2 days ago I told ya'll I had read about David and Bathsheba and Amnon and Tamar. We discussed how David's lust consumed him to the point of adultery, murder, and lies. Although David eventually repented (2 Samuel 12:13) and God did forgive him, he did not escape the consequences of his sin. One of the consequences was that his son with Bathsheba died as a child. (2 Sam 12:14-19) Furthermore, David passed down the consequences of his sinfulness to all his children.
"As a result of David's sin with Bathsheba, God said that murder would be a constant threat in his family, his family would rebel, and someone else would sleep with his wives. All this happened as the prophet Nathan had predicted (2 Samuel 12:11-14.) The consequences of sin affect not only us but those we know and love. Remember that the next time you are tempted to sin." --from the NIV Study Bible
To study more about how sin is passed down through generations check out:http://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/exodus/the-sins-of-the-fathers/.
Anyhow, that is a completely different study, but last time we talked about David and his lust. Today we are going to talk about his firstborn son Amnon and his lust. Stay with me, this story is intense.
The Story of Amnon and Tamar
2 Samuel 13
"In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David."
The world 'love' here actually translates from Hebrew as "to have a sexual affection for," in today's words: lust. So basically this verse tells us that Tamar was Amnon's half-sister andAmnon lusted after her A LOT. He wanted to sleep with her. Kinda weird I know...but just wait.
Verse two says that Amnon got to the point that he was "frustrated with her," because she was a virgin and it seemed impossible for him to (excuse my language but,) "hit that."
If we stop right there we could have a whole lesson...I mean this guy is so sexually charged that he wants to have sex with his virgin half-sister. Yet because she is his half-sister, and is very honored and set apart for her virginity, he is completely frustrated to the point he wakes up "haggard" morning after morning. We all know this is obviously wrong, he should have stopped, had a heart check, prayed for forgiveness, and repented from these evil desires. Let's see what he does though.
Verses 3-5 tell that Amnon asked his friend for advice on how to lay his sister. His friend is so kind and sweet to help out (sarcasm) that he gives Amnon a plan of how to get his sister alone with him. And Amnon thinks its a great idea and follows the plan!
Verses 6-11. Amnon LIES about being sick and asks his father to send in his sister Tamar to take care of him. (See, guys are sneaky.) So Tamar comes to his room, cooks him bread, and serves it to him, and at this point there are other servants around the room. Amnon (being the prick he is,) says EVERYONE GET OUT!! He then asks his sister to feed him with her hands. (Come on now, how low does this guy get?)
Verse 12. When Tamar (who is just trying to take care of her sick brother,) goes in to feed him,Amnon grabs her arm and asks her to sleep with him. Tamar replies, "Don't my brother! Don't force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! don't do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could i get rid of this disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel."
Verse 14: "But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than he, he raper her."
Verse 15: "Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved (lusted) her. Amnon said to her, 'Get up and get out!'"
Amnon was consumed with lust. He had lied and lied to get what he wanted, and after he got it he still wasn't satisfied. In fact he was filled with hatred. I think he was filled with hatred because he was disgusted with himself and disappointed that he let it go that far.
My bible says: "The difference between lust and hatred is very short." It goes on to explain that because Amnon kicked her out of his room, it made it look like she had come on to him. And because there were no witnesses, people had to believe that. Also, because she was no longer a virgin, all of her chances of getting married were ruined. Later on Amnon is killed by his brother who seeks revenge on Tamar's behalf.
I don't think Amnon thought having sex would ruin someone's chance of marriage, hurt his family, leave him unsatisfied, and ultimately lead to his death.
Girls, right now your going through a time in your life where sex is obviously a huge pressure. Guys, friends, the media, possibly even you parents are encouraging you to submit to your lust and just have sex. This is not God's will for one thing. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8) And also, look at how giving into lust effected David's life. Then look at how it effected his family and his son's life.Look how it effected his sister. Sex may seem like a great way to satisfy your "fleshly desires," but in the end you will be left wanting more, unsatisfied, and pushed farther away from God--which is a miserable place let me tell you. This is what the devil wants (1 John 10:10) but God has something much better for you in store.
To read the full story of Amnon and Tamar look up 2 Samuel chapter 13.
What we can learn from David and Amnon:
- We reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7-8, 2 Corinthians 9:6)
- Our sins are carried down through the generations. (Exodus 20:5, 1 Kings 22:51-53)
- Giving in to our worldly desires DOES NOT satisfy us. (2 Samuel 13:15)
About the rape, that is a whole other topic, but if you would like to talk about that feel free to ask me. As for now I am closing this post up. I hope ya'll learned a lot today.
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