Zaresh: The wife of Haman

The study of the women in the book of Esther has revealed different lessons to learn. We have seen characters to avoid and characters to desire. We have seen the different ways favour and disfavour can lead to either elevation or demotion. When Vashti’s disobedience led to disfavour, she was deposed as queen of Persia. When Esther found favour, she was promoted as the queen of Persia. We also see that when King Xerxes favoured Haman, he honoured Haman through elevation and gave Haman a seat of honour higher than that of all the other nobles (Esther 3:1). Haman nurtured a grudge with Mordecai, the cousin of Queen Esther and ultimately decided that killing Mordecai wasn’t enough but he would wipe out the whole Jewish community to satisfy his wrath. As Mordecai, Esther and the entire Jewish people fasted for God’s intervention, Haman and his house rooted for the death of the Jews. Haman’s wife, Zaresh is the main focus of this post. Just as her husband, she seemed to be heartless and lacked compassion. 

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. (Esther 5:14)

Even after Esther had invited the King and Haman to the banquet, Haman still nurtured hatred for Mordecai. Although Haman was happy to have been invited by the queen, when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and realized that Mordecai would not bow down to him, Haman was filled with rage (Esther 5:9). When he got home, Haman boasted of his accomplishments to his wife and friends and he said, “But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate” (Esther 5:13). When he said this, his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself” (Esther 5:14a). The question I ask is this, “How would Mordecai enjoy himself right after killing someone?” Certainly Zaresh and the friends of Haman are brute and vile. Unfortunately this wicked suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up (Esther 5:14b). Zaresh saw that the death of another man would please her husband. She desired to see Mordecai killed rather than seeing her husband sad. One of the innate traits of femininity is compassion but Zaresh had none. She didn’t even advise her husband to ask Mordecai why he refused to bow before Haman. Zaresh wanted the fame, the pomp and the positional advantage of being the wife of the king’s right hand man. 

The pole was made at Haman’s request. Haman couldn’t sleep that night in anticipation of morning to ask permission from the king to hang Mordecai on the pole. The king couldn’t sleep either because something had to be done urgently. The king requested the chronicles to be read and made note of Mordecai’s heroic act of exposing two evil men. The king asked, “What honour and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” and his attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him” (Esther 6:3). Zaresh proposed a pole to kill Mordecai (dishonour) and the king looked forward to giving Mordecai honour and recognition. Haman went to the palace early in the morning to facilitate his plans of killing Mordecai. He arrived at the same time the king was searching for the best way to honour Mordecai. The king asked his attendants, “Who is in the court?” Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him (Esther 6:4). The attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court” and the king ordered, “Bring him in” (Esther 6:5). The king asked Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honour?” Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honour than me?” (Esther 6:6).

Haman, thinking that this honour was meant for him replied, “For the man the king delights to honour, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honour, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!’ ” (Esther 6:7‭-‬9). The king commanded Haman, “Go at once. Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended” (Esther 6:10). Imagine the shame and the hurt. Haman foolishly listened to his wife to kill Mordecai, now here he was preparing to parade Mordecai through the city to honour him. The king’s command had to be carried to the later, so Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” (Esther 6:11). Imagine the anger and the disdain in Haman. His plan failed woefully. Instead of dishonour, he rather honoured Mordecai. 

Haman couldn’t hide his grief. He told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” (Esther 6:13). The same people who advised Haman to get rid of Mordecai were the same people who prophesied his ruin. Zaresh wanted honour for her husband and dishonour for Mordecai. But she got the opposite. The story is not over. We learn that “the plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful” (Proverbs 12:5). We also learn that one should not be quick to condemn others by digging a pit for them. Remember that “whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them” (Proverbs 26:27). 

Before Haman could get over his grief, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared (Esther 6:14).

Huldah: The prophetess who spoke the mind of God

Throughout the history of Judah (Southern Kingdom) and Israel (Northern Kingdom), the sins of the people against the commands of God were repeated from generation to generation. In fact, the Northern Kingdom,  that is Israel, was carried away into captivity or exile in 2 Kings 17. The reason for the exile was given in 2 Kings 17:7-8: “All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.” The people in the Southern Kingdom (Judah) had their own share of sinful practices until they were also carried into exile. However before the captivity of Judah, there were some kings who were interested in the things of God and did what was right before the Lord. One of such Kings was Josiah. He was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. The name  of Josiah’s mother was Jedidah, daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left (see 2 Kings 22:1‭-‬2).

Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter. (2 Kings 22:14)

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah (when he was around twenty-six years), he commissioned the repairs of the temple of the Lord. As the work was ongoing, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law in the temple. Thus, even the high priest did not have access to the Book of the Law until they started work on the temple. So one will ask, “what was the high priest teaching the people?” Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan the secretary and then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king (2 Kings 22:10). When the Book of the Lord was read, the king  tore his robes (2 Kings 22:11). The people were living differently from the Law of God. The king was sad and commissioned the high priest and a few other people to “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us” (2 Kings 22:13). Thus, Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter (2 Kings 22:14). 

Huldah was the prophet of God, she was the wife of Shallum and she lived in Jerusalem. Thus in the midst of the poignant idolatry and evil, there was a prophet of God. A woman who had the ability to hear the words of God. As long as the people continued their ways, they didn’t hear the mind of God. However,  when the king saw the need for repentance, the mind of God was heard. Huldah didn’t miss words, she went straight to the point. She said to the messengers of the king,
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.”
The messengers took her answer back to the king (2 Kings 22:15‭-‬20).

King Josiah was proactive about the feedback from Huldah. He immediately began a consecration of the nation. He got rid of the idols, the mediums and spiritists. He cleansed the nation and removed all foreign gods. This is how the Bible describes Josiah: “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses”  (2 Kings 23:25).

From this story, we can learn a few lessons. The wages of sin is death and God was ready to destroy the nation for their sins. We can also see that repentance brings mercy. When Josiah repented, the doom was averted during his reign. We can also learn that the presence of a priest and a prophet does not make an automatic sinless nation. The people must be taught the word of God and the people must be ready to live for God. Further, Huldah teaches us that we can still be in ministry and still be a virtuous wife. Huldah also teaches us that the unadulterated word of God carries power. Even the king was afraid of the words of the prophet. Josiah did not look down on Huldah because she was a woman. God can use both men and women to bring His agenda on earth. Imagine, if Huldah had abandoned her calling because of the evil on the land, no one would have heard from God. It is possible to live right even in the midst of great evil. Be intentional, spend quality time with God and He will definitely speak to you even in the most unlikely situation. Woman, be intentional! You are also a vessel of God!

Jehosheba: The woman on rescue mission

There are many great men and women who are celebrated today because they risked their own lives to save the lives of other people who were facing persecution. For example, Nazi Germany’s state sponsored Holocaust killed about six million European Jews. During this mass murder operation, there were people who risked their lives to save the Jewish people and this included a Polish woman named Irena Sendler. Irena Sendler successfully rescued 2,500 Jewish children out of the Ghetto in Warsaw, Poland. Her brave action saw the lives of 2,500 people saved. Irena Sandler might not be a household name because until recently,  not many people heard of her heroic act. Similarly,  there were men and women who risked their lives to rescue others in the Bible. These people knew that their action was tantamount to death if they were caught, but they did it anyway. One such woman in history is Jehosheba. Her name might not sound familiar to you and it is possible that you might not have heard any sermon that ever mentioned her name. Jehosheba risked her life to save her brother’s son. The son she saved, rose up to become the king of Judah. 

