Observation and Interpretation
(1) The "love" of Amnon
13:1 Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. In the course of time David’s son Amnon fell madly in love with her. 2 But Amnon became frustrated because he was so lovesick over his sister Tamar
13:4b So Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar the sister of my brother Absalom.”
(NAC) Tamar was closely related to Amnon (cf. v. 1)—too close to permit a sanctioned sexual relationship (cf. Lev 18:11; 20:17; Deut 27:22)—emphasizes the fact that Amnon was contemplating an act strictly prohibited by the Torah. Amnon’s so-called “love” ...was a sensual craving for sexual gratification that was just as earthly, unspiritual, and devilish...
15 Then Amnon greatly despised her. His disdain toward her surpassed the love he had previously felt toward her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and leave!”
17 He called his personal attendant and said to him, “Take this woman out of my sight and lock the door behind her!” Amnon had never loved Tamar, but she was just an object of his lust. He called her, "this woman" and ordered her to leave after he had raped her.
Reflection: Even when Amnon thought he "loved" Tamar to the point of being lovesick, it was pretty clear that she was just an object of his lust. Do we have the wrong concept of what love is? Is it just our lust?
(2) The LORD's help for David
15:31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel has sided with the conspirators who are with Absalom. So David prayed, “Make the advice of Ahithophel foolish, O LORD!”
32 When David reached the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite met him with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
32 When David reached the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite met him with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
(NAC) 15:31–32 Compounding David’s woes was the news that Ahithophel, David’s most valued counselor, was “among the conspirators with Absalom” (v. 31). Knowing that he himself was powerless to deny Absalom the benefits of Ahithophel’s wisdom, David offered a desperate plea to the Lord.
The very next recorded event following David’s prayer concerning Ahithophel was the king’s encounter with “Hushai the Arkite” (v. 32), who was awaiting David at an ancient worship site “at the summit” of the Mount of Olives. This narrative juxtaposition of David’s prayer with the appearance of Hushai is no accident: it is the writer’s demonstration that the Lord was answering David’s prayers even in exile. The Lord’s love for David was steadfast; as in David’s earlier years (cf. 1 Sam 18:12, 14, 28; 2 Sam 5:10), so now also the Lord was with David.
Result:
Absalom listened to Ahithophel's advice and had high regard for him (16:19-23), but G Absalom did not listen to him anymore and turned to Hushai (17:1-14) even when Ahithophel's idea seemed like a good idea to all the leaders of Israel 17:4. Ahithopher was so frustrated that he hanged himself and died 17:23.
Absalom listened to Ahithophel's advice and had high regard for him (16:19-23), but G Absalom did not listen to him anymore and turned to Hushai (17:1-14) even when Ahithophel's idea seemed like a good idea to all the leaders of Israel 17:4. Ahithopher was so frustrated that he hanged himself and died 17:23.
Why? 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite sounds better than the advice of Ahithophel.” Now the LORD had decided to frustrate the sound advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD could bring disaster on Absalom.
Reflection: Even though the incident from ch 13-18 was the consequence of David's sins (12:10), God heard David's prayer when he repented (12:13) and now helped David when he asked for help (15:32). It is striking to see how God works in the heart of Absalom even though he was not a person who believes in God. Do we trust God to change the mind of unsaved people for our benefits? (Romans 8:28) Do we trust God to change the mind of world leaders for our benefits? (Proverbs 21:1)
Reflection: Even though the incident from ch 13-18 was the consequence of David's sins (12:10), God heard David's prayer when he repented (12:13) and now helped David when he asked for help (15:32). It is striking to see how God works in the heart of Absalom even though he was not a person who believes in God. Do we trust God to change the mind of unsaved people for our benefits? (Romans 8:28) Do we trust God to change the mind of world leaders for our benefits? (Proverbs 21:1)
Audrey
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