Reaping of sin

David’s peak came to an end with 2 Samuel chapter 12. From chapter 13 onward, his life begins to roll downhill. At the root of these problems was the sin of adultery and murder David had committed. The firstborn son born to Bathsheba had already died. What now comes upon David is the tragedy of incest and fratricide within his own household. Here we see the fulfillment of the principle found in Galatians 6:7-8: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” As David endured the tragedies that came one after another, he must have wept, reflecting on the depth of his own sin and the depth of the loving discipline given by God. Blessed is the one who learns from David’s failure.

Amnon and Tamar

(1) David had a beautiful daughter named Tamar. Tamar and Absalom were born of the same mother. (2) Amnon, on the other hand, was Tamar’s half-brother. Amnon came to long for Tamar, his half-sister. However, since Tamar was a virgin living a quiet and secluded life, he could not even find an opportunity to meet with her alone. Moreover, marriage with a sister was forbidden under the Mosaic Law (ref. Levi. 18:9; 20:17; Deut. 27:22). (3) Amnon, who longed for Tamar, eventually became like a sick man. The one who came to his aid in this desperate situation was his shrewd cousin Jonadab. He advised Amnon to feign illness. Jonadab’s plan was that when his father David came to visit him, Amnon should plead with him to send Tamar to prepare food for him in order to nurse him back to health. Amnon took advantage of the fact that his father David was lenient with his children. Moreover, to conceal his scheme, he referred to Tamar as “my sister Tamar.” Are you using your wisdom for the glory of God? Let us turn away from the path of misusing wisdom like Jonadab and Amnon and walk in the path of righteousness.