Raped and Discarded Princess

Despite the diminishing prevalence of biblical literalism, a substantial majority of Americans, comprising more than 71% of the population, maintain their belief in the Bible as a divinely inspired document, if not as the verbatim word of God. The Bible is commonly read for its potential to inspire spiritual growth and provide moral compass points. Yet, within its accounts, we encounter a narrative that remains morally ambiguous, touching upon themes of loose morality, sexual violence, rape, abandonment, a lack of justice from a king who also serves as a father, and the brutal injustice and abuse inflicted by a brother. The tale further unravels with Absalom's vengeful and deceitful pursuit of justice, taking the law into his own hands. King David's later handling of the matter appears capricious and uncertain, leaving a plethora of moral and ethical inquiries unanswered.

King David, a central figure in Israelite history, holds a prominent role as the ancestral forefather of the anticipated Jewish Messiah, who is prophesied to usher in a millennium of peace and justice. David is an idealized king, the author of Psalms, a literary and cultural icon, an extension of divine covenants with Abraham and Moses, and his spiritual reputation is marked by his great piety, which imbued his prayers with such potency that he could seemingly bridge the gap between heaven and earth. He displays bravery by defeating the Philistine giant Goliath without conventional armor, using only a sling and stones, but is at a loss to bring justice to his only daughter Tamar because she happens to be a woman from a gentile mother.

The Star of David serves as the emblem of Judaism and holds significant symbolism in Jewish culture and religion. It is a hexagram, a six-pointed star, that is also known as the Magen David, which translates to "Shield of David" in Hebrew. This symbol has deep historical and cultural roots within the Jewish tradition and has come to represent various aspects of Jewish identity and heritage.

In addition to its role in Judaism, the Star of David also serves as a prominent symbol of the State of Israel. It appears on the Israeli flag and various national emblems, representing the Jewish identity of the nation. The establishment of Israel in 1948 further solidified the star's association with the modern Jewish state.

Moreover, the Star of David is used by many other important institutions and entities to signify their connection to Judaism or Israel. It can be found on synagogues, Jewish community organizations, Jewish-themed artwork, and in various contexts where Jewish culture and heritage are celebrated or acknowledged.

Overall, the Star of David holds immense significance as a symbol of Jewish identity, Judaism, and the State of Israel, and it continues to be widely recognized and respected around the world. King David's legacy in Judaism is multifaceted, encompassing religious, historical, cultural, and theological dimensions. He is revered as a central figure in Jewish history, both for his personal qualities and his role in the broader narrative of the Jewish people.

The biblical portrayal of such an imminent figure as a silent witness to the rape of his daughter and his preference for a male son over a female daughter leaves many questions unanswered about his justice, moral standards, equal treatment of children, ethical stance on rape, attitude towards sexual crimes and family management. The Bible’s lack of criticism of such moral quandaries of King David adds fuel to the fire.

The story of Tamar's rape by her half-brother Amnon and King David's subsequent inability to exact justice is a narrative from the Second Book of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible. This story is often cited as an example of the complex and sometimes problematic family dynamics in King David's household, as well as the challenges he faced in balancing his roles as a father and a king.

In the narrative, Tamar, the only daughter of King David and full sister of Absalom, is raped by her half-brother Amnon. Despite being troubled by the incident, King David does not take any action against Amnon, possibly due to his affection for him as his firstborn son and Tamar being the daughter of a Gentile mother, as Talmud, Sanhedrin 21 elaborates. This lack of action on David's part leads to further tragedy when Absalom, Tamar's full brother, takes revenge by killing Amnon two years later using deceitful means.

The story highlights several themes and issues, such as rape within David’s family, the misuse of manly power, the consequences of inaction in the face of injustice, and the intricate and sometimes destructive nature of family relationships. It also reflects the cultural and societal norms of the ancient Israelites, particularly regarding the rights and treatment of women.

King David, the most prominent figure in Israelite history, is brave enough to kill the giant Philistine warrior Goliath without armor just with his sling but is at a loss to protect his only and most beloved daughter Tamar from the rape of her half-brother or grant her justice after the heinous act of rape just because she happens to be a woman. 

Let us look at the biblical text:

2 Samuel 13:1-38, New International Version (NIV)

13:1: In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.

2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.

3 Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”

Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

5 “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”

6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.”

7 David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. 9 Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat.

“Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said. So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. 11 But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”

12 “No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. 13 What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” 14 But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”

16 “No!” she said to him. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.”

But he refused to listen to her. 17 He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her.” 18 So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. She was wearing an ornate[a] robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.

20 Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.

21 When King David heard all this, he was furious. 22 And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.

Absalom Kills Amnon

23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. 24 Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”

25 “No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.

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

The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.

28 Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” 29 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

30 While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.” 31 The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.

32 But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar. 33 My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled.

Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”[b]

35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come; it has happened just as your servant said.”

36 As he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his attendants wept very bitterly.

37 Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.

38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years. 39 And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death