2 Sam. 6 Some New Things Can't Replace Old Things
The word of the Lord through Nathan, continues to be fulfilled, as we see in this chapter. The diabolic plot by Amnon to rape his half-sister Tamar is the topic of many soap operas. Amnon, along with his cousin Jonadab, connive the plot where by it could take place and no one would be witness to it. Amnon’s feigned illness to the king was but the first step in seeking what his heart desired; followed up with the preparing, cooking and serving the food were sequences leading up to the ultimate deception and transgression.
Tamar tried to reason with Amnon, even asked him to request her from King David, all to no avail. Amnon, supposedly ill, raped her and the result being he hated her with a greater intensity after the crime than his unbrideled passion before. He also took her virginity, that could not be recovered.
Why didn’t David do something in response to this atrocity? He no doubt had the authority, yet didn’t act. Perhaps it was the memory of his transgression against Uriah and Bathsheba. Scripture is silent on why he didn’t do something.
Absalom, heard as did all the king’s sons as to what happened and the seed of hatred was planted in his heart toward Amnon. When the seed of hate is planted, it must uprooted immediately or it will bear its fruit, murder.
After “two full years”we see the fruit has become strong and deeply rooted in Absalom’s heart and mind. He conives a plot by which he could take Amnon’s life apart from the king’s presence. He invited all the king’s sons and David as well, fully knowing it was likely David wouldn’t make the trip. Instead of having the king, his eldest, Amnon would be invited to represent the king.
With everything set in motion, Absalom sets in motion the murder of Amnon. The news reaches David that all the king’s sons were killed; yet the truth is opened when all the son’s returned to Jerusalem and greive over the murder of Amnon and the running away of Absalom; who went to his grandfather on his mother’s side to live. It would have been better had he not returned at all.
David’s grief over the loss of Amnon had been soothed; however there was a longing in his heart for Absalom, desiring to see him.
Two things seem to be clear about this entire chapter. One, when we have authority to deal with a problem, whether great or small; we’re better to deal with it and the sooner the better. Two, left unrooted seeds of sin and transgression will bear fruit that is seemingly impossible to uproot. The implication from Absalom is that every day he permitted that seed of unforgiveness to root itself deeper and cultivate the fruit higher; filling his soul and mind with all kinds of ways and means to exact revenge.
Sow seeds of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit we’ll reap is eternal life.