March is Women’s History Month and we are celebrating by highlighting the many women who play a major part in stories told in The Bible. Today we are spotlighting Tamar which means “Date Tree” or “Palm Tree”.
Tamar was the daughter of King David. She shared her fathers good looks and charm but was naive to the danger that threatened from her own family. The horrifying sorrow that Tamar faced was being raped by her half brother who only saw her as an object for his lust. The effects of this tragedy haunted Tamar and many other women still today who have also been raped. It effects a woman’s existence, influencing her relationships with her husband, with male and female friends, and with her children. Tamar found joy in God for giving us a hope rooted not in the events of this life, but in eternity. His constant presence can bring healing for the loneliness and the detachment many feel. We are reminded that God has the power to restore our hope.
Scriptures To Read Around Tamar’ Story
DEUTERONOMY 4:31 – For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you.
DEUTERONOMY 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
PSALM 27:7-10 – Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
JOB 13:15 – Though (God] slay me, yet will I hope in him.
Let’s continue the conversation. See more of Tamar’s story by reading 2 Samuel 13:1-22and answering the questions below…
Do you think Amnon truly loved Tamar? Why or why not?
Describe your feelings as a woman when you read Tamar’s pleas in 2 Samuel 13:9-14
Why did Tamar say that sending her away was “a greater wrong” than rape (13:16)? What did she want?
What should David have done to Amnon? What could he have done for Tamar?
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? If so, how has it affected your life? Where is God in your story?
Source: Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda
