“But then Yonadav, the son of Shim‘ah, David’s brother, spoke up; he said, ‘My lord shouldn’t think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons. Only Amnon is dead; for Avshalom has meant to do this ever since the day he raped his sister Tamar.  So my lord the king shouldn’t take it […]

“Avshalom’s servants did to Amnon as Avshalom had ordered. At this, all the king’s sons jumped up, mounted their mules and fled. While they were on their way, the news came to David that Avshalom had killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them was left alive.“-2 Samuel 13:30-31 When David’s other sons […]

“Avshalom ordered his servants, ‘Pay close attention: when Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine, and I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,’ then strike him down. Don’t be afraid — I’m the one ordering you to do it — but take courage, and be bold.’  Avshalom’s servants did to Amnon as Avshalom had ordered. […]

“Two years later, when Avshalom had sheep-shearers in Ba‘al-Hatzor, near Efrayim, Avshalom invited all the king’s sons.”-2 Samuel 13:23 Two years had passed since Amnon had raped Tamar, and she had fled to her brother, Avshalom’s home. I imagine Avshalom’s hatred towards Amnon intensified during this time. How could it not? There, living inside his […]

David did nothing. That was pretty much the king’s response to his son, Amnon’s horrific rape of his sister. Interestingly, centuries earlier, David’s ancestor, Jacob, acted similarly. Recall that the son of the King of Shechem raped Jacob’s daughter Dinah. What did Jacob do in response? Pretty much nothing. Like David, he got upset… And […]