2 Samuel 13:1 says, 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. David's son Absalom had a sister, Tamar, who was loved, or lusted after, by David’s son Amnon, who evidently was a half-brother to her. Matthew Henry says Amnon, though a son of David, must not have been of good moral character to have these feelings. We as Christians cannot ensure that our children do not have sinful thoughts. Of course, David had not always set a Godly example, and it is possible that at times we may not either. Verse two adds, 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. Amnon’s lust for his sister made him sick because he didn't feel that he could act on it because of her purity. Sin can make us physically sick if it becomes an obsession that we cannot act on, but that is better acting on it. Verse three continues, But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. Amnon had a friend who was a subtil, or sneaky man we might say. If we are looking to sin, we can most likely find someone who is willing to help us. Verse four states, 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. Jonadab, Amnon’s friend asked him why he was so lean, or sad, from day to day being the son of the king. Others may think that our status in life should keep us happy and give us certain rights that others don't have, but as Christians we are all equal in God's sight. Amnon told Jonadab that he loved his brother's sister, but I believe a more accurate statement would have been that he lusted for her. Verse five continues, 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. Jonadab devised a plan for Amnon to be alone with his sister. He was to go to bed claiming to be sick and when David came to ask about him, he was to ask that Tamar bring him food and feed him. We may find others who are willing to assist us if we want to commit some sinful action. They might even be willing to plan things out for us. Verse six says, 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. Amnon put the plan in action. Now, I would think that David would have been curious about why it had to be Tamar who did this, since he had plenty of servants. Sometimes, we may need to question the motives of others when they ask for something, and a followers of Christ, we need to at least ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit at all times. I believe that had David been in prayer about the situation that God would have allowed him to see the truth about what was happening. Verse seven adds, Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat. David simply did as Amnon had requested and sent Tamar to him. David became an accomplise in Amnon's plan, even if it was as an unwitting one. If we do not stay attuned to God's will we may be unwittingly used by people of the worldcto accomplish sinful purposes. Verse eight continues, 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. Tamar did as David had instructed her to do and went to Amnon’s house and baked him some cakes in his sight. She was just an obedient daughter, and we should make certain that we never put our children in a harmful situation when they are simply being obedient to us. Verse nine states, 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. After Tamar baked the cakes, Amnon refused to eat until all the men were sent out of the room or house. I have to wonder if anyone became suspicious of Amnon’s motives. If we are confronted with what seem to be strange or unnecessary actions in a particular situation, we need to ask why this is necessary and not just blindly comply, even if the person telling us to do something is in a position of authority over us. Verse ten continues, 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. Amnon then asked Tamar to bring the food into his chamber so that he could eat from her hand, and she did. She still had no reason for alarm, and we may be drawn closer to a sinful situation if we are not spiritually alert.
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