2 Samuel 13:20–29   

And Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons. Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him.

Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.”

And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.” So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled.

Some commentators suspect that Absalom was in on this from the very beginning. Amnon was first in line for the throne, and Absalom was third. So, it’s not absurd to think that Absalom could have thought up the whole plan for Amnon to rape Tamar so that he would then have an excuse to kill Amnon and get one step closer to being the heir to the throne. His actions later fit this theory quite well.

But the scripture doesn’t. There is no mention anywhere of Absalom’s involvement prior to Tamar coming to him after the rape.

Scripture must not have such serious errors of omission. It cannot be both inspired and yet flawed by the normal standards of a historian.

But as soon as Absalom found out about what Amnon did to his sister, he started plotting his revenge. Sisters hold a special place in their brothers’ hearts. So, for two years, Absalom was just biding his time, waiting for the right opportunity.

But plan A isn’t a go. David declines Absalom’s invitation to the shearing party. So Absalom goes to plan B—invite just Amnon. But, instead, all of David’s sons go. That’s okay; Absalom still gets the shot off.

For the second time, sexual sin leads to murder.

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.