Tamar

Tamar was a daughter of King David whose assault by Amnon becomes a central episode in the crisis of David’s household. Absalom’s revenge for her treatment contributes to murder, exile and rebellion within the royal family.

Tamar was born in Hebron. Tamar’s story in 2 Samuel exposes both Amnon’s violence and David’s failure to act; Absalom later kills Amnon in revenge, and the resulting family rupture contributes to his rebellion against David.

Geraldine Brooks’ The Secret Chord portrays Tamar as one of the people most grievously damaged by David’s household politics. Her rape by her half-brother Amnon and David’s failure to punish him become part of the chain of family violence that drives Absalom towards vengeance and rebellion, forcing the novel to set the celebrated king’s achievements beside the suffering within his own family.