Tamar- A Woman of Tragedy

The next chapter in the continuing series on Through His Eyes: God's Perspective on Women in the Bible by Jerram Barrs brings us to the study of chapter 12, "Tamar- A Woman of Tragedy," an examination of 2 Samuel 13.

This is a difficult chapter.
Barrs reminds us that Scripture "never glosses over the failures of God's people. Rather, right alongside the stories of faith, righteousness, courage, and faithfulness, we read of episodes of weak faith and impoverished obedience, for Scripture presents these stories with complete openness." (p. 190) Certainly, we are surrounded with similar stories in every day life, stories of brokenness and sin and hopelessness; stories where we are left to wonder, how can we find any good in this? Barrs comments that "Christians should be always ready to acknowledge the failings of God's people, so that the theme of God's grace and faithfulness becomes the central theme in the stories that we tell." (p. 190)

Perhaps the story of 2 Samuel 13 is one of the most clear illustrations of the consequence of sin among God's people in Scripture. But to look at chapter 13, it is necessary to consider the context of the story. Arriving at chapter 13, we have followed David through committing adultery with Bathsheba and watched him carry through a plan to kill Uriah. We have read of the judgement announced by the prophet Nathan on David's household. The events of 2 Samuel 13 are "one sad part of the fulfillment of that prophecy." (p. 191) We see the effects of David's undisciplined personal life, the effects of polygamy, the effects of an indulgent father towards his sons. The culmination results in disastrous consequences. And the one most effected by those consequences in the story of 2 Samuel 13 is Tamar.

Simply, Tamar is raped by her half-brother, Amnon. She is an innocent victim of his sinful lust. His passion is quite clearly self-indulgent. Though at first he makes claims to love Tamar (13:4), Barrs reminds us that "while genuine love can bring deep passion, even passion that makes one faint, it is also true that genuine love desires the good of the other person even more than the satisfaction of sexual desire." (p. 193) That stands out to me as a statement crucial to communicate to those, especially women, involved in abusive relationships. Amnon plots how to lure Tamar; a plot which, unknowingly, David becomes an accomplice to.

Barrs writes, "Tamar reveals herself to be a woman of faith and virtue." (p. 194) She makes several appeals to Amnon not to carry out the act. Nonetheless, he ignores her pleas, her wisdom, her fear and distress, and violently rapes her (p. 195) (13:14). Furthermore, he calls an attendant into the room to be a witness to the aftermath, making the act public and further humiliating Tamar. Tamar is left to "put ashes on her head, and (tear) her long-sleeve garment which was on her; and she put her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went." (13:19) That description paints a vivid picture, one that tears our hearts, especially as we think of those who have been victims of sexual abuse and assault.

The second part of the chapter outlines the consequences of Amnon's act. David "was very angry" (13:21), but as Barrs recounts, "David had himself sinned grievously with Bathsheba so it is hard for him to act now without publicly condemning his own sins." (p. 196) David does nothing to discipline his son. Tamar's brother Absalom seeks revenge, in part motivated by his own desire to gain power for himself. Absalom ultimately has a servant kill Amnon in his own "ambition and self-love." (p. 197) As the prophet Nathan predicted, we are witness to the sins of David "working themselves out in the lives of his children and in his own life." (p. 197)

Does God forgive sin? Absolutely. However, Barrs reminds us that "does not mean that the consequences of our sins will disappear in this life." (p. 197) Barrs writes:
Our histories are significant. Our choices and actions, and our failures to act, have real results in the histories of our lives and in the lives of others. God forgives David completely. God forgives us completely. You and I will meet David one day, and he will be a man totally forgiven, just as you and I will be totally forgiven by Christ. However, David had to live with the shocking and distressing results of his choices- in his own life and in his daughter's life- and it is the same with us.
I confess, it is both a struggle and a comfort to me to know that David, despite his many sins and flaws, was still described as having a heart wholly devoted to the Lord his God.

So I am left asking, how do we resolve the ugly consequence of sin with Tamar, "the only character in this account who comes out of this terrible story with her virtue, her strength of character, and her wisdom intact"? (p. 198) Barrs points out that "this story of a ruined life shows the reality of a broken world." (p. 198) I would argue that although full of pain and hurt, Tamar's suffering is not necessarily futile or without purpose. In the next chapter of the book, chapter 13- "Tamar's Question- A Meditation on Tragedy," Barrs takes us to 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, and I think it is there that we can begin to better see how God can use even the most painful circumstance for His glory. Meanwhile, we rest in the hope of Revelation 21:2-5, as God promises us, "Behold, I am making all things new... Write, for these words are faithful and true."



(art credit to The Desolation of Tamar, James Tissot, 1896-1900. Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis.)