The Second Book Of Samuel. Day 45, David's Son Absalom Murders His Half-Brother Amnon

We learned in Thursday's study that David did nothing when he found out his son Amnon had made his half-sister Tamar go to bed with him. The Bible told us David was "furious" but we aren't told that he said or did a thing to his eldest son and heir-apparent to the throne. Several times over the past few days we've looked at what the law said about a man like Amnon: he owed the woman's father fifty shekels of silver as a bride price, and if the father was willing to have him as a son-in-law he had to marry the woman and could never divorce her. If the father didn't want the man in his family, the payment of the silver was still required as both a hefty financial penalty for his wrongdoing and in recognition that the father may now be unable to find a husband for his daughter; in that case the father would be supporting his daughter in his own household as long as he lives. The silver would help offset the cost of that. 

David had a duty to take action, not only as the king of Israel but as Amnon's and Tamar's father. His son dishonored his daughter, which is a deplorable thing, but David could have restored her honor by making Amnon marry her immediately. In the list of forbidden unions contained in the book of Leviticus, siblings and half-siblings were forbidden to marry each other, but under the circumstances it would be better to break that law in order to correct a wrong done to Tamar when an even bigger law was broken by her brother. A marriage between the two of them doesn't mean they'd have to maintain a physical or emotional relationship with each other if they didn't want to but the law required Amnon to support her for the rest of his life. As the crown prince of Israel, he can well afford to support her along with any other wives and concubines he would have taken in the future. According to our text yesterday, the Bible appears to indicate that Tamar remained unmarried for the rest of her life and was supported financially by her brother Absalom. People in Tamar's day felt sorry for women who remained unmarried and at least, if David had made Amnon marry her, she would not have had to endure anyone's pitying stares whenever she went out in public. Plus, if David had enforced the law against Amnon, it would have shown Amnon that he is not above the law and that there are consequences for doing wrong.

Because David did nothing, Tamar's full brother Absalom decides to do something. He intends to avenge his sister's honor no matter how long he has to wait for an opportunity to do so. The opportunity comes along two years later, after Amnon thinks his crime has been swept under the rug. You may have heard the expression, "Revenge is a dish best served cold," and that's how Absalom is going to serve it to Amnon. No one in the family, least of all Amnon, suspects a plot against his life. "Two years later, when Absalom's sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king's sons to come there. Absalom went to the king and said, 'Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?'" (2 Samuel 13:23-24) Sheepshearing was a festive time, much like harvest time. A man would call together all his servants and all his family members and there would be a huge feast to celebrate the wool harvest. Absalom is inviting David and the members of his household to a party. 

David declines the invitation for himself and his household, stating that they are too many in number for Absalom to comfortably put them up for several days and that it would be too great of an expense for Absalom to feed so many. "'No, my son,' the king replied. 'All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.' Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave his blessing." (2 Samuel 13:25) Did Amnon know David would decline his invitation? I think it's very likely he did. It could be that David had declined the invitation in previous years or it could be that Absalom knew David would not do anything to cause any of his sons extra expense or extra trouble. If Absalom believed David would not come to the sheepshearing, then the invitation he extends is just part of his plan to get Amnon within his clutches, for when David declines the invitation for himself and his household, Absalom then suggests that Amnon attend the feast in David's place. "Then Absalom said, 'If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.'" (2 Samuel 13:26a) As David's heir-apparent, it was probably quite common for Amnon to act as a stand-in for him. Amnon would have been learning the business of being king and would sometimes have handled business affairs and social affairs on David's behalf.

To anyone other than David, Absalom's request for Amnon to attend in his place would have seemed normal. But even though two years have passed without Absalom avenging his sister's honor, David fears there is still bad blood between the two men. He wants to know why Absalom wants Amnon to be present at the feast. "The king asked him, 'Why should he go with you?' But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king's sons." (2 Samuel 13:26b-27) David sends all of his sons with Absalom, not just Amnon. It may be that he feared an altercation would break out between the two men, so he sends all his sons along to help keep the atmosphere civil. Or it could be he didn't want his other sons to feel slighted by not being invited, so he sends them all. Some scholars think Absalom requested the presence of all of his brothers, not just Amnon, so it wouldn't seem suspicious that he wants Amnon to attend. However, the Bible only mentions him specifically inviting Amnon. 

Absalom sets the stage for his brother's murder. "Absalom ordered his men, 'Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, 'Strike Amnon down,' then kill him. Don't be afraid. Haven't I given you this order? Be strong and brave.'" (2 Samuel 13:28) We don't know how Amnon felt about being invited to this feast. I do not think he had any inkling whatsoever that his life was in danger but he may have expected a very strained atmosphere due to how he treated Absalom's sister. But David tells him and the other brothers to go and he goes, perhaps only out of a sense of duty. After he's had a big meal and has drunk several glasses of wine, he's feeling merry and relaxed. He's let his guard down regarding any fears he may have harbored about getting into a verbal or physical fight with Absalom. That's when Absalom orders his men to strike. "So Absalom's men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king's sons got up, mounted their mules and fled." (2 Samuel 13:29) 

The other brothers flee this scene of violence. They may think Absalom, who is third in line for the throne according to birth order, intends to kill them all so he alone will have any claim to the kingship when David dies. Or it could be that they simply panic when Absalom's men fall upon Amnon and cut him down and, horrified by this unexpected bloodshed, they automatically react by fleeing in shock. 

Tomorrow we'll find David being advised of the death of his firstborn son and presumed heir to his throne. Just as he took no action against Amnon for raping Tamar, he takes no action against Absalom for plotting for two years to murder his brother and then carrying out his plans. What exactly David should have done to Absalom I cannot say since there are several extenuating circumstances at work here, but I think he realizes his failure to discipline Amnon led to Absalom's festering, ever-growing hatred for his half-brother. Faced with the fact that he could have done something to prevent things from going this far, David mourns his broken relationship with Absalom (for Absalom will flee the area) more than he mourns the death of his eldest son.