A friend named Jonadab said to Amnon: Lie down upon thy bed, and feign thyself sick: and when thy father shall come to visit thee, say to him: Let my sister Thamar, I pray thee, to give me to eat, and to make me a mess, that I may eat it at her hand.
Amnon to Thamar: Bring the mess into the chamber… come lie with me, my sister…
Thamar to Ammon: Do not so, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not thou this folly. For I shall not be able to bear my shame, and thou shall be as one of the fools in Israel: but rather speak to the king, and he will not deny me to thee.
But Amnon would not hearken to her prayers, but being stronger overpowered her and lay with her.
No more explicit or worse sin in the Bible, only to be exceeded by the following:
Then Amnon hated her with an exceeding great hatred: so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before.
Amnon to Thamar: Arise, and get thee gone.
Thamar to Amnon: This evil which now thou dost against me, in driving me away, is greater than that which thou didst before.
A brother defends his sister’s honor (same though different mother from Amnon)
Absalom to Thamar: Hath thy brother Amnon lain with thee? But now, sister, hold thy peace, he is thy brother: and afflict not thy heart for this thing.
And when King David heard of these things he was exceedingly grieved: and he would not afflict the spirit of his son Amnon, for he loved him, because he was his firstborn.
Absalom hated Amnon because he had ravished his sister.
Absalom to his servants: Strike Amnon, and kill him; fear not for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men. And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them.
Absalom fled, and went to… Gessur… and King David ceased to pursue after Absalom, because he was comforted concerning the death of Amnon.
Lust, then revenge, what is next in this part of the Story of David?
A fellow named Joab, uses a wise woman to show David his heart in that we all want to reconcile with our children no matter the deed, theirs or ours.
King David to Joab: Behold, I am appeased and have granted thy request: Go there fore and fetch back the boy Absalom… let him return into his house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his house, and saw not the king’s face.
King David tried to keep his son Absalom at a distance but that did not work over time:
Absalom to Joab: I beseech thee therefore that I may see the face of the king: and if he be mindful of my iniquity, let him kill me.
So Joab going in to the king, told his all: and Absalom was called for, and he went in to the king: and prostrated himself on the ground before him: and the king kissed Absalom.
And Absalom, once close to his father the king conspires to overthrow him and lures away David’s counselor who is evidently God to the people of Israel. Absalom and Achitopel move away to be able to organize and return to Jerusalem with a hero, godly and kingly welcome:
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Absalom, moreover when any man came to him to salute him, he put forth his hand and took him, and kissed him. And this he did to all Israel that came for judgment, to be heard by the king, and he enticed the hearts of the men of Israel.
Absalom to King David: For thy servant made a vow… saying: If the Lord shall bring me again into Jerusalem, I will offer sacrifice to the Lord.
King David to Absalom: Go in peace.
And Absalom arose, and went to Hebron
And Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying: As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, say ye: Absalom reigneth in Hebron. Now there went with Absalom two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, going with simplicity of heart, and knowing nothing of the design.
Absalom also sent for Achitopel… David’s counselor.
And while he was offering sacrifices, there was a strong conspiracy, and the people running together increased with Absalom.
And there came a messenger to David, saying: All Israel with their whole heart followeth Absalom. And David said to his servants, that were with him in Jerusalem: Arise and let us flee: for we shall not escape else from the face of Absalom.
I am amazed that the king would abdicate in this situation without a fight but later we shall see there might have been a pent up hatred of David by people who remembered the reign of his father Saul.
David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet…
And when David was come to the top of the mountain, where he was about to adore the Lord, behold Chusai… came to meet him… I am thy servant, O king: as I have been thy father’s servant, so I will be thy servant: thou shalt defeat the counsel of Achitopel…
King David to Chusai: you shall send by them (Sadoc and Abiathar, the priests and their two sons) to me everything that you shall hear.
Then Chusai the friend of David went into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Here is where this biblical story gets a little hard to believe but then again is there any sin that is not a surprise in the world we live in today?
Semei cursed King David: Come out, come out, thou man of blood, and thou man of Belial. The Lord hath repay thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.
King David: Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David… Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.
But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and Achitopel was with him.
Chusai to Achitopel: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king… for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him I abide. Besides this, whom shall I serve? Is it not the king’s son? As I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.
Achitopel to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house, that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.
So they spread a tent for Absalom on top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.
Now the counsel of Achitopel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God…
Amazing a seemingly traitor; a powerless curser who is left along to live and to curse in hopes of the Lord will be favorable to the powerful curse; and a public rape to the nth degree presumably under the auspices of Achitopel’s god?
Sodom and Gomorrah here we come—a biblical rape, Absalom deposes his father King David, and now all of Israel watches a mass public rape?
Day 107: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Biblical rape, a Son Deposes a Father, and All of Israel Watches…
Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Kings Chapters 13-16
Bible Notes:
This Book tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.
2 Kings Chapter 13: Amnon loves Thamar; Ammon ravishes Thamar; Amnon angrily sends Thamar away; Thamar sorrows in Absalom’s house; David grieves for the sin of Amnon; Amnon accompanies Absalom to Baalhasor; Absalom causes Amnon to be slain; David hears rumor of many murders; David learns the truth; Absalom flees to Gessur.
And it came to pass after this, that Amnon the son of David loved the sister of Absalom the son of David, who was very beautiful, and her name was Thamar… so that he fell sick for the love of her…
A friend named Jonadab said to Amnon: Lie down upon thy bed, and feign thyself sick: and when thy father shall come to visit thee, say to him: Let my sister Thamar, I pray thee, to give me to eat, and to make me a mess, that I may eat it at her hand.
