https://youtu.be/EPj1T1bCFm4

Davids first born Amnon falls in lust with his half sister Tamar. His confides in his cousin Jonadab who gives him the great idea to act sick to get his sister to bring him food.  He does it. David orders Tamar to go to Amnon to feed him. She brings cakes, but amnon removes the other people in the room so they can be left alone. Amnon propositions her, she refuses based on Israel’s laws and basic moral decency. She tells him to ask the King instead, he doesn’t listen and forces himself on her. Immediately after, he begins to loathe her, kicks her out, she then gets even more upset, so he has his servants kick her out. She covers herself with ashes, tears her robe, and leaves crying. She goes to her brother Absalom, he tells her to not tell anyone, but comforts her. David hears, doesn’t want to hurt his first born Amnon, but now Abasalom hates his half brother Amnon. Absalom waits 2 years for his revenge. He invites David and Davids servants to go and be with some sheep shearers in Ephraim. David doesn’t want to go, so he asks instead for Amnon to go. David is reluctant, but he says yes. Amnon goes with Absalom. They start to feast, Amnon gets drunk, Absalom tells his servants to kill him while he’s drunk. The other sons run away.  A rumor goes to David that Absalom killed all of his sons. David weeps, but Jonadab tells him that abasalom just killed Amnon for the thing with Tamar. The other sons show up to mourn Amnons death. Absalom runs away to hide , David gets over Amnons death and wants Absalom to return. 

Why is this story in the Bible? It’s a disgusting shameful story. Sadly, its not exceptional, stuff like this happens in families to this day because people don’t destroy sin in their lives. Clearly Tamar is the victim. 100%. Amnon is a predator. Jonadab is a contributor. Absalom- The definition of going Old Testament on someone. Leviticus 18 lays out all the commands for sexual purity of Israel and Amnon violated them. Deuteronomy 22 talks about a man who does this and how it is deserving of deathGod hates all sin. This one is exceptionally heinous. It says a lot- but we’re just going to touch on  few things- we’re taking this whole chapter today because I don’t want to camp out in it longer than neededHere’s the short version of the story- when you go against God’s stated commands and follow your own desires, it results in bad things. 

Don’t follow your desires

The beginning of this story is found in the heart of Amnon v2 2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her.He knew it was wrong. He worked his way to get his way and enlisted his cousin to help him. Sexual immorality pre-dates the law- this dude was wrong and he knew it- caught up in desire- wantsAnd it started in his mind and his heart. He went against what he knew was right and followed his desireJames 1:14-15  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.That’s where it starts- desire- and then enticed. Thoughts, feelings, desires, they come- from the fleshAnd when they come- you have a decision- am I going to follow this instinct, or the word of God?You can’t trust the heart! Just because you have a desire doesn’t mean God wants you to act on itJeremiah 17:9  “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?This is why our savior said that mens hearts were wicked- that’s where sin comes from- insideMark 7:21-22  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy,