The Tragedy of Tamar

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People.... 00:00:03 Speaker 2: My king, I am with child. 00:00:06 Speaker 1: Are you certain? 00:00:08 Speaker 3: Could it be your husband's? 00:00:10 Speaker 1: My husband? 00:00:12 Speaker 3: You mean Uriah. Uriah, one of your generals. 00:00:17 Speaker 1: Uriah has been on the battlefield since the snows melted. You know that. 00:00:23 Speaker 4: You sent him. 00:00:24 Speaker 2: It's your child.... 00:00:29 Speaker 3: Set Uriah at the forefront of the charge. When he marches in, order the other soldiers to delay before following him. I need Uriah to fall on that battlefield. 00:00:44 Speaker 2: Thus says the Lord. God of Israel and God of justice. 00:00:50 Speaker 4: I anointed you king over this nation. I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you this house, this kingdom, this crown. 00:01:02 Speaker 1: And had that not been enough. 00:01:05 Speaker 4: I would have given you more. You have despised my word. You have done what is evil in my sight. You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword of your enemies. You took his wife, his only treasure, and made her your own. 00:01:30 Speaker 3: I have sinned. 00:01:36 Speaker 1: I have sinned before the Lord. 00:01:41 Speaker 2: I have no excuse, no cloak, no sacrifice. 00:01:50 Speaker 1: Only guilt. 00:01:54 Speaker 4: Blood shall answer blood. As you have dealt in violence, so too shall violence rise in your own walls. 00:02:09 Speaker 1: The sun stood high and cruel over the city of David. casting down its heat like judgment. Tamar stood at the palace well, dabbing at her neck with a cloth soaked in cool water. She leaned forward to splash her face, savoring a fleeting moment of solitude beneath the shade of a fig tree, where the air stirred and the stone well still held the memory of morning's chill. Then came a shadow. She turned swiftly, her breath catching. Her hand pressed her chest. It was only Amnon, her half-brother. The prince stepped back, hands raised in jesting apology. 00:03:08 Speaker 2: I didn't mean to startle you. I only came for a drink. 00:03:13 Speaker 1: I didn't know you'd be here, alone. Tamar lowered her eyes and forced a smile. 00:03:20 Speaker 2: I was just cooling off. 00:03:22 Speaker 1: The heat is dreadful. Would you mind filling me a cup as well? Tamar dipped a ladle, filled a water skin, and passed it to him with bowed head. Though they shared blood, their father the same king, their connection was thin. Tamar was close to Absalom, her full brother, and kept cordial distance from the rest of David's brood. But Amnon, Amnon lingered more than the others. He watched Tamar more closely. His silences lasted too long, his stare too piercing. He drank, not thirstily, but to watch her while he did. His eyes lingered where they shouldn't. Tamar adjusted her headscarf and stood. 00:04:13 Speaker 3: I'll see you at supper. 00:04:16 Speaker 2: May the Lord bless your day, brother. 00:04:18 Speaker 1: She walked away briskly, not wanting to look back. Amnon stared as she went, lips parted, breath thin. He watched the sway of her hips, the elegant curve of her shoulders, and the hair tucked neatly beneath her head covering. His eyes burned with a hunger that had grown past reason. He did not even notice when Jonadab crept up beside him. 00:04:46 Speaker 3: Hello, Amnon! 00:04:48 Speaker 1: Are you there? 00:04:49 Speaker 2: Ha ha! 00:04:50 Speaker 1: Jonadab drawled, draping an arm over his cousin's shoulder. He was lean as a reed and twice as slippery, the son of Shimea, David's brother. The rest of the family loathed him, but Amnon couldn't be picky with his friends, since most loathed him as well. What troubles you, noble prince? No coin for the brothels today? There is only one woman I want. 00:05:17 Speaker 4: God's! 00:05:20 Speaker 3: Don't tell me it's some married nobleman again. 00:05:23 Speaker 1: Who is she? 00:05:24 Speaker 2: Ah, Tamar, Absalom's sister. 00:05:28 Speaker 1: Jonadab choked on his water and spat into the well. Tamar, your half-sister? 00:05:35 Speaker 3: You dog, you! 00:05:39 Speaker 1: I can't eat, I can't sleep. 00:05:43 Speaker 2: Every night I see her, I feel like I'm dying. 00:05:47 Speaker 1: Then take her. 00:05:49 Speaker 2: I wish... She would never allow it. 00:05:52 Speaker 1: You don't need permission. 00:05:53 Speaker 3: You're the son of King David. 00:05:56 Speaker 1: Take what you please. You know your father does. Listen, listen to me. 00:06:03 Speaker 3: Pretend you're ill. Not a common cough, something grave. When your father comes to your bedside, tell him. 00:06:11 Speaker 1: The only thing that will lift your spirits is Tamar. Ask him to send her. She'll come. She's kind. 00:06:20 Speaker 3: She's obedient. And when she does, you'll have her right where you want her. 00:06:26 Speaker 1: Even the wind seemed to hush at Jonadab's suggestion. It was a wicked plot, brazen and vile. But Amnon, drunk on longing, weak of will, nodded slowly. 