Rape and Incest
Bible Study Guide
1. Rape of Tamar
Amnon fell desperately in love with Tamar, his half-sister. Amnon pretended to be sick and called Tamar to his bedside to prepare him some food. He first asked Tamar to sleep with him, and when she refused, he raped her. Then, after he raped her, he despised her and would not marry her, as was expected in the culture of the time. Tamar went to her full brother Absalom, and lived in his house as a desolate woman. King David knew of the rape and was angry, but took no action. Absalom quietly waited two years, and then killed Amnon in revenge at a celebration for sheep shearing.
II Samuel 13
2. Lot's Visitors
Lot offered his virgin daughters to the men in exchange for the angels. God's angels took vengeance by blinding the men of Sodom so they could not find the door. At the coming of dawn, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with fire and brimstone.
Genesis 19
3. Rape of Dinah
Pretending to approve of the marriage, Dinah's brothers convinced the men of the town to be circumcised so Shechem could marry Tamar. While the men were recovering from the circumcision, her brothers massacred the men of the town.
Genesis 34
4. Women Captives
The warrior must bring the women home to his household. After she has a month to mourn, then he may "go to her and be her husband". If the man is not pleased with her, she is allowed to leave.
Deuteronomy 21
5. Lot's Daughters
After Sodom was destroyed with fire and brimstone, Lot and his daughters lived in a cave. Because Lot had no sons, his daughters wanted to preserve their father's family line. They got their father drunk, and each slept with him on two consecutive nights. Both became pregnant. One son was named Moab and was father of the Moabites. The other son was named Ammon, and was father of the Ammonites.
Genesis 19
6. False Accusation
Potiphar's wife tried for a number of days to get Joseph into bed with her, and he always refused. Finally, she told Potiphar that Joseph attempted to rape her. Potiphar burned with anger and sent Joseph to prison.
Genesis 39
7. Prince Absalom
Prince Absalom won over the hearts of the people and rebelled against his father King David. The tide of war turned against King David, and he escaped from his palace in Jerusalem, leaving it in Absalom's control. Absalom's advisor Ahithophel gave him this advice: "Sleep with your father's concubines…Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone will be more resolute." His intention was to show his warriors that there was no turning back on the rebellion.
II Samuel 16