Amnon's cousin was a horrible advisor, giving Amnon what might be the worst advice given in the Bible. Amnon lusted after his half-sister Tamar. Amnon's cousin's advice, "Just take what you want." Lust and greed are two of the "seven deadly sins" and in this case, as we will read, will really cause death, family tragedy, and disgrace to the house of David and the kingdom of God.

Who are your top three advisors when you have a difficult decision to make?

Do you believe the following words describe them? Honest, Godly, and Calm. If so, stick with them closely. If not, find someone that meets those criteria.

Lust is a terrible master. Many a life has been ruined because both men and women claim they just "could not help themselves." This story is lust on steroids because just like his father, Amnon refused to stay within God's law. Right after the story of David's affair with Bathsheba, David's son decides to "take what's not his" as well. Surely Amnon remembered what his father had done with Bathsheba, but he also saw his father go in and out of the rooms of his many wives and concubines. To make matters worse, David was also an inattentive father. Amnon was only following in his father's footsteps.

What patterns do you see in your life that you know were in your parent's lives as well?

At what point are you responsible for your own actions rather than wondering what it would be like if your parents would have been better examples to you?

Like Tamar, many people are hurt when we don't do what we know is right. Is there anyone that needs to know you recognize your shortcomings and are truly sorry for any damage you have caused?

2 Samuel 13:21-30

When someone is raging it's pretty obvious and we can usually figure out what the problem is and come to some type of understanding of what would resolve the issue. When someone is silent and plotting revenge, danger is nearer than we could imagine. It appears Tamar's brother waited for David to bring Amnon to justice. He waited for two years, but apathy had set in and David refused to address this hideous sin. Absalom was now angry at his sister's rapist and even at his own father. It appears Absalom planned to destroy Amnon and David, but David did not accept the invitation to the party at the home of Absalom. There are at least four lessons in this story for us to remember.

Reread the passage and write down every word or phrase that would help you prevent conflict in your home.

Pray these verses as if you are the writer of the Psalm.