2 Samuel 13:1-2
1 Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister,
whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. 2 And Amnon was so tormented
that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and
it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her....
2 Samuel 13:11-15 11 But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. 13 As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.
Sexual sin is selfish. We only think about what we can get, not about how it will affect others. Amnon starts by rationalizing that he loves Tamar, but in reality his lust interfered with truly loving her. In fact he never really loved her, he just lusted after her, which is why he then hated her after he had her. Tamar correctly realizes this and cries out "As for me, where could I carry my shame?" in verse 13. But Amnon no longer cares about her, he only cares about himself and getting his needs met. Thus he forces himself on her, with tragic results. This is typical of those caught in the snares of lust. Our feelings become deadened, and we objectify others, only thinking about how we can use them. How am I treating the person I am sexually involved with? Am I considering their desires too?
Heavenly Father, forgive my selfishness, and help me to truly love others in a giving and sacrificial manner.
2 Samuel 13:11-15 11 But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. 13 As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.
Sexual sin is selfish. We only think about what we can get, not about how it will affect others. Amnon starts by rationalizing that he loves Tamar, but in reality his lust interfered with truly loving her. In fact he never really loved her, he just lusted after her, which is why he then hated her after he had her. Tamar correctly realizes this and cries out "As for me, where could I carry my shame?" in verse 13. But Amnon no longer cares about her, he only cares about himself and getting his needs met. Thus he forces himself on her, with tragic results. This is typical of those caught in the snares of lust. Our feelings become deadened, and we objectify others, only thinking about how we can use them. How am I treating the person I am sexually involved with? Am I considering their desires too?
Heavenly Father, forgive my selfishness, and help me to truly love others in a giving and sacrificial manner.