2 Samuel 13:17
Instead, he called to his attendant and said, "Throw this woman out and bolt the door behind her!"
Instead, he called to his attendant and said,

Amnon used the authority of his position as the king’s son to command a household servant. Tamar had no voice in the decision, and the servant was expected to obey his master.

1Sa 16:17 And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone…”…
Mat 22:8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready,…
Luk 15:22-24 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick!…

“Throw this woman out

Amnon’s cold description of Tamar shows his rejection of her after violating her. Rather than treating her as his sister and a daughter of the royal house, he cast her aside, adding public disgrace to the harm he had already done.

2Ki 9:33-35 “Throw her down!” yelled Jehu. So they threw her down…
Gen 21:10-11 Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son…
Jhn 9:34-35 They replied, “You were born in utter sin,”…

and bolt the door behind her!”

The order made the rejection final. Tamar was expelled from Amnon’s presence without protection, comfort, or any acknowledgment of his responsibility for what he had done.

2Ki 4:4-5 Then go inside, shut the door behind you…
Gen 19:10-11 But the men inside reached out, pulled Lot into the house…
Mat 25:10-12 But while they were on their way to buy it…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Amnon
The eldest son of King David, who is the central figure in this passage. He commits a grievous sin against his half-sister Tamar.

2. Tamar
The daughter of King David and sister of Absalom, who is wronged by Amnon. Her account is one of innocence and victimization.

3. David's Household
The royal family of Israel, which is the setting for this tragic event. The dynamics within this family are complex and fraught with tension.

4. The Servant
An unnamed servant of Amnon, who is instructed to remove Tamar from the room, highlighting the callousness of Amnon's actions.

5. The Event
The aftermath of Amnon's sin against Tamar, where he cruelly dismisses her, compounding his wrongdoing.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Amnon's actions serve as a stark reminder of how sin can lead to devastating consequences, not only for the sinner but also for those around them.

The Importance of Justice
This passage highlights the need for justice and protection for the vulnerable, emphasizing the role of leaders and communities in upholding righteousness.

The Role of Repentance
While Amnon does not repent, the broader account of David's family underscores the necessity of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.

The Impact of Family Dynamics
The dysfunction within David's family serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of healthy family relationships and the dangers of favoritism and neglect.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure
Despite the failures of individuals, God's sovereign plan continues to unfold, offering hope and redemption even in the darkest situations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Amnon's treatment of Tamar reflect the broader issues of justice and righteousness in society today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are protecting and advocating for the vulnerable in our communities, as seen in the failure of David's household to protect Tamar?

3. How does the principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8, apply to the events in 2 Samuel 13 and our own lives?

4. What steps can we take to foster healthy family dynamics and prevent the kind of dysfunction seen in David's family?

5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's sovereignty when faced with the consequences of human sin and failure?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 34
The account of Dinah, another account of sexual violence in the Bible, which parallels Tamar's experience and highlights the recurring theme of injustice against women.

Leviticus 18:9
This verse outlines the prohibitions against incestuous relationships, which Amnon violates, showing his disregard for God's law.

Psalm 51
David's psalm of repentance, which, while not directly related to this event, reflects the broader theme of sin and the need for repentance within David's family.

Galatians 6:7-8
The principle of sowing and reaping, which can be seen in the consequences that follow Amnon's actions and the eventual turmoil in David's household.
Absalom and AmnonW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 13:1-29
Amnon and Absalom: -- Examples of Short-Circuited Lives2 Samuel 13:1-29
Parental FailureW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 13:1-29
Purity At All CostNewton Jones.2 Samuel 13:1-29
The Wickedness of AmnonJ. Parker, D. D.2 Samuel 13:1-29
Vengeance Upon the WrongdoerTytler's History2 Samuel 13:1-29
The Crime of AmnonB. Dale 2 Samuel 13:1-33
People
Absalom, Ammihud, Amnon, David, Jonadab, Shimeah, Talmai, Tamar
Places
Baal-hazor, Geshur, Jerusalem
Topics
Attended, Behind, Bolt, Calleth, Cry, Door, Lock, Locked, Ministered, Presence, Servant, Served, Throw, Waiting
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 13:1-19

     5707   male and female

2 Samuel 13:1-20

     5737   sisters

2 Samuel 13:1-21

     5087   David, reign of

2 Samuel 13:1-22

     8340   self-respect

2 Samuel 13:1-33

     5661   brothers

2 Samuel 13:17-18

     5299   door

Library
Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
Jacques Saurin, the famous French Protestant preacher of the seventeenth century, was born at Nismes in 1677. He studied at Geneva and was appointed to the Walloon Church in London in 1701. The scene of his great life work was, however, the Hague, where he settled in 1705. He has been compared with Bossuet, tho he never attained the graceful style and subtilty which characterize the "Eagle of Meaux." The story is told of the famous scholar Le Clerc that he long refused to hear Saurin preach, on the
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
1 There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? Drunkards, who drown reason and stupefy conscience. These declare their sin as Sodom. They are children indeed, but cursed children' (2 Peter 2:14). 2 Exhortation, which consists of two branches. (i) Let
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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