Lesson 12
Yahweh-Rapha – The Lord Who Heals (2 Samuel 14:21; Exodus 15:26)
 “Forgiven … Forgive” (Ephesians 4:32)
Read 2 Samuel 13 – 14:1-24 www.bible.com/bible/59/2sa.13.esv

David’s son Absalom had a very attractive sister named Tamar. David’s oldest son, Amnon, was in love with her. Tamar was his half-sister; their father was David, but they had different mothers because King David had more than one wife. God’s ideal for marriage is one man and one woman for life, but kings at that time took multiple wives.

Amnon pretended to be sick, and asked his father to have Tamar come, cook supper for him, and feed him. Amnon told everyone to leave the house. When she tried to feed him, he grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my sister!”

“No, my brother,” pled Tamar, “don’t hurt me! This isn’t done in Israel – please don’t do this terrible thing to me! We’ll both have to live in disgrace from now on. Please ask our father the king – he’ll let you marry me.”
Amnon wouldn’t listen to Tamar’s pleading. He was much stronger than she, so he forced her to go to bed with him. Instantly, the warm love he had felt for her turned to icy hatred. He screamed, “Get up and get out!”

“Oh, my brother,” Tamar answered, “this is worse than what you just did to me!” But again, Amnon wouldn’t listen to her. He called a servant who threw her out and locked the door.

Tamar ripped her long-sleeved gown (that virgin princesses wore in Israel) and poured ashes on her head. She held her head in her hands, sobbing as she walked away. Absalom saw her and guessed what had happened. Tamar, bitter and forsaken, lived in Absalom’s home after that.

King David heard what Amnon did to Tamar and was extremely angry, but he didn’t discipline Amnon, his oldest son. Absalom hated his brother for what he did to their sister Tamar, and refused to speak to him.
Two years later, Absalom planned a party and invited all his brothers and their father the king. King David did not attend, but he did give his blessing. Absalom prepared a big banquet. He told his servants to kill Amnon after he had drunk plenty of wine, but not to be afraid – he would take the blame. His servants obeyed. When David heard what had happened, he was angry, and Absalom fled to and lived in a neighboring country for three years.

 For many years David was not able to forgive either of his sons for the wrongs they had done, and as a result Yahweh-Rapha was not able to bring healing to his spirit. The resulting bitterness between David and Absalom caused a civil war in Israel in which many people died – all because David couldn’t forgive his two sons.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*Is there anger, bitterness, estrangement, hatred, pride, and/or unforgiveness in your heart right now?
*What is the next step toward forgiveness you need to take, with God’s help?