T is for Tamar

My A to Z blogging theme is characters in (people from) the scriptures. Since my blog is a book blog, this theme would fit right in and help me strengthen a weakness at the same. How fantastic is that?!  This challenge is a blessing. Thank you A to Z Challenge team!  *Book: LDS quad combo scriptures: KJV Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. (p)1989, (c)1979.

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The Tamar we will be discussing today is the woman found in 2 Samuel 13 (Tamar and Amnon), and not the Tamar in Genesis (Tamar and Judah).  Coincidentally these two Tamar shared a similar assault ..both were raped.  Anyway, our Tamar was the daughter of David by his wife Maacah and half sister of Amnon.  Amnon was David's eldest son by wife Ahinoam and heir to the throne.  Amnon lusted after Tamar and wanted her badly.  His friend Jonadab suggested a way to get them together.  Amnon pretended to be sick and asked his dad to send Tamar to look after him.  So Tamar did go and while tending to him, Amnon dismissed his staff so that he can be alone with Tamar.  He then forced himself on her.  After the deed, Amnon cast her off.  Tamar had been a virgin and this rape had been a disgrace since Amnon would not honor her by marrying her or accept her as a concubine.  This left Tamar stating that such casting was more evil that the sexual assault, leaving her to mourn in a manner of a widow since the disgrace would deprive her of a husband. 

Tamar's brother Absalom upon hearing of the rape was wroth with Amnon but waited two years before carrying out his revenge.  Absalom invited David and all his sons to a shearing and feast.  David didn't go but all his sons did.  During the feast, when Amnon was "merry with wine", Absalom gave the order to kill Amnon.  Then Absalom flees to Geshur.

Side note:
Although David was angry with Amnon for what he did, he could not rebuke him because he too committed a sexual transgression ..remember our "B" post ..Bathsheba?  Go HERE for the story.