2 Samuel 13:16

In 2 Samuel 13:16, we hear the voice of Tamar after she has been violated by her half-brother, Amnon. Having committed the horrific act, Amnon's twisted desire instantly turns to intense hatred, and he wants to expel her immediately and publicly. Tamar, despite her trauma, recognizes that being cast out and publicly shamed as if *she* were the guilty party would inflict a deeper, more lasting wound than the initial, private act of violence. She pleads with him, highlighting the immense injustice and the compounding nature of the evil he is about to commit against her reputation and future.

Context

This verse is a critical point in the tragic narrative of Amnon and Tamar found in 2 Samuel 13. Amnon, David's eldest son, feigned illness to lure his half-sister Tamar to his chambers. There, he overpowered and raped her (see 2 Samuel 13:14). Immediately after, his "love" for her turned to extreme hatred, demonstrating the perverse nature of his act was not love but selfish desire and violence. This verse captures Tamar's desperate attempt to prevent the further humiliation and ruin that Amnon's plan to forcefully expel her would cause.

Key Themes

• Compounding Evil: The verse highlights how the perpetrator adds a public act of shame and expulsion to the initial, private act of violence, inflicting further injury upon the victim.
• Injustice and Betrayal: Tamar points out the profound injustice of being treated as the offender after being the victim, a betrayal that extends beyond the physical act to her dignity and social standing.
• Lack of Remorse: Amnon's refusal to listen ("he would not hearken") demonstrates a complete absence of remorse or empathy, focusing only on his own desire to be rid of Tamar and the evidence of his crime.
• The Victim's Voice: Despite her vulnerability, Tamar articulates the depth of the wrong being done to her, showing remarkable clarity and strength in her plea.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "evil" used here (*ra'ah*) can encompass wickedness, harm, injury, or calamity. Tamar argues that the *ra'ah* of sending her away is "greater" than the *ra'ah* he had already done. This emphasizes the severe damage to her social status and future prospects, which in that culture could be more devastating than the physical trauma alone. The phrase "he would not hearken unto her" uses the verb *'avah*, which means to be willing or to consent. His refusal signifies a deliberate and stubborn unwillingness to consider her plea or her welfare.

Reflection and Application

This verse is a stark reminder of how victims of abuse are often subjected to further harm, not only by the initial act but by subsequent actions that discredit, silence, or shame them. Tamar's plea underscores the devastating impact of public disgrace following private violation. It challenges us to recognize and oppose the ways victims are often blamed or marginalized, and to instead offer protection, justice, and restoration. The failure of Amnon to "hearken" illustrates the callousness of a heart hardened by sin and self-interest, a refusal to acknowledge the reality or depth of the harm inflicted. Understanding this can help us identify similar patterns of denial and further injury in contemporary situations and advocate for true support for those who have been wronged. The tragic unfolding of events following this verse shows the devastating consequences when such evil goes unchecked within a family and society (see Tamar's reaction in 2 Samuel 13:19).