Amnon to Thamar: Bring the mess into the chamber… come lie with me, my sister…
Thamar to Ammon: Do not so, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not thou this folly. For I shall not be able to bear my shame, and thou shall be as one of the fools in Israel: but rather speak to the king, and he will not deny me to thee.
But Amnon would not hearken to her prayers, but being stronger overpowered her and lay with her.
Then Amnon hated her with an exceeding great hatred: so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before.
Amnon to Thamar: Arise, and get thee gone.
Thamar to Amnon: This evil which now thou dost against me, in driving me away, is greater than that which thou didst before.
Absalom to Thamar: Hath thy brother Amnon lain with thee? But now, sister, hold thy peace, he is thy brother: and afflict not thy heart for this thing.
And when King David heard of these things he was exceedingly grieved: and he would not afflict the spirit of his son Amnon, for he loved him, because he was his firstborn.
Absalom hated Amnon because he had ravished his sister.
Absalom to his servants: Strike Amnon, and kill him; fear not for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men. And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them.
Absalom fled, and went to… Gessur… and King David ceased to pursue after Absalom, because he was comforted concerning the death of Amnon.
2 Kings Chapter 14: The plan of Joab to restore Absalom; The woman of Thecua pleads for her son; The woman of Thecua pleads for Absalom; David discovers the intrigue of Joab; David allows Absalom to return; Children born to Absalom; Reconciliation of David and Absalom.
And Joab the son of Sarvia, understanding that the king’s heart was turned to Absalom… fetched from thence a wise woman… feign thyself to be a mourner… and thou shalt go to the king… and Joab put words in her mouth…
David: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth
Wise woman to King David: Why hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God, and why hath the king spoken this word, to sin, and not bring home again his own exile? We all die, and like waters that return no more, we fall down into the earth: neither will God have a soul perish, but recalleth, meaning that he that is cast off should not altogether perish. O King… for thy servant Joab, he commanded me, and he put all these words into the mouth of thy handmaid… but thou, my lord, O king, art wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to understand all things upon earth.
King David to Joab: Behold, I am appeased and have granted thy request: Go there fore and fetch back the boy Absalom… let him return into his house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his house, and saw not the king’s face.
Absalom to Joab: I beseech thee therefore that I may see the face of the king: and if he be mindful of my iniquity, let him kill me.
So Joab going in to the king, told his all: and Absalom was called for, and he went in to the king: and prostrated himself on the ground before him: and the king kissed Absalom.
2 Kings Chapter 15: Absalom wins the affection of Israel; Absalom goes to Hebron; Absalom’s conspiracy; David flees from Jerusalem; Ethai’s loyalty to David; David returns the ark to Jerusalem; David ascends mount Olivet; David learns of Achitopel’s conspiracy; Chusai sent to spy on Absalom.
Absalom, moreover when any man came to him to salute him, he put forth his hand and took him, and kissed him. And this he did to all Israel that came for judgment, to be heard by the king, and he enticed the hearts of the men of Israel.
Absalom to King David: For thy servant made a vow… saying: If the Lord shall bring me again into Jerusalem, I will offer sacrifice to the Lord.
King David to Absalom: Go in peace.
And Absalom arose, and went to Hebron
And Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying: As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, say ye: Absalom reigneth in Hebron. Now there went with Absalom two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, going with simplicity of heart, and knowing nothing of the design.
Absalom also sent for Achitopel… David’s counselor.
And while he was offering sacrifices, there was a strong conspiracy, and the people running together increased with Absalom.
And there came a messenger to David, saying: All Israel with their whole heart followeth Absalom. And David said to his servants, that were with him in Jerusalem: Arise and let us flee: for we shall not escape else from the face of Absalom.
King David to Servant Ethai: return thou, and take back thy brethren with thee, and the Lord will show thee mercy, and truth, because thou hast shown grace and fidelity.
Ethai to King David: as the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth: in what place soever thou shall be, my lord, O king, either in death, or in life, there will be thy servant be.
King David to Ethai: Come, and pass over. And Ethai… passed, and all the men that were with him, and the rest of the people.
All the people marched that way that looketh to the dessert. And Sadoc the priest also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God.
King David to Sadoc: Carry back the ark of God into Jerusalem: if I shall find grace in the sight of the Lord, he will bring me again, and he will show me it, and his tabernacle.
David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet…
Infatuate, O Lord, I beseech thee, the counsel of Achitopel…
And when David was come to the top of the mountain, where he was about to adore the Lord, behold Chusai… came to meet him… I am thy servant , O king: as I have been thy father’s servant, so I will be thy servant: thou shalt defeat the counsel of Achitopel…
King David to Chusai: you shall send by them (Sadoc and Abiathar, the priests and their two sons) to me everything that you shall hear.
Then Chusai the friend of David went into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
2 Kings Chapter 16: Miphiboseth’s possessions given to Siba; Semei curses David; David refuses to have Semei killed; Chusai promises to support Absalom; Absalom defiles his father’s wives.
And the wine to drink if any man be faint in the desert
Semei cursed King David: Come out, come out, thou man of blood, and thou man of Belial. The Lord hath repay thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.
King David: Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David… Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.
But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and Achitopel was with him.
Chusai to Achitopel: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king… for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him I abide. Besides this, whom shall I serve? Is it not the king’s son? As I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.
Achitopel to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house, that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.
So they spread a tent for Absalom on top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.
Now the counsel of Achitopel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God…
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