October 21, 2012 – 2 Samuel 13

It sounds like Tamar made pretzels.  “Taking dough and kneading it, she twisted it into cakes before his eyes and fried the cakes.”

We just had someone come to talk to us about Theology of the Body and part of the discussion was Adam’s fault in the Fall.  Although he didn’t pick the fruit, he allowed the serpent to influence Eve and was right there and allowed it to happen.  He was the protector and failed to protect.  Whether it was fear of the serpent or a longing for what he was offering, Adam was just as much to blame, if not more.  I thought of that when I was reading about David’s reaction.  He does nothing because of fear and a false type of love for his first born.  Allowing a child to get away with things is not showing love.  That is an issue with many children today.  Punishment for a child does not speak of unlove but is the very essence of love.  A loving father disciplines his child.  David, I believe, knows this, but simply fails to follow through with what he ought to do.

It is hard to root against Absalom in this one.  If David had acted as he should, this might not have happened, but allowing this to go unpunished fueled the fire that caused Absalom to commit this murder.  David mourns, but in his mourning and seeking revenge he ignores his fault in the whole affair.  It will be curious to see if that does come back up.  (once again, great TV series, life of David)