Daily Devotional for Wednesday, January 10

Absalom and Tamar

“And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar,” 2 Samuel 13:22.

Absalom’s attitude toward his sister Tamar stands in strong contrast to the way the sons of Jacob acted towards their sister Dinah. The Bible says that Dinah was defiled by an uncircumcised man named Shechem (Genesis 34:2). She was violated by this man. When Jacob’s sons, her brothers, heard what Shechem had done, they were very angry. Her brothers Simeon and Levi “slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house…and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister” (Genesis 34:26, 27).

When Absalom encountered Tamar after she was forced to lay with her half brother Amnon, he appeared dismissive. “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” (2 Samuel 13:20). I often wonder what Tamar thought about Absalom’s tepid response. The Scriptures eventually tell us that Absalom was secretly plotting Amnon’s death (verse 23), but it took two full years for Absalom’s plan to be realized. His servants murdered Amnon (verses 28, 29).

I am extremely protective of my family. Not only the wife and children God has blessed me with, but my siblings, parents and extended family members. I will protect them from anyone. It is hard for me to grasp the approach that Absalom took with his sister. It is even harder for me to understand how Amnon could do what he did, but I am reminded of what James says in his letter. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14, 15).

JUST A THOUGHT
“For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). It is never right to do wrong, even if you are defending family.

Chris Floyd