The doctors were consulted, and when they could not come up with a cure he visited his son, coming to the room where the young man lay. David, however, had been prophetically informed that his young son Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, would succeed him. He watched her, he waited in places where she passed, he could not get enough of her presence, and above all he wanted to possess her. In any case, Tamar was out of Amnon’s reach. David had a number of wives, but one of the most high-ranking was Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai  of the neighboring kingdom of Geshur. He could not force Amnon to marry the devastated Tamar, but he would take his revenge – vendetta was part of Near Eastern culture. There was an error while trying to create your account. When Tamar reached puberty her half-brother Amnon, David’s eldest son, developed an unnatural obsession with his young half-sister. Among them would be Bathsheba, a commoner newly introduced into the harem. But Absalom continues to live in Jerusalem and never sees his father, King David. Amnon sighed in a dispirited way and said he could not eat, but on being pressed by his father admitted that yes, he might be able to eat if his sister Tamar cooked some food and fed it to him. Absalom killed Amnon to avenge his sister's honor, creating a rift between David and Absalom. 9 Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’” Bedrooms in ancient mansions were designed to receive guests/visitors. His mangled story, among many other Biblical profiles, illuminates humanity’s imperfection and propensity to sin. The second Tamar of the Old Testament was the beautiful daughter of David and sister of Absalom. Chapter 13 relates the rather perplexing tale of Amnon’s rape of his half-sister Tamar, their father King David’s failure to react to the rape, the murder of Amnon committed in revenge by Tamar’s full brother Absalom, and Absalom’s flight to avoid punishment. There were three (3) women named Tamar found in my research: The daughter-in-law of Judah, the daughter of David, and Absalom’s only daughter. So everyone left him. 7 David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” When Tamar came to feed him, he grabbed her and raped her. To make matters worse, she seemed to have been intelligent and sexually moral, with only a sisterly interest in him. As a royal princess and a virgin, she was closely watched by the harem eunuchs. The larger narrative in which Tamar’s story is told deals with male matters. [3] ( Tamar was the natural daughter of David by a captive whom he married after she had abjured her Gentile religion, and who became the mother of Absalom. She lived in the women’s quarters, and could not go outside its walls unless accompanied by other women and guards. Tamar is devastated by this horrific ruining of her life. 12:11), and the consequences of sin (cf. Tamar probably had a marriage arranged for her when she was still a child – this was the usual procedure for royal princesses. David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar; and David’s son Amnon fell in love with her. Where could I get rid of my disgrace? Advised by his shrewd and manipulative friend, Jonadab, Amnon pretended to … 20 Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? When he invaded the palace itself, he found that David had left ten of the women of the harem behind him. Absalom, Tamar’s full-brother, found out about the deed, and so did David. She offers life and sustenance to those who fellowship with her in her suffering and find comfort and strength in her voice of wisdom and outrage. 13 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. King David, the flawed hero. “Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said. The only information we have is that Absalom named his daughter Tamar, and the text notes that she was a beautiful woman. Or, rather than Uriel being Absalom's father-in-law, he may rather be Absalom's son-in-law, husband of Absalom's only daughter Tamar. Tamar lives out her days quietly in the house of Absalom, grieves the death of her brother in the civil war, and is ultimately brought home to the court of David so that her father can care for her. Tamar was the beautiful daughter of the great King David and Maacah, a princess from a neighboring kingdom. She could never marry or have children, never have a normal life. It is to be hoped that Tamar did not accompany her brother to Geshur, since her status there would have been even worse that in Israel. But at the center of this storm stood Tamar, her position as darling of the king and petted princess now destroyed forever. The story opens with Judah starting his family. 20:5). The only daughter of King David’s son, Absalom (2 Sam 14:27). Probably not. She was disgraced, and never married. Her half-brother Amnon became obsessed with her. No remembrance of her profound suffering and grief. Absalom's Revolt Succeeds. 16 “No!” she said to him. 1. Looking to help your church and family stay connected to the Word while social distancing?Check out our free church library, church online resources, and family resources. Tamar and her brother Absalom, by Alexandre Cabanel. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.” Perhaps the marriage that had been arranged for Tamar was too politically sensitive to upset, or maybe Amnon thought that David would disapprove of his obsession, seeing it as a weakness. Certainly Maachah was not Absalom's literal daughter, since he had no other daughter but Tamar. But Amnon was not used to being refused something he wanted. Tamar was probably named after the Tamar who became the mother of the sons of Judah (Genesis 38). Nearby were the cooling ashes of the fire she had used to cook his food. Tamar obeyed her father. Tamar is a figure described in 2 Samuel in the Hebrew Bible. But her pleading had no effect on Amnon. For example, we learn nothing of Judah’s wedding to the daughter of Shua, or their relatio… For two years he said nothing, did nothing, but then he set his trap. Tamar is the daughter of David and Maachah, a princess from Geshur. Instead, Maacah may have used what little influence she now had to see that her daughter returned to David’s harem. [30] 2 Samuel 14:28-29 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face. Amnon ignored her words. And what about you? After all, a king could not afford to let emotions interfere with politics. Throughout my life in the church, I had never heard the name Tamar. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. Prince Amnon refused outright to marry her, the callous streak already evident in David now coming out in the son. If she was no longer a virgin no-one would want her, no-one would marry her, even though she was the king’s daughter. He was able to take over the royal city of Jerusalem, and force his father to flee. They would lure Tamar into Amnon’s room on the pretext that her half-brother was ill, and once they were alone there Amnon could have what he wanted. 3:23), discipline for sin (cf. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her. She was a woman of beautiful appearance. She is overcome with grief and despair. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. How were they different? At the height of the festivities when Amnon was half-drunk, Absalom had his half-brother killed, stabbed to death in a scene reminiscent of a Mafia killing. 15 Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” The daughter-in-law of Jacob’s son Judah and widowed wife of Judah’s son Er. David was angry, but did nothing to resolve the situation, or even to punish Amnon for what he had done. No reference to this daughter of King David. This is the happy ending version for David and Tamar alike. 14 But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. He was too strong for her, and he raped her. Her appearance, and the women’s quick realization of what had happened, plunged the harem into turmoil. The Rape of Tamar. With Bible texts and historical information, See the Youtube video of the rape of Tamar, and the anger of Absalom, Daily Life – Prayer – Paintings – Books of the Bible – Bible Paintings, Maacah, a princess from a neighboring kingdom, Bathsheba, a commoner newly introduced into the harem, the same place that David had first seen Bathsheba. Unbelievers of all sorts are … She was wearing an ornate[a] robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. So Uriel was either one of Absalom's three sons or else was Tamar's husband. When her brother Absalom found out what had happened he comforted her as best he could, and moved her out of the harem into his own house. Daughter of Absalom, (2 Samuel 14:7) became, by her marriage with Uriah of Gibeah, the mother of Maachah, the future queen of Judah or wife of Abijah, and you can find more about that here on st-takla.org on other commentaries and dictionary entries. But things did not go to plan. 12 “No, my brother!” she said to him. In either place Tamar’s position would have been lowly, little better than a servant. To cast her out now, a violated woman, was worse than raping her, since it meant the crime continued. When she did this, leaning forward with the food, he took hold of her and pulled her to him, molesting her. He was without pity or remorse. 21 When King David heard all this, he was furious. 17 He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her.” 18 So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. New King James Version To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. 2 Samuel 13:1-32and 1 Chronicles 3:9) tell the sad story of how the beautiful Tamar was shamefully raped by her deceitful half-brother Amnon, who lusted for her and apparently thought he loved her. They might still marry, she argued. Since the place that he did this was almost certainly on a roof terrace of the palace, it was quite possibly the same place that David had first seen Bathsheba, an ironic twist noted with relish by the narrator of the story. Tamar’s legacy continues through Absalom’s daughter, also named Tamar, 57 and through the kings of Judah. Absalom cared for Tamar in his own home and would not speak to Amnon. Tamar, daughter of Absalom (palm tree). She then set the food before him, but Amnon, pretending to be petulant and out of sorts, refused to eat. 8 So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went. Tamar was not Absalom’s wife, but his daughter (2 Samuel 14:27), who was named for Absalom’s beloved sister (2 Samuel 13:1). He gave a feast for all David’s sons. David, gullible in matters regarding his sons, immediately sent for Tamar to come and tend her brother. With her hand on her head, the sign of a bereaved woman, she staggered through the palace corridors crying aloud, until she reached the harem quarters of her mother. Thus, both their parents were royalty, while Amnon’s mother, Ahinoam, a woman from Jezreel, a village located in south Judah, was a commoner. He lured her to his room and raped her, then refused to marry her. Amnon and Tamar. There seemed no opportunity for Amnon to get her alone, let alone into his bedroom. He would not even use her name: ‘Put this woman out of my presence, and bolt the door after her.’. The health of a king’s eldest son was no small matter, and David was concerned. After telling Absalom of her plight, her brother encourages her to keep the matter to herself, which she does, while he plots revenge. Absalom’s hatred for Amnon had also a political implication. When Amnon had finished his brutal business, his feelings for Tamar suddenly changed. This caused consternation in the court. Your Faithlife account signs you in to all our sites. She resisted him as best she could, she argued and pleaded, pointed out that what he was doing was wrong, that they could marry if he wished, that rape would bring ruin to them both. Tamar was the sister of Absalom, David’s firstborn son by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshu. Law and custom required her to obey her father, and in any case she would have been escorted by her own servants. In 2 Samuel 13, she is raped by her half-brother Amnon. Heb. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman. 2 Samuel 13 describes the interaction between David’s daughter Tamar, David’s first son Ammon, and David’s third son Absalom. This would mean that Micaiah is actually the daughter of Tamar and Uriel, and the granddaughter of Absalom. 2 Samuel 13:1-39 ESV - Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar.And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved … Prince Absalom was Tamar’s full brother. Please try again soon. Even though Tamar’s hopes were dashed, she had love, security, and acceptance in her brother’s home. Tamar, whose story is embedded in the ancestor narratives of Genesis, is the ancestress of much of the tribe of Judah and, in particular, of the house of David.She is the daughter-in-law of Judah, who acquires her for his firstborn son, Er. Maacah, another wife, was mother of … Who was Tamar? “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. 3 Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. 3 Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Then she had a daughter Tamar, noted for her beauty; also another son Hanan He must have discussed his obsession with a friend of his, a clever cousin called Jonadab, because this young man came up with a plan. The story is precise in its details; every word here is saturated with significance—not a kind of spiritual or scriptural significance, but an aesthetic significance. He marries a woman—named only for her father, as bat Shua, the “daughter of Shua”—and she gives birth to three sons. Two years later Absalom commanded his servants to murder Amnon in revenge (2 Samuel 13:28–29). The story of Tamar, David’s daughter, is told in 2Sam 13:1-22. After Er’s death, she married his brother Onan. The other two Tamars are both tragic figures, women who were ruined by … In this story, Amnon, Tamar’s half-brother, was consumed by lust for his sister. Tamar, a daughter of King David. 13-1 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. But her brother Absalom was not so accommodating. Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Tamar, Daughter of David: (9th century BCE) Daughter of David, sister of Absalom. It appears that Absalom named his daughter after his sister. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. The sisters of Tamar and Amnon would also have been intimately affected. (1. pp. In a seeming fit of temper he then ordered everyone out of the room, and because he seemed ill and cranky his servants obeyed. Bible People: David Tamar, Daughter-in-law of Judah: (a) Originally married to Judah's son Er. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.” But he refused to listen to her. He shouted at her to get out of his room, get out of his sight, but she pleaded with him, trying to retrieve something from this desperate situation. 517-518) Our study will be restricted to Tamar, David’s daughter. She plunged her hand into them and put the ashes onto her disheveled hair. Did the murder of Amnon help Tamar in any way? And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. Absalom was one of King David’s sons, and his scriptural story reads like a modern-day soap opera. Ahinoam was King David’s first-place wife and mother of Amnon—David’s firstborn son—the crown prince of Israel. Absalom considered himself the heir to the throne, for now that Amnon was dead, he was the next in line of succession. Absalom certainly cares for his sister—later naming his own daughter after her (14:27). Maacah was the daughter of a neighboring king She married King David and lived in King David’s harem She bore David’s third son Absalom, an exceptionally handsome boy. Then he went to the King and demanded that Amnon marry his sister – marriage between a half-brother and sister was a possibility in this extreme case, though biblical law prohibited it elsewhere. Tamar was the daughter of David by his wife Maachah, who was a Geshurite princess. 11 But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.” Little Tamar, it is recorded, grew up to be a beautiful young woman, too. Then as she staggered away she tore the front of her richly embroidered outer robe as a sign of her despair. Exod. The three women most affected were Tamar, her mother Maacah, and Ahinoam, the mother of Amnon. At that time it would have been a possibility, though not a preferred one. He was advised to rape these ten women publicly, on a roof top in full view of the city, so that there could be no doubt that the act had been done. Instead he did what many people have done when confronted with rape or incest – he protected the abuser rather than the victim, and tried to hush things up. 2. Alone and unguarded, she had no chance of fending him off. The name suggests food, security, life. Absalom’s revolt against David was not successful, and the young man died after a terrible battle. Tamar, unprotected by her father, betrayed by her own brother, lived in Absalom's house, a desolate woman, without the possibility of marriage or children because she was no longer a virgin. Outside Tamar collapsed onto the floor, wailing. Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 4 He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? He had his servant literally throw her out of the room. Absalom names his ONE DAUGHTER TAMAR after his sister who he loved. Don’t do this wicked thing. Absalom and Tamar were the children of Maacah, who was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Since David did nothing to remedy the wrong, people around Tamar were powerless to help the girl. Maacah had two children, both of them extraordinarily good-looking. 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