Tamar, who had been violently raped by her brother, is now experiencing the results of this violation. She was running down the street screaming and crying along the way, putting her hand on her head, throwing dust on her head, with her beautiful torn robe. All these emotions indicated the depth of her grief.
Her royal robe was now torn, an indication that she was no longer a virgin, and all who saw her or heard about it knew of her plight. She was violently raped and abandoned by her perpetrator, her own brother, and his friend who designed the plot, Jonadab.
Her entourage, which came with her, supported her in her time of need. Her brother, Absalom upon seeing her then asked her, “Did your brother Ammon do this to you?” She confessed to him that he had. He told her, “Do not take this too hard, for this is your brother.”
Although, when David heard about this crime, he did nothing. He did not act. But he was very angry. Why? Absalom said to Tamar, “Do not say or do anything. I will help you.”
She stayed at Absalom’s house. Her rape meant she would be desolate and perhaps unmarried for the rest of her life. Her brother said to her, “Right now, just wait.” Wait? Maybe Tamar wondered ‘where will I go? What will I do? Who would care for me?’ This is a 15-year-old young girl. Where is justice for her?
Absalom waited and said neither good nor bad to his brother Amnon. After two full years, Absalom waited to avenge the cause of his sister. It was during sheepshearing season, a time of joy and celebration. He asked his father David to go. He did not go.
Absalom asked if the other sons could go. And he asked if Amnon could go. The king questioned why Amnon should go. Absalom was insistent. David conceded. David had unknowingly participated in Amnon’s murder. Maybe he should have followed his first mind.
Absalom ordered those servants who were with him to wait until Amnon’s heart was joyous with wine and then “strike him.” They did as he had commanded. Absalom was mighty afraid and ran away. He stayed gone for about three years.
David’s heart was longing for the return of his son. An appeal went out through Joab, who told the woman of Tekoah (a wise woman) to make the emotional appeal and plea to the king for Absalom’s return.
She structured her appeal in such a way as to influence the king to bring back his son, Absalom. The king accepted the appeal and Joab, who was what I term a dear friend of the family. Absalom returned. It appears that Absalom’s heart was still heavy and dissatisfied with the way that his father handled the situation of Tamar’s rape by the other brother.
Absalom attempted a coup to take over the kingdom. It was unsuccessful. David led a very challenging life. One jealous revengeful person was Saul, the first king of Israel. His jealousy might be termed close to insane jealousy. He persisted in pursuing David to take his life.
These lessons learned from the scriptures offer valuable ways to view life and profit from the ancient wisdom of the prophets which can help us today through life’s difficulties. These things might have happened hundreds of years ago; however, their teachings are the wisdom over the ages that we can learn from.
One act can happen, but the results and consequences of the act usually extend far beyond and cannot be counted.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Or Questions? Please let me know. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible – II Samuel 13 & 14, Cyclopedia of Biblical Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. Don’t stop praying and hoping. “Today is another great day to do good and be successful.
