Tamar’s Voice Of Wisdom And Outrage In 2 Samuel 13 -- By: Deirdre Brouer

Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 28:4 (Autumn 2014)
Article: Tamar’s Voice Of Wisdom And Outrage In 2 Samuel 13
Author: Deirdre Brouer


Tamar’s Voice Of Wisdom And Outrage In 2 Samuel 13

Deirdre Brouer

Deirdre Brouer (MA) is an adjunct Hebrew instructor at Denver Seminary and provides spiritual direction through the Lanteri Center in Denver. She teaches classes and seminars on the Jewish roots of Christianity and on how the Old Testament speaks outrage against rape. As a survivor of sexual abuse, she is passionate about empowering others who have been so impacted. She can be contacted at [email protected].

“Tamar lived desolate in the house of her brother Absalom” (2 Sam 13:20). These words have given me both heartache and comfort. Heartache because I don’t want Tamar’s story to end this way. Comfort because Tamar’s desolation validates my own desolation. “Desolation”1 describes the barren woman, a desert wilderness, and the destruction of Jerusalem.2 Jerusalem’s desolation is described contrary to the creation account: formless and empty,3 dark, and isolated.4 To live desolate means to live lifeless,5 a common reality for those who suffer the impact of sexual abuse. Millions worldwide live in this reality: men and women, young and old, rich and poor. Even the daughter of King David.

Tamar was a beautiful princess from the tribe of Judah.6 Her father was a former shepherd from Bethlehem;7 her mother was the daughter of a Canaanite king.8 Tamar grew up in the palace of Jerusalem and lived during Israel’s golden years under the reigns of her father, David (1010-970 BC), and her half- brother Solomon (970-930 BC). Tamar was the daughter of the messianic forerunner, the chosen and anointed one, the man after God’s heart.9 She was the only daughter of David named alongside nineteen of David’s sons.10

Tamar was raped, silenced, and left desolate by Amnon, David’s firstborn son and heir to the Davidic throne,11 within the palace of the king. But her story does not end here. Tamar has a voice, and her community has made sure that her voice is not silenced. This community, represented by the biblical writers, stands with Tamar, validates her voice, and acknowledges her suffering. Through the biblical writers we hear Tamar’s voice...

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