I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 13. “But she answered him, ‘No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.’ However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, ‘Arise, be gone!'” (Verses 12-15). What is interesting to me about this chapter is that David would have given Tamar to Amnon, he could have had the thing he most desired in the right way. But he chose to fulfill his fleshly desires instead of heeding his sisters words. The verse says he hated her after, and that his hatred was greater than his love. Seems weird, right? But it’s not, sin has a price and the price is GUILT. Amnon’s actions stems from the guilt of his sin. We feel guilty, but don’t want to admit guilt, so it leads to hatred, to lying, to anything but acceptance of our wrong doing. Amnon did not just hurt himself and his sister. No, his sin affected his entire family. Sin is dirty and its goal is to destroy the sinner completely. Listen to God, flee from sin.