TAMAR, DAUGHTER OF DAVID
(A
study concerning avoiding incest: morals and ethics)
RAPE AND INCEST: Tamar suffered not only rape but incest, which would disallow marriage. All cases of rape do not necessarily disqualify the victim from marrying the rapist. In order to understand what is Biblically acceptable concerning the close relative law of marriage, you must realize that God's commandments were given in dispensations. From the beginning, Adam and Eve were the progenitors of the whole earth. Thus, hypothetically, through regeneration, the earth could not have been filled with people without one of their sons having sex with one of their daughters. However, the close relative law was not in effect at that time (before the giving of the first law era).
PROGRESSION OF LAW REFINEMENTS OR REDACTIONS: We have the first law era (actually more moral than the redaction era), the second law era (redaction of Moses), and the fulfillment era, all progressing in relative respect to future time. Even later on, as the world passed, what was once permitted in Jacob's time was incriminated in Lv. 18:18. As time (concerning man) continued, God's laws were increased and written. Eventually and finally, the New Testament books were written.
AMNON'S DESIRE UNWARRANTED: Nevertheless, Amnon's act of incest was against the giving of the first law era (Leviticus 18:9-11), and the law was not changed or modified by the second law nor the fulfillment era. Whether Tamar recognized (2 Samuel 13:12) the moral offense was specifically against the law or not, her opinion is not of most importance, the law of her time (second law era) was the deciding factor as to accepted sexual morality. (By the way, it is evident that God noticed the authority of Moses and men concerning the second law [Dt. 24:4] when He said, “They say... ” [Jeremiah 3:1 KJV]).
TAMAR'S FEAR AND COMPLAINT: Nevertheless, she realized the rape was shameful and foolish: “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. 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go?” (2 Samuel 13:12, 13) She knew she would have to live with perpetual shame (defilement effect) if Amnon committed such perversity. Nevertheless, it should be considered that Tamar rightfully complained. She was not passive to the suggestion of immorality. However, even though the scream clause is for betrothed virgins, which Tamar was not, whether she seemed passive as to the physical assault and failed so as to take the opportunity to scream (Dt. 22:24) for help is at question. There were no others in the room, but people may have been in distance of hearing the sound of a call for help.
THOUGHT OF INCEST IS NOT MORAL AND EASY TO TALK ABOUT TO RIGHTEOUS, SENSIBLE PEOPLE: Amnon knew he could not lawfully marry his sister so he certainly wouldn't expose his foolish thought by asking his father, King David, for his permission to marry his sister. Therefore, no dowry price was considered before the calamity. Once Amnon completed his sexual desire, due to the incest status, neither did he pay a bride price (Dt. 22:28, 29) for a virgin afterward, and beside the fact of incest and Tamar could not be given in marriage under such horrible circumstances, virgins who married could not be divorced (Deuteronomy 22:29). So, Amnon, without legality for marriage, could not give her a written release (divorce papers, Dt. 24:1-3) so as she could marry another. Therefore, Tamar was left desolate (verse 20: having to live as a deprived widow, but only worse, with a man of incest cognizant of her intimacy, without having legality and chastity to offer another man while Amnon was living). Damage control and a life of sexual abstinence and singleness was her only option.
Leviticus 18:9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. 10 The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. 11 The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
TREACHERY UPON TREACHERY: THE INCEST CAUSED AMNON HIS LIFE THROUGH A MAFIA-STYLE DEATH: King David had several wives, and he had two sons by different mothers, Amnon and Absalom. Tamar was impliedly a full (from the same father and mother) sister to Absalom. After being enraged by the horrendous rape committed by his half-brother Amnon, Absalom plotted to kill him. Eventually, he did. King David was comforted (2 Samuel 13:39) by the death of his own son because of the wickedness of his deed.