But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. (2 Kings 11:2 NIV)

In a previous post, we considered how Athaliah, the mother of king Ahaziah deliberately wiped out the royal family when she realized her son Ahaziah had been killed. Athaliah was brute and she wasn’t ready to spare a soul. She was so wicked and heartless that she was ready to kill her own grandson and any other person who identified as a royal. The opposite of Athaliah is Jehosheba. While Athaliah’s vengeance cared less of her own family members, Jehosheba’s compassion led her on a dangerous mission. She could have been killed by Athaliah if her action was found. Jehosheba went on a rescue mission. The story of Jehosheba’s rescue of Joash is recorded in 2 Kings 11:2 and 2 Chronicles 22:11. The 2 Kings 11: 2 account states that, “But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.” In 2 Chronicles 22:11b we get to know that, “Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him.” Thus, Jehosheba was not just an aunt to Joash, she was also the wife of the priest, Jehoiada. 

In other words, both Athaliah and Jehosheba were public figures. Athaliah was the mother of the late king and Jehosheba was the sister of the late king and the wife of the priest. These two women all had some sort of power. Athaliah used her own power to take away lives. Jehosheba, on the other hand, used her power to save a life. Jehosheba’s compassion is a typology of the compassion God has for us. Jehosheba saw in Joash a helpless baby who was likely to be killed by a heartless woman. Jehosheba risked everything to hide Joash and his nurse. The wicked Athaliah could have killed Jehosheba for that rescue mission, but Jehosheba still went ahead and saved a soul. Six years after this rescue mission, Joash, then seven years old, was crowned as a king (2 Kings 11:21). The evil Athaliah received the wages of her sins, she was killed (2 Kings 11:15‭-‬16). King Joash had his own flaws but he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him (2 Kings 12:2). Joash did some major repairs on the temple of God in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:1-16). 

The story of Jehosheba teaches us to have compassion for the poor, weak and vulnerable. We also learn that whatever position we find ourselves can be used to save lives or to waste lives. We identify that sometimes, taking the stand for the good could be risky but it pays off in the long term. Jehosheba teaches us that women can play significant roles even if they work in the background. You don’t necessarily need to be the queen to fight, you can be the wife and still be a warrior. Women who look forward to a bigger stage to do exploits might end up doing nothing but those who create their own opportunities even in the unlikely situations would be celebrated. Don’t be comfortable in your small space, be a Jehosheba who identifies the wrong and fix it with the right. 

Athaliah: The Destroyer of Royal Family

Ahab and his wife Jezebel we considered in a previous post did lots of evil before the Lord. Although Ahab was forgiven because he humbled himself, his son still faced the consequences of Ahab’s sins. 1 Kings 21: 28-29, the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” Ahab’s first successor was Ahaziah, his son. Ahaziah died because he fell from his lattice and injured himself. Instead of consulting God, he consulted  Baal-Zebub. 2 Kings 1:17 states that, “So he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. Because Ahaziah had no son, Joram succeeded him as king. Joram was another son of Ahab. During the kingship of Joram, Jehu, the army commander rebelled. Joram (king of Israel) was with Ahaziah, the king of Judah (remember Joram’s own late brother was also known as Ahaziah!) when Jehu attacked them. When Joram discovered Jehu’s evil intentions, “Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” When Ahaziah king of Judah saw what had happened, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan. Jehu chased him, shouting, “Kill him too!” They wounded him in his chariot on the way up to Gur near Ibleam, but he escaped to Megiddo and died there. His servants took him by chariot to Jerusalem and buried him with his ancestors in his tomb in the City of David” (2 Kings 9:23‭, ‬27‭-‬28). Thus both Israel and Judah lost their kings in the hands of Jehu, the commander of Israel’s army.

When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. (2 Kings 11:1)

This incident didn’t go down well with Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah (king of Judah). 2 Kings 11:1 states that, “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.” How can a single woman hold so much power? Who did she collaborate with to exterminate the royal family? However, one son was spared by the sister of Ahaziah known as Jehosheba. She took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed (see 2 Kings 11:2). Joash remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land (2 Kings 11:3). Thus, Athaliah did not just destroy the royal family, she assumed a leadership role and reigned over the land. She destroyed the royal family so she could become the ruler of the land. Her quest for violence was not justified. Her son Ahaziah was attacked by Jehu in Israel (the Northern Kingdom) so she had no excuse to murder the people in Judah (the Southern Kingdom). Her vengeance was unjustified and barbaric. 

