When the Chickens Come Home to Roost

O. T. #715 "When the Chickens come Home to Roost"
March 15, 2016
2 Samuel 13


LET IT GLOW

If the events in chapter 13 were a movie, I would turn it off so I didn't have to watch such things. but, it is not, and it is written in the Scriptures, so we will discuss it instead of skipping it. Sadly, numerous times these things have and are happening in our nation.

People won't get by with their sinful acts. There are consequences that are paybacks. We can be thankful to God for His grace and mercy and He doesn't give up on us. However, the chickens do come home to roost.

There are two main events in this chapter-David's daughter Tamar is raped by his son Amnon; Absalom, their brother, takes revenge and kills Amnon. Whew! And some say the Bible is boring.

Who was whom?
David had many sons by various mothers and at least one daughter named Tamar. Absalom, David's firstborn, and Tamar were brother and sisters by the same parents. Now Amnon was only their half brother by a different mother, making the 3 half siblings. The other person involved in this mess was Amnon's cousin, Jonadab.

So, with those straight, we can continue the story:

• Amnon thought he was deeply in love with Tamar. Cousin Jonadab helped him devise a scheme to get Amnon alone with her so he could have his way with her. In other words, Amnon was encouraged to commit sexual sin.
• Amnon pretended to be sick and Tamar brought him his favorite food to eat, with her feeding him. The conniving guys' plan worked.
• When Amnon demanded Tamar to lie with him, but she refused, reminding him that it (fornication) was forbidden  in Israel (Deut.22:28-29). Amnon's love was actually lust wanting to be satisfied. 
• Tamar knew it would bring shame upon her and warned Amnon that he would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. She proposed that Amnon speak to the king about them getting married instead.
• Tamar's words did not stop Amnon and he raped her by force.
• Amnon's so called love, actually lust, turned to hate and he made Tamar leave the room afterwards.

There is a difference between love and lust.

Life Application Study Bible explains:
Although he claimed to be in love, Amnon was actually overcome with lust.
Love is patient; lust is harsh.
Love does not demand its own way; lust does. Read 1 Corinthians 13.
Lust may feel like love at first, but when physically expressed, it results in self-disgust and hatred of the other person. If you just can't wait, what you feel is not true love.

That is good advice for our young people today.

LET IT GROW

By throwing Tamar out, it looked like she made the shameful proposition, seduced him. There were no witnesses. His crime destroyed her chances of marriage in Israel.

Tamar's reaction was one of sorrow and shame. She tore her virgin's robe and put ashes on her head, crying. When her brother Absalom saw her, he told her to keep quiet about the matter and live in his house. It was as if it was a family matter and he would take care of it later (2 years later). David heard about the matter, but he was angered but did not confront Amnon about it. Absalom deeply hated Amnon for this.

We will leave the story there. Oh, it does continue. David, your chickens did come home to roost. Your sin was duplicated, only worse, it was in the family.

Do we see an example of how our sin can continue on in our family?

LET IT GO

Always keep my guard up so lust does not enter my life.

Be sure that my love is always for my husband.

Warn others when signs of danger are lurking around them.