Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

2 Samuel 13 Devotional

When the King Does Nothing

This chapter is painful, and it should be. David's son Amnon becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar, and on his cousin's advice he feigns illness so she will be sent to him. Alone with him, Tamar pleads. She calls it a disgrace in Israel and begs him to stop (13:12-13). He refuses to listen and overpowers her (13:14). Then he hates her and has her thrown out. Tamar tears her robe and goes away crying aloud (13:19). The text never blames her. It records her words and her grief.

The men around her fail her. Absalom tells her to keep quiet for now (13:20). David is furious but does nothing (13:21), and two years later Absalom murders Amnon. The sword Nathan announced (12:10) has entered David's house. God is not named here, but Scripture says he sees trouble and grief and helps those who entrust themselves to him (Psalm 10:14). Where earthly kings fail the wronged, the true King does not look away, and grief like Tamar's can be brought to him.

To think about: Where have you seen a wrong go unaddressed, and how might you bring that grief honestly to the God who sees it?

About 2 Samuel 13: Amnon, Tamar and Absalom's Revenge

David's son Amnon, helped by a scheme from his cousin Jonadab, rapes his half-sister Tamar and then casts her out. David is angry but does nothing, and two years later Absalom has Amnon killed at a feast and flees to Geshur for three years.

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