This verse from 2 Samuel 14:27 serves two primary purposes:
Genealogical Record: It provides a basic record of Absalom's family, specifically mentioning his three sons and his daughter Tamar. In biblical times, lineage was extremely important, and this verse helps to place Absalom within the Davidic line and to track his descendants (though his sons' fates are not discussed further).
Introduction and Characterization: The mention of Tamar's exceptional beauty is significant. In the Bible, physical attractiveness is often associated with destiny, potential, or vulnerability. In Tamar's case, her beauty foreshadows her tragic story in 2 Samuel 13, where she is raped by her half-brother Amnon. Her beauty makes her a target of lust and violence, and this brief mention sets the stage for the traumatic events to come.
So, the verse is a simple family listing, but it also subtly hints at Tamar's significance in the narrative. It highlights her beauty as a relevant factor that contributes to the subsequent tragic events in her life. It's a simple statement with a significant undertone that impacts the rest of the story.
This verse from 2 Samuel 14:27 serves two primary purposes:
Genealogical Record: It provides a basic record of Absalom's family, specifically mentioning his three sons and his daughter Tamar. In biblical times, lineage was extremely important, and this verse helps to place Absalom within the Davidic line and to track his descendants (though his sons' fates are not discussed further).
Introduction and Characterization: The mention of Tamar's exceptional beauty is significant. In the Bible, physical attractiveness is often associated with destiny, potential, or vulnerability. In Tamar's case, her beauty foreshadows her tragic story in 2 Samuel 13, where she is raped by her half-brother Amnon. Her beauty makes her a target of lust and violence, and this brief mention sets the stage for the traumatic events to come.
So, the verse is a simple family listing, but it also subtly hints at Tamar's significance in the narrative. It highlights her beauty as a relevant factor that contributes to the subsequent tragic events in her life. It's a simple statement with a significant undertone that impacts the rest of the story.