by Josh Moody Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 13, Psalm 112, Mark 14:53-65, Galatians 3:1-14 2 Samuel 13: One foul deed leads to another. One of David’s sons, Amnon, falls in love with the sister of another of David’s sons, Absalom (13:1-2). The sister, Tamar, is beautiful, and through the crooked advice of a friend, Amnon schemes a way to get her into bed with him (13:3-6). Having raped her (13:7-14), he then rejects her (13:15). The sin that seemed so sweet ends up bitter. He has her thrown out (13:16-18), and she goes back to her brother distraught, devastated, and lives with him in his house (13:19-20). David is angry (13:21)—but does nothing to discipline or even correct Amnon. How can he when he himself has violated another woman, and had her husband murdered? Absalom, the brother of Tamar, is not only angry, he hates (13:22). And with the cold hate that hides feelings, he bides his time until the right moment comes to strike. He has the sons of David go on a feast with him, and when Amnon is merry with wine he has him struck down and killed (13:23-29). At first David thinks all his sons have been killed, but then realizes that it is only one, Amnon (13:30-33). Over time, he is comforted about Amnon, and his heart goes out to his other son, Absalom, who has fled into exile (13:34-39). The scene is set for yet another disaster to fall upon David. David’s sin with Bathsheba is forgiven, but the consequences remain. Beware sin, flee from it, for one foul deed leads to another. To receive God Centered Bible devotionals directly in your inbox, sign up here.]]>