After six years, Jehoiada, the priest, brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!” (2 Kings 11:12). Athaliah was unaware of the activities in the temple. She didn’t even know that a remnant remained after her mass murder of the royal house. The shouts from the temple got to the palace. “When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!” (2 Kings 11:13‭-‬14). Athaliah felt betrayed that the legitimate son of the late king was being crowned as the king. She wanted to rule, she wanted power and she was not ready to share the throne. However, it was too late for her. Athaliah’s evil cup was full. When she got to the temple, Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of the Lord.” So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death (2 Kings 11:15‭-‬16).

The land was rid of an evil and wicked woman and the true son of the late king was given his rightful position. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 11:21). Joash’s father (Ahaziah) had a wrong association with the wrong king (Joram). The death destined for Joram also took Ahaziah. Not happy with the death of his son, Athaliah took matters in her own hands and destroyed the royal family. The confusion in the whole palace began because of Ahaziah’s meeting with Joram. 

You should be intentional about who you mingle with. Not every good person is a God-fearing person. If you follow the crowd, you might end up a victim. 

The mother who ate her son because of famine

Women are naturally considered as possessing the following traits: sensitive, sweetness, nurturing, gentleness, supportive, calmness, expressive  affection, empathy  tenderness, being emotional, kind, kind, helpful, devoted among many others. These traits are mostly revealed in females and although we have individual differences, most women will likely possess two or more of these traits. The compassion of a mother towards their child is so much expressed in different cultures that in some cultures of the world, God is attributed with motherly qualities that show his deep love and care for His children.  The Bible also shares some of the attributes of God using feminine metaphors. For example, Isaiah 49: 15 compares God to a very committed nursing mother: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
Isaiah 66:13 presents a metaphor of God comforting His people just as a mother comforts her child: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
These verses among many others show God’s love, care, compassion, comfort, protection etc. revealed in feminine metaphors. On a daily basis, we experience mothers who go all out to ensure the sustenance of their children. No wonder mother’s day is highly patronized and celebrated across the world. For most people who grew up in broken homes, their mothers were the pillars of their lives.

As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, “Help me, my Lord the king!” (2 Kings 6:26)

Thus, it is highly unlikely that a mother would suddenly become so mean, cruel and wicked to her own children. But, it is possible and on daily basis, some mothers are charged with child abuse claims. The Bible records the story of famine in Israel and its consequences. The Aramean king  Ben-Hadad mobilized his entire army and marched up and laid siege to Samaria. Samaria was the capital of Israel (Northern Kingdom and Jerusalem was the capital of Judah ( Southern Kingdom). This siege brought a great famine in the city. The siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a cab of seed pods for five shekels (see 2 Kings 6:24‭-‬25). Thus, everyone was affected. In a similar incident of famine (commanded by Elijah) we saw the widow of Zarephath concerned about her life and that of her son. However, in this famine, we have different types of women. Two women planned to kill and eat their sons in order to survive the hunger. What! They went ahead and killed the first son and ate him. But, the second woman was unwilling to release her own son to be eaten. The king of Israel passed by the wall and the woman whose son was eaten cried to the king, “Help me, my Lord the king!” (2 Kings 6:26). The king replied, “If the Lord does not help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?” (2 Kings 6:27). The king thought the woman was looking for food. 

Then the king asked her, “What’s the matter?” The woman answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him today, and tomorrow we’ll eat my son.’ So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him” (2 Kings 6:28-29). The king was appalled by these words, and he tore his robes. What type of a mother eats up her son? What sort of wickedness is this? When did this woman lose all her traits of feminine and human sense and turned to a cannibal? Was she the only mother going through the famine? What type of woman was she? What type of friend was she keeping? Was she mentally stable? We could go on asking different questions as to why a mother had the courage to do this barbaric and wicked act to her own son. This woman was living in a war zone like many others, her source of livelihood was taken and the city was shut. The armies of Aram made it impossible for anything to enter or leave Samaria. In this state of extreme lack and vulnerability, this woman and her friend planned and performed a barbaric act that could potentially lead them to be ostracized from the society. They lost every respect and their statuses as mothers were questioned.

