Amnon, one of David’s sons, lusts after his half-sister Tamar. As this incestuous relationship is forbidden, Amnon lures Tamar into his room and rapes her. He then rejects and humiliates her. Amnon will pay a heavy price for his addiction to selfish and fleeting pleasures. Absalom, Tamar’s full brother, decides to come to her aid. He avenges Tamar’s honor by killing Amnon. Fearful of his father’s wrath, Absalom then runs away—leaving David alone in Jerusalem to mourn the rape of his daughter, the death of one of his sons, and the self-imposed exile of another beloved son. Sin inevitably leads to more sins. David is now paying for his past deeds. His sons succumb to their temptations and commit terrible acts of violence, just as he did when he married Bathsheba and sent Uriah to his death.
“And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her” (2 Samuel 13:12-14)
“Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone” (2 Samuel 13:15)
Abstinence is avoiding addictive pleasures.
