Day 135- The Bible Recap

Today's reading is 2 Samuel 13-15. Here's what stood out to me:

Amnon, David's son, was attracted to his half-sister, Tamar. Instead of working to take his thoughts captive, through the "advice" of a "friend," he devised a plan to rape Tamar. And then, even after he gave in to his sin, it grew even bigger, to the point of hatred towards Tamar.

While it seemed the violation was discussed in 13:20–22, David never vindicated Tamar or punished Amnon.

Two years later, Absalom, still angry with the rape of his sister, got Amnon intoxicated and had him killed. While the rape was a horribly terrible event, the "solution" was equally as sinful. Absalom fled to his grandfather's home and stayed there for three years.

David longed to be reunited with Absalom, but he didn't make any efforts to bring him back. It wasn't until he was deceived by a woman sent by Joab that he finally called for Absalom to come home. Just as David had used deception, he was now being deceived himself.

Even though David allowed for Absalom's return, he didn't want to be around him...this ignited a seed of rebellion in Absalom. Absalom was sly and stationed himself in a spot that was busy so he could give the image that he was solving everyone's problems, and it worked because he "stole the hearts of the men of Israel." Absalom went into Hebron to begin a further rebellion against his father. Even David's advisor joined forces with Absalom.

David fled Jerusalem so it wouldn't be destroyed. Prior to his sin with Bathsheba, I would've expected David to stay and fight with God on his side. But I wonder if he felt God was punishing him for his sins, and that's why he fled. David also sent the ark to Jerusalem and said if the LORD found favor in him, it would make its way back to him.