David, Descendant of Tamar

1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Psalm 4; Proverbs 18:16-18

 

The Scriptures contain some pretty twisted stories. One that I find extremely uncomfortable is the story of Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar. She married Judah’s oldest son, who died for his wickedness. So Judah gave her his second son, Onan, to be her husband and produce a son for his brother (a cultural way of looking at things). But Onan refused to help her have a son to carry on his brother’s name, so God killed him, too. And Judah was supposed to have her marry his third son. But he was afraid his third son would die, too, so he never ended up letting Tamar marry him.

 

So Tamar pretended to be a prostitute and actually deceived her father-in-law Judah into sleeping with her so that she could bear children. And she ended up giving birth to twins. This is all recorded in Genesis 38. It’s just a really twisted story.

 

But it’s important! If Tamar hadn’t deceived Judah into sleeping with her, King David might never have been born!

 

Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. – 1 Chron. 2:4

 

The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. – 1 Chron. 2:5

 

The sons born to Hezron were: Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb. – 1 Chron. 2:9

 

Ram was the ancestor of King David (1 Chronicles 2:10-15).

 

Father, You know the course of history – from the beginning. Things that repulse us – and that repulse You! – do not prevent You from accomplishing Your purposes. You still do good to us and for us. Thank You for directing history so faithfully, no matter what people do.