00:06:40 Speaker 2: Right where I want her. 00:06:42 Speaker 1: Jonadab took an apple out of his tunic and took a huge crunch. Mouth full, elbow leaning on his cousin's shoulder. 00:06:52 Speaker 3: She'd be a fool to refuse you. And if she does, who cares? Like I said, you're the prince. Firstborn and David's rightful heir. 00:07:07 Speaker 2: And a future king takes. 00:07:08 Speaker 3: What he wants. 00:07:10 Speaker 1: And what would that be exactly? Amnon and Jonadab jumped as Absalom approached from behind. Absalom was an imposing man, most respected among David's children. He was broad-shouldered, with long, flowing dark hair and a wide jaw. He was every bit the warrior as David was, but with keener political savvy. He and Amnon couldn't be more different in ambition and personality. Absalom leaned in closer to Jonadab, snarling. Come on, Jonadab, tell me, what should Amnon take? Jonadab gulped, laughed nervously, and shifted his eyes to Amnon. I, well, Amnon and I were just, uh, I mean. 00:08:02 Speaker 2: Oh? Not so swift-tongued now, are you? 00:08:07 Speaker 1: Get out of here, leech. 00:08:09 Speaker 3: Ha ha ha ha ha ha! 00:08:11 Speaker 4: Gladly. 00:08:12 Speaker 1: Jonadab departed, leaving Amnon and Absalom alone. Absalom gave Amnon a knowing glare. I saw you speaking with my sister. 00:08:25 Speaker 2: She was just giving me a drink of water. 00:08:28 Speaker 1: That's all. That's all, eh? I see the way you look at her. Your eyes linger too long. 00:08:36 Speaker 2: I can see you salivating every time she passes. Absalom, come on. Has anyone ever told you you're a little too uptight? 00:08:47 Speaker 1: Looking for trouble where it doesn't exist? 00:08:50 Speaker 2: I love all my sisters with brotherly affection. Tamar is no different. Perhaps you should loosen your grip on her a bit. Maybe then she'd finally find a suitor. You keep scaring them all off. 00:09:05 Speaker 4: Good. 00:09:06 Speaker 1: Weeds out the power to Our family has had enough of them already. There was a long pause between the sons of David. Amnon stared blankly, betraying nothing. Finally, Amnon shrugged. All right, Absalom. 00:09:24 Speaker 2: You win this little staring contest or whatever it is. I'm going to my chambers. 00:09:33 Speaker 1: I feel a sickness coming on. 00:09:35 Speaker 2: I just feel dreadful. 00:09:37 Speaker 1: Amnon left with Absalom's eyes staring into his back. Absalom saw Amnon for who he really was, even if the king didn't. The next morning, Prince Amnon lay in his bed, wrapped in silk sheets and lies. He tossed back and forth, moaning like a wounded hound, crying out for help in a voice thick with feigned pain. 00:10:05 Speaker 2: Oh, gods! 00:10:08 Speaker 1: Oh, this sickness will be the end of me. His cries echoed down the halls of the king's house. At last, the king himself came. David entered the chamber with concern carved deep into his brow. Amnon gave a rasping cough, his lips curled in a pitiful smile. 00:10:32 Speaker 2: I don't know, father. My body fails me, my spirit wanes. I fear death may take me soon. 00:10:42 Speaker 1: David reached out, stroking the hair from his son's brow. Amnon hesitated. 00:10:47 Speaker 4: Then. 00:10:48 Speaker 1: whispered like a child asking for honey. There is. 00:10:53 Speaker 4: One thing. 00:10:56 Speaker 2: Perhaps if Tamar, my sister, if she came to me and baked me her cakes, if she fed me with her own hands, then I might have the strength to live. 00:11:11 Speaker 1: As soon as the king departed, the prince cast aside his blankets, rising from his false affliction with a wicked grin. He stood tall, eyes shining like polished steel, and whispered to the empty room, Let the game begin. Hours passed before the knock came. When the door opened, Tamar stepped inside, covered and modest, her arms cradling a small tray of warm cakes. The scent of honey and almond filled the room. Amnon sat upright in bed, his eyes gleaming like a wolf in heat. 00:11:50 Speaker 2: Oh, dear sister, how sweet you are to come. Of course. 00:11:55 Speaker 1: How are you feeling? Amnon said nothing. His eyes devoured her. Tamar once again felt her skin crawl with discomfort. She set the cakes on a small table near the bed and turned. Um, I added clove to the dough this time. I hope they please you. 00:12:16 Speaker 2: I will leave you to rest. No, no, stay, stay. Please. 00:12:24 Speaker 1: Tamar paused, showing a tinge of unease. Amnon rose from his bed slowly, like a viper uncoiling. 00:12:32 Speaker 2: You've always been kind to me. 00:12:35 Speaker 1: Not like the others. You understand me. Amnon brushed Tamar's arm. Tamar stepped away, smiling awkwardly. Eat your cakes and regain your strength. 00:12:49 Speaker 2: I will bring some more tomorrow, if it pleases you. I don't want the cakes. 00:12:55 Speaker 1: I want you. His words struck her like cold steel. She tried to step back. But his hand seized hers. 00:13:04 Speaker 2: What are you doing? 