BIBLE HISTORY IS A SOURCE OF WISDOM AND GUIDANCE FOR NATIONS: Nations should have laws punishing to an extreme extent concerning rape and incest. Without a deterrent for sexual crime, especially with the lack of a homogeneous community for protection (others mutually caring for their race and culture), chaos is left. Actually, inter-racial rape would be considered an act of invasion in a moral, homogeneous community.
According to the Old Testament, when rape of a virgin occurs, she is required to marry (Dt: 22:28) the rapist. (Please acknowledge this rule did not violate the genetic, race prescription in Nu: 36:5-13. Also, note the intolerance of the attempted, inter-racial marriage of Dinah, and the sharing of posterity of Ishmael by Sarah. Racial and cultural homogeneity is expected to be preserved.) This sexual assault may have been considered a great loss to the female victim, but if the sexual aggressor was a boyfriend or someone that the father accepted as a good man but just couldn't handle his sexual appetite at the time, he may have been obligated to approve it. Nevertheless, the father has the authority (Ex. 22:16) to finalize the decision as to marriage according to particular circumstances of seduction.
However, violations involving fornication at the least give reason for divorce and suffering. From a more profound point of view, if men did not harass or attempt to entice a woman, many cases of immorality would never occur. Many poor or even pitiful but acceptable homes would not be broken. Many young children would not have to grow up in havoc, poverty and family disgrace. The destruction of posterity, physical and psychological damage can be prevented. Therefore, even the lesser offenses such as harassment should also be severely avenged by the state.
Years ago, many state laws in the USA were much more vengeful on offenders, especially the more destructive such as adulterers and rapists. Illicit sex called for the death penalty (Dt. 22:22) in the Old Testament. Chastity and enforcement of community protection against unchastity is not only a personal requirement of Biblical leadership; it was, and still is a family and community need (video and documentary)! We must restore community, racial and cultural homogeneity, and our biblical institutions.
2 Samuel 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. 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.
Even relatives conspire evil deeds against one another. Jonadab, a cousin of Amnon, suggested the plot to fulfill Amnon's unlawful lust that ended in the grief and ruin of some of David's offspring. Bad relationship deeds begin with bad thoughts, and with people on the inside of a family or organization.
3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. 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. 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. 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. 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
First thoughts of satisfaction and self-gratification against the will of others are not enduring. They are wicked and deserve accountability. They don't end in peace, happiness and delight. Amnon's supposed, short-lived orgasm could not have been worth the end of his career and life. Imagine the guilt or haunting secrecy he must have lived with even before his treacherous, last meal. He caused pain for Tamar, a loss of her hope for a marriage and fulfilling future.
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.
Tamar thought their separation (tacit but not legitimate divorce because it was not a legitimate marriage) was worse than an incestal marriage, which was not permitted by the law: “The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.” (Leviticus 18:9)
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.
Amnon, after giving his wickedness and hormones a time of pleasure, had a completely different attitude toward his sister. Nevertheless, it was too late for restoration. Sins of such can't be called back or repaired.
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.
Tamar had chastity (virginity) and fashionable, beautiful things of women of honor. Her half-brother, an animal-like creature and predator, along with the aid of his cousin accomplice Jonadab, stole the value of these things and her future from her.
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. 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. 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.
Absalom took revenge for the wicked deed of Amnon, and David eventually had peace over the revenge of his deeds (verse 38). May God give us peace of our suffering due to the fraudulent, insider business rapes of our government Constitution, which upheld biblical institutions. May every suffering female individual who has been raped of her future and posterity be avenged for the wicked deeds of her predator rapist, and her parents or guardians be relieved. Let us give our vengeance unto God. Amen.
21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 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. 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. 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. 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? 27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 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. 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. 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. 31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 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. 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. 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. 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. 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. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
Links:
Three Eras of Law: First, Second and Fulfillment (New Covenant)
Basic Principles of Marriage Law
Fornication Recovery and Damage Control after Adultery
A Study of Michal, King David's First Wife
The Anti-Racial Intrusion upon Dinah, Jacob's Daughter
Understanding the Torah (Law Eras)
Heretics and Defiled Marriages