Bible Soap

Scripture

2 Samuel 14: 27 “Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. The daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman.”

Observation

OK, so this verse only stands out in importance within the context of the whole passage, 2 Sam 11-15, which starts with David’s adultery with Bathsheba and ends with David and loads of Jerusalem’s inhabitants hiding outside the city, scared of the conspiracy that has been started by his son Absalom. In the middle is the key to why this verse stands out. After the account of David and Bathsheba, we get the first fruits of David’s sin: Amnon and Absalom are half-brothers, both sons of David, and Tamar is Absalom’s sister. Amnon becomes infatuated with Tamar, and rapes her, leading her into desolation and despair, and himself into death at the hands of Absalom. This is why I love the fact that the writer of the book (unknown for sure, but some scholars think it could have been Nathan or Gad, both prophets) inserts this lovely little moment of Absalom naming his daughter after his shamed sister, and her growing into a beautiful woman – good can come out of evil, there is redemption after sin.

Application

I guess the most obvious application of this truth is that no matter how horrific a situation we might be going through, God can redeem it for good. When my mother killed herself when I was nine years old, I had no idea what life was going to be like after that. I knew my Dad loved us, and I trusted God, and today I have a wonderful step-mother, and younger sister and brother who are a result of Dad’s re-marrying – I praise God for them, because had my mum not died, they wouldn’t be here, and my life might be all the poorer. That’s exactly the kind of redemption that God can bring out of disaster.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that time and time again, both in Scriptures and modern life, your love exceeds human tragedy, and you are willing to bring hope and joy out of doom and shame. Praise you for that!