What will cause people to be so helpless and vain to the extent of eating their own children? For the people of Israel, they had a covenant with God and breaking this covenant made them susceptible to commit some of the heinous sins of the neighboring nations. Leviticus 26:14-46 lists some punishments for the disobeying God. Leviticus 26:27-29 states this: “ If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over. You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.” Thus, the woman’s action reflected the evil of the wider society. 

But, we should take note, whenever you are at your lowest point, be careful of what you say, where you go, what you do and who you talk to. Don’t allow yourself to be at the mercy of the law because you failed to control your emotions. Hunger is real, but no hunger should necessitate that you kill to eat. Be open and ask for help when possible.  No murderer, thief or wicked person had a place in Heaven (Revelation 22:15). If your condition has caused you to become accustomed to sinful acts, a clarion call is being made to you today. 

Jezebel: The promoter of Idolatry

Certain women in Biblical history are seen as evil, manipulative and wicked. Their presence gave birth to more wickedness and evil and their evil ways of life led the nation astray. One of such women is Jezebel. The lifestyle of Jezebel and the influence she had over her husband and the nation cannot be overemphasized. Who is Jezebel and why is she relevant in Biblical history? Jezebel was a Sidonian Princess who later became the wife of king Ahab. Sidon was a pagan nation and they did not worship the Lord. Jezebel grew up serving Baal, Asherah and the many gods of the Sidonians. Ahab brought her to Samaria, the capital of Israel (Northern Kingdom). There, Jezebel established herself and used her authourity to promote idolatry in Israel.  No wonder God warned the Israelites against marrying foreign women so their hearts are not drawn to follow foreign gods. 

He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. (1 Kings 16:31)

Ahab was not any other king. He followed the evil ways of all the evil kings that had come before him. According to 1 Kings 16:31, Ahab not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him (1 Kings 16:31). In other words, Jezebel was not the only one who worshipped her gods, Ahab was also led astray and he promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah: “He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:32‭-‬33). Jezebel’s evil influence on Israel led the prophet Elijah to prophecy against Israel. Elijah said, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). The whole nation lived in famine for three years because of Jezebel’s evil influence.  When Elijah returned to Samaria after three years, he won the “Power contest” against the prophet of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40). 

Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done in the Power Contest and how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal with the sword (1 Kings 19:1), Jezebel was angry and sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them” (1 Kings 19:2). The prophet fled for his life. Elijah had killed 450 prophets of Baal, but he feared one woman and took to his heels. Thus, even the prophet of God knew how influential and manipulative Jezebel was. God Himself had to send his angel to encourage Elijah and to send the prophet food to eat (1 Kings 19:5-9). Jezebel’s idolatry was so pungent that she is seen as an image of Idolatry even in the book of Revelation (Revelation 2:20). Jezebel represents the relationship with strange women that led to the turning of the hearts of the people of God to follow foreign gods. She was resolute and her corrupting influence led the whole nation away from God. Her husband became her biggest sponsor and he built altars for Baal and Asherah all across his kingdom. 

Jezebel was not repentant even when the prophet Elijah miraculously prayed for fire and destroyed the prophets of Baal. She rather became poised for more evil. She would rather kill Elijah than serve God. Even when her husband Ahab fasted and prayed and God forgave him (1 Kings 21:27-29), Jezebel refused to change. In the New Testament, Jezebel is the spirit of idolatry. In the letter to the church of Thyatira, Jesus Himself accused the church for tolerating that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who through her teaching misleads God’s servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:20).

Jezebel reminds us that whoever you marry can make or unmake you. An unbelieving, evil, manipulative, idolater, wicked spouse can make you a partner in evil. Ahab’s partnership with Jezebel led to all the evil he committed. He was schooled, trained, nurtured and ultimately graduated into idolatry. Before you say “I do”, say “I don’t” to any lifestyle that is contrary to the word of God. You cannot marry someone to change them. Are you God?

