The Life Of David
Pt. 22 When Your Fire Burns Your Children
2 Samuel 13:1-39

David’s son repeats David’s SIN
At the beginning of his reign, David married Maccah as a political alliance with the king of Geshur. This union would produce two beautiful children—Absalom and Tamar. David had three other wives; the first was Ahinoam who bore a son, Amnon. Polygamous wives of royalty would live with their children in separate housing thereby fracturing family structure and putting adult children in needless temptation. Sometimes choices of convenience end up becoming pathways of dysfunction. Amnon noticed his stepsister, Tamar, and began to lust after her. Knowing their relationship was not allowed, he devised a plan to get David to send Tamar over to cook dinner for him pretending to be ill. When she does, Amnon propositions her. Tamar refuses, saying promiscuity would cause her shame but David might let them be married. Realizing he has been rejected, he sexually assaults her. Love leads to satisfaction and enjoyment, lust leads to shame and emptiness. David’s lack of sexual restraint with Bathsheba was mirrored by his son who let lustful looks become lustful action. Amnon allowed his fantasy life to alter his physical life. While all people are responsible for their own actions, sometimes the fire you start burns into the future. When your fantasy affects your reality then you need to change your mentality.

David’s delayed decision invites DESTRUCTION
After his assault, his ‘love’ turns to hatred and tells her to leave. She begs him to make it right and not send her away knowing her life will be ruined as a violated princess. After she leaves, she puts ashes on her head and tears her royal virginal robe. When ungodly things happen, turn to God and godly people. Remember your value is in what God can do not what people have done (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 1:6)! When David hears of it he is angry but does nothing so to protect his firstborn son and the family name. Men of God should prioritize protecting the innocent instead of pandering to the guilty. Two years later David is deceived again when the son he protected is murdered by Absalom in retaliation for David’s failure as Nathan prophesied (2 Sam. 12:10). While David’s righteous anger should have resulted in righteous action, his past sins weakened his moral courage to give his daughter justice as her father and king. Don’t let past failures dictate future decisions!