The Rape of Tamar

King David lived in times of old. His military exploits were quite bold.
Still it is a well known fact, that at times David failed to act.
In justice for Tamar he failed and in the end his loss he wailed.
His kingdom was split apart, although he was very smart.
He failed to punish Amnon for his deed. Which was his lust he did feed.
On the flesh of Tamar most innocent. Of this he did not repent.
She did consent to be his mate. But on ceremony they must wait.
On the King’s approving will. A little time yet to kill.
But Amnon in his lust couldn’t wait And so he sealed his fate.
He took her by brute force, and in a manner coarse.
Then threw her from his house. Proving he was quite a louse.
For Tamar had been rudely violated. By Amnon to whom she was related.
From justice he almost skated. But his demise was swiftly fated.
Absalom learned of what was done. Though he was David’s favorite son,
Revenge in anger was his vow. His sister was no ugly cow.
To be treated in such rude way. Anger he could not hold at bay
She had consented to be Amnon’s mate, but in his lust he could not wait,
for King David to approve the match. And so do many troubles hatch.
For a man with no self control, does take on others a heavy toll.
And when David heard the news, though angry, he did refuse,
to call attention to the crime. To punish this errant slime.
Tamar poured ashes on her head. In sorrow she wished she were dead.
But it was not she who was to blame. In Amnon was the dirty shame.
At Absalom’s party Amnon did calmly sit, drinking wine, eating treats, that princely bit.
But at the signal that was given, life from Amnon was quickly driven.
Justice is what we all need, revenge just causes us to bleed.
All these events are in a book, if you doubt just take a look.
From the kingdom did Absalom run, even though he was David’s son
Absalom did an  army raise, but not to give David praise.
But to kill him very dead, and to mount upon a pike his head.
And thus, the armies did do battle, they were slaughtered just like cattle.
Absalom’s hair got stuck in a tree, and Joab threw spears three,
Directly into Absalom’s heart. Joab well knew this  art.
Thus did Absalom’s life end, alone and with no friend.
When David heard the news, his joy he did quickly lose.
So bad was the hurt, that David tore his shirt.
David’s grief was very great, but at least at any rate,
the war was over, done, well, it wasn’t ever really fun.
David did lament woe untold, this is how the story’s told.
And there were 20,000 dead, so it must be said,
“When justice is not done, the people cease  to be  one.”