Tamar: Revenge and family feud

Our study on Tamar, David’s daughter, is not over. Amnon’s amorous desire and subsequent rape of Tamar didn’t go down well with his father David and his brother Absalom. According to 2 Samuel 13: 21-22, “when King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.” Scripture does not mention the disciplinary measure David took to mitigate the harm done to Tamar. He was just furious but Amnon went free. On the other hand, Absalom, the brother of Tamar, didn’t even say a single word about the incident to Amnon. In his silence, Absalom nurtured hatred for his brother Amnon. Is there something David could have done to alleviate the hurt in this incident? Maybe, he could have had an open discussion with the affected parties to ensure that no one is bitter. Further, Amnon should have been disciplined for his uncouth behavior. David himself was recovering from his own amorous relationship and the consequences of his sins. He might have taken this incident lightly and his lack of proactive measures caused more harm than good. 

Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman. (2 Samuel 13:20)

Tamar was bruised emotionally and physically. She was dishonoured by someone she trusted. In her act of service to her own brother, her innocence was taken away. She was hurt, broken and driven away like an ordinary servant. Until you experience pain and rejection from the people you love, you might not fully understand the pain Tamar had to go through. Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.” (2 Samuel 13:20). Tamar was left broken and wounded, she became desolate in her own father’s house. Amnon’s wickedness didn’t go unnoticed. For two years, Absalom nursed a grudge with his brother and looked for the perfect opportunity to strike. Absalom had every right to be angry but to seek vengeance, was something he was not supposed to do no matter the pain. David might have left a loophole for further confrontation but Absalom should have sought a better redress other than a decision to kill. 

Amnon’s predicament came two years after he had raped his sister. I am sure Amnon would have thought that Absalom had forgotten about the incident. But, Absalom had an evil plan. He invited all his brothers to his sheep-shearing and he ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.”(2 Samuel 13:28‭-‬29). Absalom killed Amnon for raping his sister Tamar. Absalom had a feud with Amnon because of what he did to Tamar and he sought revenge the wrong way. While David mourned the possibility of the death of his sons, Amnon’s advisor, Jonadab, the same person who proposed the best way to get Tamar came to speak with David. He said, “My Lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.” (2 Samuel 13:32). Jonadab knew all this while that Absalom had such intentions and waited for the harm to be done. Friends like Jonadab should be avoided. They will lead you to evil and leave you in it while they escape from the consequences of their evil plans. 

The feud in king David’s palace was made worse. First, David’s own adultery and murder of Uriah;them Amnon raped Tamar and Absalom killed Amnon. In the midst of all these brouhaha, were women who were hurt, wounded and treated as second class to the men. Absalom fled for his life leaving his desolate sister behind. Indeed Absalom really loved his sister Tamar and even named his own daughter Tamar “and she became a beautiful woman” (2 Samuel 14:27). The story is far from over. The fire in David’s palace is yet to be quenched. 

One big lesson from this story is from Deuteronomy 32:35: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Sometimes, seeking revenge escalates the situation out of proportion.

Tamar: Raped and Hated

Imagine if there was a television station in 1000 BCE about the time of the reign of king David. With all the hullabaloo of the royal house, one news that might potentially cause the first son of the king to lose all access to the throne would be this: “King David’s palace was alerted today of an incident in Amnon’s quarters. Amnon, the son of Ahinoam and the first son of the king cunningly raped Tamar the daughter of the king through his wife Maakah. Tamar is the beautiful sister of the handsome Absalom.” Although there were no televisions in 1000 BCE and maybe an unfortunate incident such as the rape of the king’s daughter might not be announced publicly, it would no doubt affect Amnon’s reputation and Tamar’s self esteem. Amnon’s obsession with his own sister was no good. Even the advisor of Amnon saw that Amnon was looking haggard. Amnon confessed to his shrewd advisor  known as Jonadab that he was in love with Tamar. 

