2 Samuel 13 - June 13, 2025

Nathan's prophesied family violence begins when David's son Amnon becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar. Following his friend Jonadab's deceptive advice, Amnon feigns illness to lure Tamar to his quarters, where he rapes her despite her pleas. Afterward, his lust turns to hatred, and he expels her in shame. Though David is furious, he takes no action against his firstborn. Tamar's full brother Absalom harbors her in his house while silently plotting revenge for two years. When Absalom finally hosts a sheep-shearing feast and invites all the king's sons, he has his servants kill Amnon when he becomes drunk. Upon hearing initial reports that all his sons are dead, David grieves until Jonadab clarifies that only Amnon has been killed in premeditated revenge. Absalom flees to his maternal grandfather in Geshur, remaining there three years. This tragic chapter reveals the bitter fruit of David's own sins of adultery and murder now replicated in his children.