• Jacob Chanikuzhy

«The power of the harasser, the abuser, and the rapist depends above all on the silence of women,» writes Ursula K. Le Guin, an American author of science fiction. A study on Indian children’s conditions reports a 74% increase in sexual violence from 2016 to 2022. Analysts suggest the surge may be due to improved reporting rather than a drastic rise in incidents, indicating a growing willingness to speak out against such experiences.
The Bible strongly condemns rape, yet few victims in the biblical accounts of rape voice objections or disclose their assault. Princess Tamar stands out as a rare exception. She was King David’s daughter, born to his wife Macccah. Tamar, along with her brother Absalom, was noted for her exceptional beauty. Despite David having several, the Bible only names nineteen sons and one daughter, making Tamar his sole daughter mentioned by name.
According to the story in 2 Samuel 13, Prince Amnon, the eldest son of David, had a burning passion for Tamar, his half sister. He pretended to be sick and tricked King David into sending Tamar to his private chamber with food. When Tamar approached him with food, Amnon asked her to lie with him. A shocked Tamar then objected and admonished Amnon about the immorality, shame, foolishness, and consequences of such an act. But Amnon, in his uncontrollable lust, ignored her words of wisdom and forced himself upon her.
After the act, Amnon had a deep disdain for Tamar and ordered her to quit. Devastated, Tamar told him that to desert her was more severe than the rape itself. Because, by violating her virginity, Amnon made her incapable of marrying anyone else. If Amnon refused to marry her, she would be condemned to a lifetime of desolation. Again, her words of wisdom were snubbed by Ammon (so Phyllis Trible, a literary critic, describes the incident as the Royal Rape of Wisdom). But Amnon callously ordered his servant to take “this thing” out, making her just an object and devoiding her of human dignity.
Tamar’s courage lies in her refusal to suffer in silence like many others. She publicly displayed her anguish by tearing her clothes and covering herself in ashes, as if she were mourning her own death. She confided it to her brother Absalom, leading to the incident becoming widely known among the royal household, including King David. Although David did not take any action against Amnon, Absalom got Amnon killed by his servants during a festive meal.
David must have learned from his experience that, «mischieves are like roosters, they always come home to roost.» In chapter 11, we see David committing adultery with Bathsheba. In chapter 13, he learns of the rape committed by his eldest son Amnon, and in chapter 16, we see his son Absalom publically lying with the concubines of David! David abused hospitality to trick Uriah to go home and have sex with Bathsheba. The same way, Amnon abused the hospitality of Tamar, who made bread for him and served him. Absalom followed suit by inviting Amnon for a festive meal and killing him when he was enjoying the meal. «Like father, like son.»
Why didn’t David punish Amnon for assaulting Tamar? The Septuagint explains: “When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. But he did not trouble his son, Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn.” David allowed his personal feelings to interrupt justice. As the firstborn, Amnon was the crown prince. Maybe David did not want to jeopardize his enthronement. Or he lacked the moral authority to reprimand him, given his own culpability. When David failed to do justice, Absalom took the law into his own hands.
Tamar’s ordeal reveals that domestic violence knows no boundaries of caste, creed, status, or wealth. Most victims, like Tamar, suffer at the hands of someone they know and trust, often leading to silence to protect family reputations or organizational interests. While forgiveness is often advised, true reconciliation requires confession, repentance, and restitution from the perpetrator. Tamar’s bravery in speaking out against rape provides solace and inspiration to victims while posing a threat to predators.