Final thoughts on II Samuel 13:13-15
And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.” However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!” NKJV
Amnon, David’s oldest son, was lustfully desirous of his sister, Tamar. His friend, Jonadab, helped him hatch a plot to get alone with her. While he pretended to be ill, he asked for Tamar to come prepare a meal and feed him. When she brought the food to his bed, it became evident what he was really after. Tamar responded wisely in refusing his advances. If he would act honorably, then she would marry him. She asked him the question we should ask ourselves when faced with any form of lust. Who will this affect? What will be the consequences in their lives? What about our own reputation? What will be the full consequences in our own life if we give in to that desire? Amnon and Tamar had seen their father make this same mistake with Bathsheba, and they had seen the consequences of his sin. Now Tamar appealed to Amnon to face the truth of what would happen if he went through with his plan, but he had already determined what he would do and refused to consider the consequences of the sin.
After raping Tamar, Amnon despised her. Our fleshly desires will paint a picture of fulfillment that is a lie; far from reality. Tamar’s honorable questions showed how wicked Amnon’s heart really was. He wanted to be as far away from the truth as he could get. His sin of lust resulted in hatred and death within the family.
Is some desire capturing your imagination? How will it affect the people involved? How will it affect you? Sin must be stopped before it shifts from thoughts to actions!
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:14-15 NKJV
Bethel Bible Church Hawaii 