Her brother Absalom saw her and asked, “Is it true that Amnon has been with you? Well, my sister, keep quiet for now, since he’s your brother. Don’t you worry about it.” So Tamar lived as a desolate woman in her brother Absalom’s house. When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry. — 2 Samuel 13:20-21 NLT
Our Bible verse today is one of the saddest stories of violence and injustice against women in the Bible. This is the tragic story of Amnon’s infatuated and lustful love for his half-sister, Tamar, which led him to rape and humiliate her.
When David heard what Amnon did, though he was furious, he did not take any action against Amnon. David’s inaction of no protection and justice for Tamar, and no retribution against Amnon, did not sit well with Absalom.
Under the Mosaic law, Amnon’s actions fall under offences that carry the capital punishment. So why didn’t David take action against Amnon? It could be because he is the king and he has the final say on what happens in the kingdom. It’s also possible that, because Amnon is the firstborn male child and heir to the throne, he couldn’t really punish him. Or because he had no moral ground to punish Amnon because of his own indiscretions with Bathsheba.
Absalom was grieved that his father, David, did not punish Amnon for the atrocities he committed. Absalom harboured his anger against Amnon and his father’s inaction for over two years until he hatched his plan to take revenge and commit murder.
David’s failure to protect and provide justice for Tamar is a major factor that led to Absalom murdering Amnon. It can be argued that Absalom may also have had another ambition to succeed his father by finding a way of getting rid of Amnon, who is the firstborn and successor to the throne.
This story highlights the level of injustice in the world. When you see injustice play out in our world, including the church, you become frustrated and angry that you can’t do anything about it. Or you are angry that you allowed yourself to fall a victim.
In the chorus of the classic song, “There’s No Justice” by George Jones, he said,
There’s no justice in this world anymore
Sometimes I ask myself what am I livin’ for
If wrong can triumph over right
If we are licked before a fight
There’s no justice in this world anymore
We have heard of atrocities committed against young children and women by religious institutions and corporate organisations, but these were covered up to protect the perpetrators. Because of how powerful and influential these perpetrators can be, the victims are often not believed and are denied justice for many years.
It was right for David to be angry about what happened, but wrong for not acting. It was equally right for Absalom to be angry, to wait two years, effectively giving David the opportunity to provide justice for Tamar. But it was wrong for him to take justice into his own hands.
This story serves as a warning to leaders. When you fail to confront wrongdoing, this can leave the victims damaged physically and emotionally. It can also open the door for people to take justice into their own hands, often in destructive and damaging ways.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 