David-Absalom's Revenge

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 13

From Absalom's Journal

photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

Two years ago, Amnon, my half brother did a cruel thing. He hurt my sister, Tamar.

I still remember the day when she ran to our family home, crying. This wasn't a girly cry, or a spoiled, I-didn't-get-my-way cry, this was a hurt cry from the depths of her heart.

She had been asked by our father, King David, to go to Amnon. Apparently he claimed to be sick and asked for her to make bread and spend time with him. King David agreed and told Tamar to go to his home.

While there, Amnon hurt her. She tried to make him happy by offering to be his wife, but he became angrier and threw her out of his house.

Rage boiled inside of me. I tried to control my temper by soothing her aching heart. I promised to care for her by providing a home and food for the rest of her life. It wasn't what her heart wanted, but it was all I could give.

I felt trapped. We all had the same father, and he was the king. King David became furious over the situation. I wanted more. I wanted Amnon to suffer for hurting Tamar.

I kept silent about the situation for two years. In that time, I found no forgiveness in my heart to give Amnon. Instead, my anger grew.

One day I devised a plan. I planned a sheep-sheering party. I went to my father and invited him and the whole household.

He said. "No, not this time, Absalom. And not the whole household, we'd be a burden." 

I asked again but he refused. "If you and the whole household won't come, at least send my brother, Amnon."

"Why do you want him to come?"

"Please father, please let them come celebrate what God has given."

He finally agreed, and to my surprise sent all my brothers with Amnon. Everything happened as I hoped. I returned to finish preparations for the party. It was magnificent, fitting for a king. I wanted my brothers to return to my father and tell him the wonders of the party.

Before my brothers arrived I instructed my servants. "Now, when Amnon has drunk his fill of wine so he can no longer speak clearly, strike him dead. You have my permission, and my instruction. Do not be afraid to carry out my orders."

Later that afternoon my brothers arrived. We sat down to eat, drink, and share our adventures. After a while Amnon drank more than he should. He could barely sit up in his chair. My servants took advantage of the situation and killed him, as I ordered.

All my other brothers hurried from their chairs, mounted their mules and rode off.

I sent a spy to the castle. He returned and reported rumors reached the king saying I had killed all the brothers. The king ripped his clothes and fell to the floor in mourning. His servants did the same. 

The situation became quite out of control until my advisor, Jonadab hurried to the king's side.
"My lord, please hear me. All your sons are not dead, only Amnon. Absalom planned his death now for two years because of what he did to his sister, Tamar."

He lead my father to a window and pointed. "See, your sons are returning."

King David ran out to greet his returning sons and cried with them over the death of Amnon. 

Fearing what my father would do, I ran away to Geshur and stayed there three years.

And waited for him to ask for me. He never recovered from the death of Amnon, but he did desire to see me.

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1.  Why was Absalom upset?
2.  Two years later Absalom hosted a party. Who did he invite?
3.  At first his father, king David said, _____
4.  Then David gave permission for _________ to attend.
5.  What happened at the party?
6.  What wrong news did David receive.
7.  Jonadab told David the right news. What did he say?
8.  Did Absalom do what God wanted him to do?
9.  Who's job was it to punish Amnon?

David- Absalom Comforts Tamar

By Mary Vee
II Samuel

From Tamar's Journal

courtesy of christianimagesource.com

My brother, Absalom, called to me as I ran by.

Tears poured down my face. I swiped away as many as I could, but it didn't help. His eyes grew wide with understanding. He knew something horrible upset me.

"What happened, Tamar?" 

I blubbered a few words. None of them made any sense even to me.

He held me like the loving brother he is. "There, there. You're safe. Tell me. What happened."

"Amnon." Sobs jerked at my voice. I swiped more tears away. "Amnon said he was sick. He called for me to make bread for him. The King honored his wish and told me to do as he asked." I sobbed some more.

He held his arm out, leading me to a chair. "Come over her and sit. I'll get you something to drink."

He came back a few minutes later with a glass. After a few sips, I continued. "I made the bread at his bedside as he asked and served it to him. He didn't eat any. Instead, he sent the servants out of the house and then...then he hurt me.

"I offered to be his wife and take care of him, but my words only made him angrier. He told me to leave. I begged him, oh how I begged him, Absalom, not to embarrass me, but he wouldn't listen. He called his servant and ordered me from his house. They locked the door to make sure I wouldn't try to go back inside.

My brother didn't speak for several minutes. I felt his muscles tighten with anger. He lowered his arm and moved a few inches away from me. Not because he didn't want to soothe my sorrow, but for his anger against Amnon.

He took my hands and held them in his lap. "My sweet sister. I will take care of you for all your days. You do not need to go near Amnon ever again. I promise to take care of you. I will give you a home and food. You will never be in need."

The next day a messenger reported King David heard what Amnon did to me and became very angry. He also heard Absolom agreed to take care of me.

I am thankful God has given me family to take care of me.

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1. Who saw Tamar crying?
2. Absalom is Tamar's ____________________
3. Tamar said she was asked to make _______________
4. What did Absalom say he would do for Tamar?

David- Amnon and Tamar

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 13

Amnon loved Tamar. He wanted to spend time with her so much he felt sick.

Since he was David's son, he had an advisor to help him. His advisor, Jonadab, also happened to be his cousin.

One day Jonadab came to Amnon. "Why do you look so worn out every morning? Something must be wrong. Tell me. I'd like to help."

Amnon shook his head and sighed. "I'm in love with Tamar and I don't know how to spend time with her."

Jonadab said, "Pretend to be sick. When your father, King David comes to visit you tell him you would like to have Tamar bring you something to eat and make the food in front of you."

This sounded like a good idea to Amnon.

He pretended to be sick, King David came to ask how he felt, and he asked to see Tamar.

David called one of the servants, "Go to Tamar, tell her to vist Amnon and make bread for him in his house."

Later that day, Tamar arrived at Amnon's house. She took some dough, kneeded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the bread and served it to Amnon.

He told all the servants to leave because he wanted to spend time with Tamar.

Tamar said, "Amnon, we should not be alone. This could bring trouble. If you ask the king, he will let you marry me if you want."

But Amnon didn't listen. He hurt Tamar and then yelled, "Get out of my house."

Tamar begged him. "No, please, Amnon. This is wrong."

But he wouldn't listen. "Guard! Get this woman out of my house and lock the door. Do not let her back inside.

Tamar had been wearing a beautiful robe, the kind that lets everyone know she wasn't  married. She changed to plain clothes and put ashes on top of her head. Tears flowed as she walked.

Psalm 4
Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
   have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
   How long will you love delusions and seek false gods
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
   the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin;
   when you are on your beds,
   search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
   and trust in the Lord.

 
 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
   Let the light of your face shine on us.
 Fill my heart with joy
   when their grain and new wine abound.

 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
   for you alone, Lord,
   make me dwell in safety

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1.  Who is Amnon?
2.  What was Amnon's problem?
3.  Who is Jonadab?
4.  What did Jonadab tell Amnon to do?
5.  What did Amnon do wrong?
6.  What did Tamar do?

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

To read more about this story, ask your parents to read II Samuel 13 with you.