PREMEDITATED MURDER

 2 Samuel 13:23-33

What is PREMEDITATED MURDER? “The term that is used to describe a murder that was planned in advance and was carried out willfully.” (Black’s Law Dictionary.)  Do you recall the rape of Absalom’s sister Tamar, by her half-brother Amnon?  It has now been two years since she was disgraced and for two years she has been taken care of by her brother Absalom.

Two years of watching a beautiful lady he loved not be able to smile or enjoy life as she once had may have brought this about, or was it that the King knew what Amnon had done and did nothing to him.  We do know that Scripture required the King to make Amnon marry Tamar because he had raped her; it is found in Deuteronomy 22:28-29.  Though David was angry he did not disciple his son, and it was this injustice that set the stage for Absalom’s planned murder.

Each year Sheep-shearing was a time of celebration and also a part of Absalom’s plan to kill or have his brother killed.  To execute this plan he needed to deceive the King, Absalom goes to his dad and requests that the King and his sons come to the big party.  It is not clear why David did not want to go, but it may be that he is aware of the friction and it has brought about distrust in his relationship with his son.  

This is the account about what took place: “After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.”

Now that he has succeeded in that part of his premeditated plan, he put the rest of it into action; “Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.”

It was reported to David, that Absalom had killed all of his sons.  Yes fake news is not a new thing!   David, as was the custom, tore his garments, as did all his servants that were standing by.  But David’s brother Jonadab said, it is not true Absalom has only killed Amnon. 

How did Jonadab know this?  Scripture does not tell us but this we know about Jonadab he was a very crafty man, and it was he that came up with the plan that Amnon used to rape his sister.  He may have been working both sons, but Scripture does not make that clear.  Verses 32-33 give us a lot of information, shall we close with this: “But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. Now, therefore, let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice