Tamar A Raped Princess

Word of the Day: Violated

The crime of forcing another person to submit to sexual intercourse.

David had many wives and concubines, and among all the children he had a beautiful daughter, and her name was Tamar. Both Tamar and Absalom the third son of David were born by Maacah. Amnon, David's first son, was born by Ahinoam; and he was in love with Tamar.

2 Samuel 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.

1 Chronicles 3:1

Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess…

Her half brother, Amnon, could not overcome her beauty and his own lust, and because she was a virgin he thought it would be hard for him to have her. Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadad the son of David's brother. This friend who was also a close relative was very crafty in this thoughts.

2 Samuel 13:2-4

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 anything 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.

Jonadad told Amnon to lie down and to pretend that he was sick, with the action came the next one. Amnon requested the king David for Tamar to be the one to bring his meal and to feed him during his illness. David approved his request not knowing his evil thoughts.

2 Samuel 13:5-7

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.

Having no reason to be suspicious of her brother Tamar agrees to come to be his servant. Once she was there she baked cakes and offered him, but Amnon refused to eat them and ordered all the servants to leave but Tamar to stay with him.

2 Samuel 13:8-10

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.

Once all the servants were out of the room he asked her to lie down with him. She protested, she resisted, and she begged him by using wise words; but he did not listen and forced her. She even suggested to request the King their father to give Amnon permission to marry her, but she was not able to escape his violence.

2 Samuel 13:11-14

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.

After satisfying his lust the love he had towards her turned into hate. He told her to get up and leave. This means, that the love he had for her was not truly love as true love never fails. He threw Tamar out of his house by asking his servant to put her outside and close the doors once she was out. He basically just satisfied his need and dispose of her as if she was a piece of trash. Very sad story:(

2 Samuel 13:15-17

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.

Tamar dressed like the typical virgin daughter of a king with so many colors, but as soon as she was out of Amnon's house she tore her dress and put ashes on her head because of the grief of humiliation. I honestly can't imagine how she felt, but the Bible clearly describes her grief. Tamar kept herself desolated in Absalom's house for two years.

2 Samuel 13:18-20

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.

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.

Her father, King David, did nothing to punish Amnon. Although the Bible says that he was angry no action came after that. Two years after the rape Absalom decided to take matters into his own, by sending his servants to kill Amnon while he was drunk.

2 Samuel 13:21

But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

2 Samuel 13:28-29

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

Conclusion: Although Tamar was the daughter of the king her royal status did not provide that protection she needed, nor provide the process of healing. But if you are someone who has gone through something similar to Tamar you can rest assure that you can find that process of healing in only our God "the God of all comfort". Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2 Corinthians 1:3

*Please let me know if this post has been a blessing to you through a comment, for it would be a blessing for me to know.

have added some verses down below for those who are not sure if heaven is your future home. Please share with me if you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior through this post. I will be happy to rejoice with you!

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9–13