Chapter 273 of 1163

2 SAMUEL 13

David now begins to reap the harvest of sowing to the flesh, the painful consequences of forgiven sin (2 Sam. 12:10; Gal. 6:7–8). Of all the trials of life, the most difficult to bear are those that come from our own family because of our failures.

So possessed was he by lust that Amnon made arrangements to sin. He knew that he was breaking God’s law by violating a virgin whom he could not wed (Deut. 22:28–29; Lev. 20:17). Lust was replaced by hatred, for both are born of violence, and hatred resulted in Tamar’s being ostracized in Israel.

David’s anger may have been restrained by his conscience, for he did nothing to punish Amnon. Absalom plotted, waited, and then avenged his sister by killing Amnon (James 1:15). David has now lost two sons to death and one to exile, and the situation will grow worse. The next time sin looks attractive to you, remember David’s trials.

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