2 Samuel 13:7

2 Samuel 13:7 marks a pivotal and tragic moment in King David's family history, setting the stage for a series of devastating events. The verse reads, "Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat."

Context of 2 Samuel 13:7

This verse is situated during a dark period in King David's reign, following his own moral failures and the subsequent divine judgment pronounced by the prophet Nathan. Amnon, David's firstborn son and heir apparent, has become infatuated with Tamar, his beautiful half-sister. Advised by his cunning cousin Jonadab, Amnon devises a deceptive plan: he feigns illness, knowing that it would be customary for family members, including Tamar, to visit and care for him. David, unaware of Amnon's sinister intentions, unwittingly facilitates this plot by sending Tamar to attend to her "sick" brother.

Key Themes and Messages

• Deception and Manipulation: Amnon's elaborate scheme exemplifies calculated deceit, exploiting familial trust and David's paternal concern to achieve a wicked aim. This highlights the insidious nature of sin when fueled by unchecked desire.
• Familial Vulnerability: The narrative underscores the vulnerability of individuals, especially women, within a patriarchal society, and the dangers of unchecked power dynamics, even within a royal family. Tamar is sent into a situation where she is completely unprotected.
• David's Unwitting Complicity: David's command, though innocent in its intent, tragically facilitates the impending sexual assault. This incident, along with others later in his life, reflects a recurring challenge for David: a seeming lack of discernment and firm, proactive discipline within his own household. This contributes to the fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy that trouble would arise from within David's own house.
• The Seeds of Future Conflict: This act of violence against Tamar sets in motion a tragic chain of events, leading directly to Absalom's vengeful murder of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29) and ultimately, Absalom's rebellion against David, profoundly impacting the stability and peace of David's kingdom.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "dress him meat" (KJV) simply means to prepare food for him. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, it was common for women, especially close female relatives, to prepare meals for male family members, particularly when they were ill. This seemingly innocent request was a crucial part of Amnon's cunning plan to isolate Tamar and carry out his malicious intent.

Practical Application

The narrative of 2 Samuel 13:7 offers several timeless lessons:

• Discernment is Crucial: This story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of spiritual and relational discernment. David's failure to perceive Amnon's true motives, even when warning signs might have been present, had devastating consequences for his family.
• Consequences of Unchecked Desire: Amnon's actions vividly illustrate the destructive power of lust and selfish desire when not brought under control. Such desires, when acted upon, bring ruin not only to the perpetrator but also to the innocent and to entire families.
• Protecting the Vulnerable: The narrative implicitly calls attention to the timeless ethical imperative to protect the innocent and vulnerable from exploitation and abuse.