Tamar
Tamar We know the names of many of David’s sons but of only one of his daughters, the fair Tamar. Women were reckoned of less account than men in those stern days of warfare. Tamar’s name is only preserved for us because of the grim tragedy among men which her beauty caused. The domestic sorrows of David did not end with the death of Bathsheba’s child. It was through his children that he was made to suffer during all his remaining years. He displayed toward them a fond and feeble tenderness which marks the one strain of weakness in his otherwise sturdy character. Under a firmer father, his sons might have been better men. Apparently these youths were allowed to grow up in idleness about the court at Jerusalem; and thus Amnon, the eldest, having no other occupation, decided that he was in love with his half-sister, Tamar. Such a passion was accounted a grievous crime under the laws of Israel, even as it is to-day; and Amnon dared say nothing to the maiden. Also he had fear ...