Upon Jonadab’s counsel, Amnon lied to David and had Tamar go to his house and make some bread for him. Tamar did not refuse to help a sick brother. She went and baked the bread as was expected. Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat and rather said  “Send everyone out of here” and so everyone left him (2 Samuel 13:9). Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom (2 Samuel 13:10). Tamar had no slight idea that her brother was up to no good. She innocently followed the instructions of her elder brother without no malice intent. However, when she took the bread to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister” (2 Samuel 13:11). Tamar gave Amnon enough reasons to persuade Amnon from raping her. She said: “No, my brother! Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” (2 Samuel 13:12‭-‬13). 

But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her. (2 Samuel 13:14)

Amnon was bent on evil and without remorse, he went ahead with his evil plans. He refused to listen to the words of counsel from Tamar and since he was stronger than His sister, he raped her (2 Samuel 13:14). What was Tamar’s crime to deserve this shameful treatment? As if that was not enough, Amnon drove her out of his house. After raping her, the infatuation was over. Amnon’s obsession was never out of love. He was just looking for an opportunity to sleep with his sister. The aftermath of the rape was this: Amnon hated Tamar with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” (2 Samuel 13:15). Which kind of wickedness is this? Even when Tamar begged him not to throw her out, Amnon refused to listen. Amnon called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her” (2 Samuel 13:17). Like how? None of this makes sense. Amnon was a wicked and heartless young man. Imagine him as a king of Israel. Far from it! His actions did not just rid him of his position as the first born, it also made him a “wicked fool” just as Tamar had cautioned. Tamar was disgraced, raped and hated by her own brother. As the cultural sign, “Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing” and “she put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went” (2 Samuel 13:19).

In case you cannot stand the wickedness of Amnon, know that there are hundreds, thousands and even ten thousands of Amnons in the 21st century. These are men who are bent on evil. Some of these Amnons have raped their own wives, raped their children, raped their sisters, raped their friends, raped strangers, raped students etc. Fortunately, some of these Amnons have been arrested and charged for their crimes and yet others are walking about causing more pain and havoc. Amnon’s advisor,  Jonadab is the kind of friend you might want to avoid. The counsel of Jonadab was evil and yet, only Amnon would suffer the consequences of listening to Jonadab. 

Dear sisters, if you have an Amnon in your life that makes life uncomfortable for you, reach out to the appropriate authorities for help. 
Dear brothers, be a keeper of the women around you. Don’t let their kindness become a stepping stone to your evil intent. God will surely punish every evil. 
Dear lawmaker, don’t ignore the pleas of Tamars and don’t free the Amnons. 

Tamar: The beautiful sister of Absalom son of David

The household of king David had different women and this resulted in the birth of different children. As the children of the king, they had preferential treatment and were more respected than their contemporaneous. They would have obviously enjoyed the glamor and the attention. However, the children of David were not without errors. Their stories among many “parenting gone wrong” stories in the Bible presents a caution to parents to be more effective and down to earth. David’s firstborn was Amnon whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel (2 Samuel 3:2b). David’s wife Maakah also gave birth to Absalom and his sister Tamar. Therefore, Amnon and Tamar are related. We could certainly say that they are siblings. Therefore no matter how attractive Tamar was, she remained Amnon’s sister.

In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. (2 Samuel 13:1)

David’s household had recovered from the sin with Bethsheba that led to God’s vengeance on the baby born out of adultery. The family had moved on but the curse of David’s sin still loomed on his family: “Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own” (2 Samuel 12:10). 2 Samuel 13:1 states that “in the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.” The first red flag mentioned in this verse was that Amnon, son of David, fell in love with Tamar, daughter of David. What exactly made Amnon, David’s firstborn to fall in love with his blood sister? If Amnon had taken his Torah lessons seriously, he should have known that it was highly impossible to be married to his sister. Leviticus 18:11 states that “Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.” The Law forbade such incestuous relationships and no matter how beautiful Tamar was, she would have been good enough for another man other than her brother. 