00:13:05 Speaker 1: Lie with me, Tamar. Let me hold you, feel you, just once. Tamar yanked her arm away. 00:13:15 Speaker 2: Please, Amnon, don't do this. If you do, I will never find a husband. You think I want any other man touching what should be mine? 00:13:24 Speaker 1: She stumbled toward the door, but he was on her in a flash. 00:13:28 Speaker 3: Please, this is a disgrace before God. You doomed my future. 00:13:33 Speaker 2: What about the king? 00:13:35 Speaker 1: I'm going to be king. And with that, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the bed. 00:13:42 Speaker 4: Stop! 00:13:43 Speaker 1: Stop! 00:13:44 Speaker 4: I'm not! Please! 00:13:47 Speaker 1: Her words were muffled by his hand as he forced her down. And then he took her. When it was over... Tamar lay crumpled like a torn cloth, weeping into the pillows. Amnon rolled away, panting. He felt no satisfaction from it, only emptiness. The love he had claimed for years had vanished. In its place, a cavern of hate opened wide. Worthless. 00:14:21 Speaker 2: A waste of my time. 00:14:23 Speaker 1: Tamar sobbed. Clutching the torn remains of her robe, she kept her head low, shame dripping off her like sweat. 00:14:32 Speaker 2: Get out of my sight! 00:14:34 Speaker 1: I'm not. 00:14:36 Speaker 2: Please, please. If you cast me out now, my future is ruined. 00:14:42 Speaker 1: I'll live in shame. 00:14:43 Speaker 2: At least ask father for my hand. 00:14:45 Speaker 1: At least do that. 00:14:48 Speaker 2: You think I care about your honor now? 00:14:52 Speaker 1: Leave, or I'll take you again out of spite. Tamar limped from the room, her hair wild, her body trembling. She left behind her cakes, untouched and cold. And in the halls of the king, the curse of David spread like poison through veins. Tamar reached her chambers and locked the door. Her hands trembled as she stared into the bronze mirror above her table. Her fingers found the small blade used for embroidery, and with it she cut the sleeves from her robe. Then, with mechanical precision, she dipped her fingers into a bowl of ashes set beside the hearth. She dragged the soot across her forehead and into her hair. Her breath hitched, her chest rose and fell. and then the dam broke. The sounds of her wailing poured through the palace like smoke from a fire, but no one came until Absalom arrived. He had returned from his estate beyond the eastern hills. Upon entering the palace, he heard her cries echo down the marble corridors. He ran to her door, threw it open, and found her on the floor, Torn, bloodied, and clothed in ruin, ashes crowned her like a funeral veil. Absalom knelt beside her without a word and pulled her into his arms. 00:16:31 Speaker 2: Oh, come here. 00:16:33 Speaker 1: Shh. 00:16:37 Speaker 2: Absalom, I. 00:16:44 Speaker 1: Tamar couldn't speak. Absalom held her tightly. It was Amnon, wasn't it? It wasn't a question. He already knew. Although Tamar answered with a slow nod. Absalom kissed her brow and whispered, Hold your peace, my sister. 00:17:04 Speaker 2: Be strong. 00:17:06 Speaker 1: I will take care of you. From that day on, Tamar lived in Absalom's house. His wife welcomed her. His sons protected her. and she was treated as a daughter of their household. But she never smiled again. When news reached David, it came like a sword to the chest. 00:17:28 Speaker 2: What? 00:17:28 Speaker 1: David roared, rising from his seat near the fire. His fists clenched and the veins bulged in his neck. 00:17:36 Speaker 3: The heir to my throne has defiled my daughter, his own sister. 00:17:41 Speaker 1: Absalom stood quietly nearby, along with Kiliab and Jeremoth, sons of Abigail. They watched their father pace like a caged wolf, fury in every step. 00:17:53 Speaker 3: How can I trust the kingdom of the insolent, feeble-minded? 00:17:58 Speaker 1: David cut himself off, dragging his hands down his face, forcing himself to breathe. He turned to Absalom. Tell me your thoughts, Absalom. It was a test. It was always a test. Of all his sons, David admired Absalom's mind the most. Not as reckless as Amnon, not as green as the others. Absalom was his steel, polished, sharp and unyielding. Absalom met his father's gaze, reading him. Absalom huffed. He knew David wouldn't do anything. His mercy was his weakness. Absalom also knew if he showed too much of his own feelings, it would hinder his ability to act in secret against Amnon. It's your decision, my king. Do what you feel is just. But behind Absalom's calm eyes, his fury seethed like molten iron. His tongue was a sword still sheathed, his wrath a tide yet to rise. Amnon had taken Tamar with lust and violence. Now Absalom would take Amnon with silence and patience. Vengeance is best served cold. For two years Absalom waited, planning, preparing, a lion in the tall grass. And Amnon, poor fool, never saw the shadow drawing near. This PrayDog.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Schellewager, and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Colter Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.