The immediate context of these verses is found in 2 Samuel 13:1-14, where Amnon, with the help of his friend Jonadab, devise a plan for Amnon to force himself upon his half sister Tamar.
One common thread we see between our two pericopes is that of grief, which can be noted from the tearing of garments and wearing of ash on the forehead (13:19, 31). We would do well to consider that grief, no matter its shape or form, is a consequence of sin. This is not to say that grief is always the result of personal, direct sin. At times, it may be. However, at other times, as is the case with Tamar in verses 1-14, her grief is caused by the sin of others.
Grief runs in direct contrast to God’s original creation where everything is described as blessed by God and “good” (Gen. 1:28-31). We weren’t meant to experience the pains of death, illness, and sin. Yet, in a fallen world, we often do. Grief is meant to cause us to seek comfort in the gracious redemption of creation through Christ (Rom. 8:18-25).
Continue reading “Exegetical Notes: 2 Samuel 13:15-20; 31-39”