! What an evil plan. The heart of Absalom knew only bitterness towards Amnon for his offense against Tamar. We need to make peace with all men and be forgiving, for we have been forgiven much. Put aside all hatred and malice.
Absalom looked upon his brother as the enemy of God. He gave his servants the words that God gave to Joshua when entering the promised land and fighting the enemies.
Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Absalom thought he was doing the LORD's work, but was actually serving the devil. Many quote the Bible, some know it quite well. Yet, many use the Bible to condemn and kill. The Spirit of God is peace, love and mercy with righteous judgment. Those who are of His Spirit should seek reconciliation and life.
2 Sam 13:29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
When satan strikes unexpectedly, the first reaction is to flee in fear; satan brings confusion. God has given us a sound mind.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Absalom thought he was bringing justice, but his actions would only bring judgment to him. We must walk close to God and avoid the temptations of the devil. Amnon was tempted, tried to hide his sin, but satan brought another to destroy him. Sin leads to death. God sent Jesus to remove sin and condemnation. We must not leave his protection, but follow in his paths for us, abiding in His presence. In His presence there is forgiveness and peace.
The Kings Sons
2 Sam 13:30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
Imaginations and gossip magnify the tragedy of Amnons death. Lack of information often leads to "what ifs?" The imaginations take on their own life, but they are not a true picture of what has happened. What we see is the devil's confusion making a lie and fear to cause hearts to fail for grief. Stay calm, God has given you a sound mind. Wait on him, do not believe the rumors about tragic events.
2 Sam 13:31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
2 Sam 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
I would be careful of Jonadab, for he was the one who told Amnon how to trap and seduce Tamar. He now appears as a wise and subtle counselor. Beware of the counsel of the ungodly. He is in the role of a righteous judge, when in reality he is a plotter.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
2 Sam 13:33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
Jonadab appears to be the bearer of good news. Perhaps it was he who spread the false report. In this way it makes the death of one son not so tragic and it covers up his role in this matter.
2 Sam 13:34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
2 Sam 13:35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
When a loved one is missing and returns, there is great joy.
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
For those of us who have lost a loved one, come close to God. He loves you and cares for you. You will go to them and now is the time to enjoy the fellowship of family. God's family is everywhere. Do not separate yourself from His family. You need not feel you are alone. Into Geshur
2 Sam 13:36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
One son was gone, but the rest remain. I time of weeping, sorrows and joy at the return of the remaining sons. When a family member is taken, the remaining family are to rally together, for a time of encouragement and fellowship. Even extended family comes together at this time of grief to support those who remain. It is not a time of aloneness and division. We need one another in these times.
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
2 Sam 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
2 Sam 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
Geshur was the kingdom of Absalom's mother. This is why he went there. She had been a princess of Geshur, before marrying David. The marriage strengthened ties with this kingdom. She was the third wife, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.
2 Sam 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
2 Sam 13:39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
Sin had separated this family. David should have punished his son Amnon in some way for the violation of his daughter, Tamar. Still he loved Absalom with a father's love. His lack of justice brought the need for vengeance to Absalom. They were acting in the flesh, in the directions of the devil who incites anger, revenge and separation. The Spirit of God seeks peace, forgiveness and restoration. Recall the anger in the disciples of Jesus; their response in contrast to the words of the Lord.
Luke 9:53 And they (Samaritans) did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luke 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Have you or a loved one fled to Geshur following a tragedy? Is guilt hanging heavy upon your shoulders? Have you taken matters into your own hands, seeking to make your own way? Return to the Lord, give him your burdens, gather with that which remains, under the shadow of God's presence. Be restored, seek peace and love. Forgive offenses, for God's way is the very best way for all.
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