2 Samuel 13

There is so much sin in this world, and so much glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:7 says, “In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” This great Son of David is the answer to our formidable needs, and we cry out to Him even now for deliverance. “Come, Lord Jesus!”

No other descendant of David matched Jesus in His incomparable holiness. Some of David's sons were remarkably wicked. In 2 Samuel 13 we have the account of Amnon, the son of David who raped David's daughter, Tamar. This despicable event ultimately led to the death of two of David's sons and to a rebellion that threatened David's continued reign as king.

The rape of Tamar was the suggestion of Amnon's cousin. The two young men even dared to involve David in their plot, asking for him to send Tamar to Amnon's house so that should could bring food to him in his supposed sickness. When she came to him, he took her by force despite her pleadings. After he raped her, he despised her and sent her away, again against her urgent plea. She left his chamber as a woman whose life had been violently destroyed.

Tamar lived as “a desolate woman” in the home of her brother, Absalom, who was also David's son. He knew what Amnon had done and he hated him. David was angry about what had taken place, but we have no record of him bringing justice against Amnon for his attack against his sister. Absolom, Tamar's brother, plotted revenge secretly, and eventually murdered Amnon.

This vengeance took place after two full years and also involved King David. David gave permission for his sons to attend a celebration feast at Absolom's insistence. Before the party was over, Amnon had been murdered by Absolom's servants at their master's instruction.

The initial report that reached David's ears incorrectly announced the death of all David's sons who had been at Absalom's feast. But it was Amnon's original counselor, his cousin, who gave David the truth. Absalom had planned and ordered the murder of Amnon because of the rape of Tamar.

With this vengeance accomplished, Absalom fled for his life. Amnon was dead, and Absalom was gone, and the king mourned.

“How long, O Lord!”

David and his children no longer live on the earth, but we do live here. Now it is our time to mourn. But it is also our time to believe the promises of God. We look in hope to the Lord for the coming day when rape and murder will be gone forever. Even now that day of kingdom victory is secure in the death and resurrection of the perfect Son of David.

We should not imagine that the coming of a kingdom of perfect holiness was an easy accomplishment. It could never have been attained by the power of good laws or by the most excellent parenting, as good as these gifts are. As we seek to follow the Lord in obedience to His Word, we are keenly aware of our need for Him.

The problems described in 2 Samuel 13 were very deep. The solution would be very costly. One of David's descendants would have to die a better death than the murder of Amnon. Jesus the Messiah, the sinless One, died on the cross for us. This was the only way to defeat sin and death. His resurrection from the dead is the beginning of a victory that could never have been accomplished in any other way.

We must not imagine that any other son of David could have accomplished the justice and mercy that we so desperately need. In Jesus of Nazareth the fullness of deity dwells bodily. His thoughts, words, and actions are fully of God. He came as God in the flesh. His death and resurrection are a source of great consolation to those who will receive His Word today. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom of perfect holiness.