July 22, 2010
Obsession → Blame → Revenge. What a list of characters: Amnon, Jonadab, Absalom, Tamar.
Amnon – becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar to the point it controlled his life and all his thinking. He eventually follows the advice of a friend and devises a scheme; pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, ask him to have Tamar come to give you something to eat. Tamar comes. Amnon watches Tamar prepare the food knowing what he is going to do to her, and all he can think about is his own lust. He sends everyone else away and rapes Tamar. After Amnon was successful in getting what he wanted, his "love" turned to hatred and he sent Tamar away. For two years he was not held accountable for his actions. Then two years later (when he least expected it), he was betrayed and killed by Absalom.
Tamar – beautiful and innocent. Tamar was totally unaware she was in danger. She went to help Amnon and does what he asked (prepares his food) only to be assaulted and raped. She tried to reason with Amnon, but he overpowered her and his obsession turned to hatred and then to blame and he forced her to leave in shame. Tamar was honest about what happened, but no one came to her defense. Instead, she was told to keep quiet about it. Her father did not defend her honor and she lived in Absalom's home desolate, sad, and lonely. Just like David described in Psalms 140:5 – traps were set along her path.
Jonadab – a nephew of David. A shrewd man, an instigator. He's friends with Amnon and can see that he is upset and moping around. So he comes up with a plan. Pretend you are sick. Lure Tamar to your room, then do whatever you want. Then Jonadab sits back and lets it happen. Later, he knows Absalom is boiling with rage and will avenge what Amnon has done, and again he sits back and let's it happen. When it finally happens he shows no remorse and instead is proud to "comfort" David by saying, "Don't worry...it's not all your sons that are dead, it's just Amnon."
Of all the horribly wrong things the characters in this story have done, what Jonadab did infuriates me!!!! He knew! He knew what this would do to Tamar, Amnon, Absalom, and the entire family; but he didn't care. He started a fire then stood back and let it burn, and had the audacity to watch it happen. In my opinion he is just as guilty of rape and murder as Amnon and Absalom.
Addendum: 3/4/14 ~ Sometimes the details of traversing through a stormy time in your life can just be nauseating. Early this morning, while it was still dark, I realized an old hymn was running through my mind. "What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms." Here are the words to the hymn:
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Obsession → Blame → Revenge. What a list of characters: Amnon, Jonadab, Absalom, Tamar.
Amnon – becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar to the point it controlled his life and all his thinking. He eventually follows the advice of a friend and devises a scheme; pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, ask him to have Tamar come to give you something to eat. Tamar comes. Amnon watches Tamar prepare the food knowing what he is going to do to her, and all he can think about is his own lust. He sends everyone else away and rapes Tamar. After Amnon was successful in getting what he wanted, his "love" turned to hatred and he sent Tamar away. For two years he was not held accountable for his actions. Then two years later (when he least expected it), he was betrayed and killed by Absalom.
Tamar – beautiful and innocent. Tamar was totally unaware she was in danger. She went to help Amnon and does what he asked (prepares his food) only to be assaulted and raped. She tried to reason with Amnon, but he overpowered her and his obsession turned to hatred and then to blame and he forced her to leave in shame. Tamar was honest about what happened, but no one came to her defense. Instead, she was told to keep quiet about it. Her father did not defend her honor and she lived in Absalom's home desolate, sad, and lonely. Just like David described in Psalms 140:5 – traps were set along her path.
Jonadab – a nephew of David. A shrewd man, an instigator. He's friends with Amnon and can see that he is upset and moping around. So he comes up with a plan. Pretend you are sick. Lure Tamar to your room, then do whatever you want. Then Jonadab sits back and lets it happen. Later, he knows Absalom is boiling with rage and will avenge what Amnon has done, and again he sits back and let's it happen. When it finally happens he shows no remorse and instead is proud to "comfort" David by saying, "Don't worry...it's not all your sons that are dead, it's just Amnon."
Of all the horribly wrong things the characters in this story have done, what Jonadab did infuriates me!!!! He knew! He knew what this would do to Tamar, Amnon, Absalom, and the entire family; but he didn't care. He started a fire then stood back and let it burn, and had the audacity to watch it happen. In my opinion he is just as guilty of rape and murder as Amnon and Absalom.
Addendum: 3/4/14 ~ Sometimes the details of traversing through a stormy time in your life can just be nauseating. Early this morning, while it was still dark, I realized an old hymn was running through my mind. "What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms." Here are the words to the hymn:
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
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