A DEADLY DESIRE
2 Samuel 13

Certainly, every wrong and evil desire will lead to a route of destruction. Absalom, Tamar and Ammon were all children of David. The Bible describes Tamar as a lovely person. It is recorded in 2 Samuel 13:2, “Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her.” Any desire that is causing man to be in a distressful situation could be that such desire is not in line with God. When such desire remains persistent or continuous, it could be considered as a route or avenue to an untimely death. Ammon was so much consumed in the love for his sister to the point of sickness and to the point where an agent of evil stepped in as a counselor. The one and only better way of making any decision on confronting issues of life is in seeking for Godly counsel. Ammon’s crafty friend became his counselor in regard to dealing with his fleshly desire. This is what the word says about Ammon’s friend: “But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man. And he said to him, ‘Why are you, the king’s son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?’ Amnon said to him, ‘I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.’ So Jonadab said to him, ‘Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him’, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’” (2 Samuel 13:3-5) On the first note, the desire of Ammon was a foolish one. In his desire, he should have received help from a Godly counsel. The crafty friend was the wrong one for Ammon and at the wrong time. Also, it was indeed foolishness for Ammon to listen to counsel where there was no wisdom. Wisdom, knowledge and understanding make all the difference in different steps that we take in life. It is important for us to know that, “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil…” (Proverbs 2:10-12) Ammon did a shameful and disgraceful thing when he forced her sister to lay with her. After Ammon had fulfilled his desire concerning his sister, he hated his sister more than the love he had for her. Absalom could not let go the evil committed by Ammon so he sent his servants to kill Ammon. Evidently, Ammon died an untimely death because his desire drove him in the route of death. 

Prayer for today: Cause my heart to be kept with diligence against every thought that is not in line with Your Word.