The desire of Amnon was definitely an obsession which had no good goal. Tamar was indeed beautiful, so was her brother Absalom. In fact 2 Samuel 14:25-26 describes Absalom this way: “In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard.” If beauty and handsome were personified, definitely Maakah’s children born to king David would have been called Beauty and Handsome. But, no matter how stunning and attractive Tamar was, she was a no goal zone for her brother Amnon. Therefore any feeling of love or infatuation was unnecessary. Amnon could only express sisterly love (philio) towards Tamar and nothing else.

Amnon’s obsession with Tamar caused him to make himself ill (2 Samuel 13:2). Tamar was a virgin and there was nothing Amnon could do to have her. Tamar would have been living her life without the slightest idea that her own brother was getting himself sick with obsession for her. Amnon obsession was a reckless one and it was leading to no good. Tamar was no ordinary lady he could easily convince, she was the daughter of the king and his own sister. Amnon’s erotic desires towards Tamar kept dragging him towards evil. James 1:15 states that “after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Amnon was threading on a path that was leading to no good. He was on a similar path as his father David when he saw Bethsheba taking her bath.

If we are not careful to control our desires, our own desires will conceive and give birth to sin. Then, the sin will continue the cycle until it is fully grown and gives birth to death. The wages of sin is death. Be on your guard. Not every beauty should be desired!

Bethsheba: Widow of Uriah and wife of David

Whenever people use their position of influence to get things done their way even if it hurts others, we equate such people as evil, wicked and lacking empathy. If the only way to achieve your self interests is to hurt and step on the weak and the vulnerable, then you have no compassion. There are many people who rise to the top or achieve their goal on the backs of the weak and vulnerable. Such people go the extra mile to get what they want no matter the consequences on the people around them. David, Uriah and Bethsheba’s story in the Bible depicts such wickedness. Uriah left his wife home to fight for the nation and the king who was expected to lead the army to war idled at home and impregnated the wife of the committed soldier. When the king’s attempt to cover his sin failed, he devised a plan which led to the death of Uriah. Uriah’s death left his wife in a vulnerable state. Meanwhile, the king had another plan. 

After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. (2 Samuel 11:27)

Bethsheba’s life changed suddenly because she took a bath at the time the king was taking a walk on his roof. An activity of general body hygiene led to a series of other events that ultimately led her to lose her husband and marriage. We can’t blame Bethsheba since she was the vulnerable person in this incident. Uriah’s death was reported to Bethsheba when she heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband (2 Samuel 11:26). Right after the mourning was over, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. However, David’s actions displeased the Lord (Samuel 11:27). David’s insatiable desire did not just lead to adultery, he progressed to murder. If you think David was too sudden to marry Bethsheba, remember Abigail and how he quickly married her right after the death of Nabal.

Just like Abigail, Bethsheba couldn’t have resisted the offer to marry the king. First, she was in a vulnerable position and if her one-night stand with the king was exposed, she would face the consequences of it. Second, being a woman without a husband and living alone could attract men of all sorts. She was not safe even while her husband was alive but away fighting for the nation. Thirdly, she was already pregnant for David and instead of living the life of a concubine, she couldn’t resist the offer to live the life of the king’s wife. Was Bethsheba aware that David had her husband killed? We don’t know that but what we know is that the widow of Uriah became the wife of the king right after her mourning period. Bethsheba might have had to keep a straight face among the other wives of David. She was the newbie who seemed to have the attention of the king. She lost Uriah but became the king’s favourite wife. The story is far from over. If you are reading this post and are unhappy with David’s actions, imagine the Lord. 

Bethsheba’s story is relevant in the 21st century. On a daily basis, we still hear similar stories of how the weak and vulnerable people are coerced to do things that satisfy the whims and caprices of the mighty and powerful. There are many people who have suffered the fate of Uriah. They went out to do a good cause but they were used as stepping stones to achieve the desires of their masters. In some cases, women do not even have the right to choose their own spouses. Others are married off to pay family debt. David’s marriage to Bethsheba was out of inconvenience. He did that to cover his vile actions. 

Finally, if you are a person of authority, do not take the weak, the poor and vulnerable people for granted. The God of the rich and famous people, is the same God of the poor and vulnerable. He will surely avenge every evil.