Tamar was wearing a long robe with full sleeves, the usual clothing for an unmarried princess in those days. She sprinkled ashes on her head, tore her robe, and with her face buried in her hands went away crying.
Tamar did well to expose Amnon’s crime and not to hide the rape in shame. Sin is so hideous.
When her brother Absalom saw her, he asked, “Has Amnon molested you? Please, sister, don’t let it upset you so much. He is your half brother, so don’t tell anyone about it.” So Tamar lived in Absalom’s house, sad and lonely.
A future broken, a life interrupted, all to satisfy the fleeting desire of one man. Tragic. SELF.
When King David heard what had happened, he was furious.
Amnon was David’s beloved first born and so he did nothing. His weaknesses which had remained hidden were now being exposed and would be again later on (2 Samuel 19:1-9). Please continue to protect me from mine being exposed (whatever they are), Father – only by your grace.
And Absalom hated Amnon so much for having raped his sister Tamar that he would no longer even speak to him.
Was David aware that God’s punishment for his sin was finally coming to pass (2 Samuel 12:10-11)?
Two years later Absalom was having his sheep sheared at Baal Hazor, near the town of Ephraim, and he invited all the king’s sons to be there. He went to King David and said, “Your Majesty, I am having my sheep sheared. Will you and your officials come and take part in the festivities?”
“No, my son,” the king answered. “It would be too much trouble for you if we all went.” Absalom insisted, but the king would not give in, and he asked Absalom to leave.
But Absalom said, “Well, then, will you at least let my brother Amnon come?”
“Why should he?” the king asked. But Absalom kept on insisting until David finally let Amnon and all his other sons go with Absalom.
Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king and instructed his servants: “Notice when Amnon has had too much to drink, and then when I give the order, kill him. Don’t be afraid. I will take the responsibility myself. Be brave and don’t hesitate!” So the servants followed Absalom’s instructions and killed Amnon. All the rest of David’s sons mounted their mules and fled.
This is a case study on how to avoid suspicion: patiently waiting (2 years!), picking a festive event requiring guests (sheep shearing), insisting that his father the king come (knowing he’d refuse) and only then insisting on Amnon’s presence (people tend to acquiescence after a refusal). The operative word for Absalom is cunning, which would be seen yet again later (2 Samuel 15:13-14). A leapard can’t change his spots…
…Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shammah, said, “Your Majesty, they haven’t killed all your sons. Only Amnon is dead. You could tell by looking at Absalom that he had made up his mind to do this from the time that Amnon raped his sister Tamar.”
This coming from the same person that advised Amnon to rape Absalom’s sister (2 Samuel 13:1-5)! Does this mean that he was in league with Absalom? (He took care to position himself here as being observant as opposed to being informed!) Conspiracy was indeed Absalom’s style (2 Samuel 15:12). Did he have an informed Jonadab near David to limit the fallout of his actions?