THEME: 2ND BOOK OF SAMUEL
TOPIC: THE COSTLY ERROR
TEXT: 2ND SAMUEL 13
Please Click to Read the Bible Passage FIRST; 2ND SAMUEL CHAPTER 13
1: 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.
2: 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.
3: But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
4: 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.
5: 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.
6: 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.
7: Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.
8: 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.
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12: And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
13: And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
14: Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
2Sa:13:15: Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16: And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17: Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
18: And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19: And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
20: And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21: But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
STUDY INTRODUCTION
It was revealed in the previous study how David killed an innocent man (Uriah the Hittite) in an unattempt to cover-up his sexual sin which he committed with the man’s wife (Bathsheba). Today’s bible reading (2nd Samuel 13) shows that sexual sin causes dysfunctions in the family
Though, David found forgiveness and grace after his sin with Bathsheba yet, the consequences of his sin for both him and his family were very real and painful. Nothing would be the same after David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba. The trajectory of his life changed course in chapter 11, and his family was tragically impacted. As the consequences of his sin told on his children; Amon, Tamar, and Absalom.
Consequences of sexual sin in the Family
1. Unforgiveness: Amnon, Absalom and Tamar were David’s children. After Amnon raped Tamar his brother’s (Absalom) sister. Absalom waited for two years before he could avenge her sister by sending his servants to murder Amnon at a feast. Sexual sins can make husband and wife, parent and children not to forgive each other for life, despite that they live together under same roof..
2. Revenge: Unforgiveness leads to revenge as seen in the case of Amnon and Absalom (2nd Samuel 13:28).
3. Tears Relationship Apart: After Amnon had raped Tamar he hated her more “Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone (2Sa:13:15).
As a result of this Absalom also develop hatred for Amnon because of her sister until he killed him. David also became of enemy of Absalom to the extent that he was moved to arm him (2Sam 13:39) when he heard that he killed his brother. Even when David was consoled by Joab, he still insisted not to behold Absalom. In same way many homes, family, friendships has been teared apart because of sexual sin.
Questions for Discussion
1. Discuss other Consequences of sexual sin as regard the bible passage (2Sam 13) studied
2. Discuss other Consequences of sexual sin to homes, family and friendship in this cotemporary time
CONCLUSION
Sexual sin is something that many people do not talk about because of the personal stigma attached to it. Sexual sin can include a list of various sins: adultery, fornication before marriage, lust, etc. Because it seems to be a more secret sin, the enemy makes the lies of temptation very easy to rationalize away YET it is a sin that capable of eating up a generations. Even the life of David the anointed did not only portray God’s goodness and mercy but also shows how impactful the consequences of sexual sin . Sexual sin (in any form ) destroys lives, relationships, and families.