The Sword Will Never Depart Series

March 14, 2026

Since the story today is not found in Chronicles, we will focus our attention on 2nd Samuel 13-20

Both Amnon (Ahinoam) and Absalom (Maacah) had been born while David’s capital was at Hebron. Tamar is included with the children born to David after the capital relocated to Jerusalem. Her mother was also Maacah.

2nd Samuel 13 tells us that sometime after the events surrounding David and Bathsheba, Amnon “fell in love” with the beautiful virgin, Tamar. As an unmarried virgin, Tamar lived under the protection of her father, David.

So “in love” was Amnon that he became frustrated to the point of illness because he couldn’t have her.

Amnon’s cousin, Jonadab, dispensed some pretty wicked advice, “pretend to be ill and ask that Tamar bring you some food.” Amnon did just that.

When Tamar arrived at Amnon’s house, he took hold of her and raped her ignoring her pleas… (see Ex. 22:16-17; Lev. 18:9, 11, 29 and Deut. 22:28-29; 27:22)

Interestingly, afterward he hated her with as much passion as he had loved her. Tamar was unceremoniously kicked to the curb, but she did not go quietly. She put ashes on her head, tore her robe and headed for home weeping as she went. No longer a virgin, she would be condemned to a lonely and childless life. Additionally, she lost her place in David’s household, so she went to her brother, Absalom.

He told Tamar to keep quiet and Absalom never said a word to Amnon, but from that day forward he hated Amnon.

David was also angry, but did nothing to discipline Amnon – Reminds us of Jacob’s response when Dinah was raped.

Ellen White {PP 729.2} - With the memory ever before him of his own transgression of the law of God, David seemed morally paralyzed; he was weak and irresolute, when before his sin he had been courageous and decided. His influence with the people had been weakened. And all this favored the designs of his unnatural son.

It would seem that Amnon had got away with his crime.

2 years went by… Absalom invited Amnon to join him for the sheep sheering festival. Amnon agreed.

Absalom told his servants that when Amnon was good and drunk, to kill him. After Amnon was killed, the rest of David’s sons ran away. When it was reported to David that Absalom had killed all his sons, he tore his robe and fell on the ground. Later, Jonadab reported that only Amnon had been killed because of what he had done to Tamar.

Meanwhile, Absalom fled to his grandpa, Talmai, king of Geshur and remained there for 3 years.

David grieved more for Absalom than he did for his dead son, Amnon.

Joab knew that David pined for Absalom, so he hired an actress from Tekoa to tell David a fake story about having one son who killed her other son. David told Joab to bring Absalom home, but refused to see him.

Here is how Scripture describes Absalom, “No one was more praised in Israel for his beauty than Absalom.” He had thick hair and not a blemish to be found. He had 3 sons and a daughter he named Tamar.

2 more years went by (5 years since Amnon was killed)…..

Absalom was getting tired of David’s unwillingness to see him, so he sent for Joab. Joab refused to come. He sent for Joab again. Again, Joab refused to come, so Absalom instructed one of his servants to set fire to Joab’s barley field.

As expected, Joab showed up on Absalom’s doorstep, “Why have you set fire to my barley field?”

“You refused my request twice…. Seemed like a good way to get you here.”

Joab went to the king on Absalom’s behalf and David welcomed Absalom back. All’s well that ends well, I guess.

However, “in the course of time,” Absalom began to intentionally court the people of Israel – planting seeds of distrust against David’s justice and authority – as a result he, “stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.”

At the end of 4 years, Absalom asked David’s permission to go to Hebron to fulfill a vow he had made to Yahweh – his true ambition, however, was the throne, so when he arrived at Hebron he had secret messages sent throughout the tribes, “When you hear the sound of the trumpet, then shout: Absalom has become king at Hebron!" The conspiracy grew in strength as more and more people joined Absalom – including Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors and, interestingly, Bathsheba’s grandfather (11:3; 23:34).

When a messenger reported to David that “the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom,” he quickly assembled his household and left Jerusalem, “but he left 10 concubines behind to take care of the house.”