Author: Tiana Bosman, Department of Religion and Theology, University of the Western Cape - Academia.edu, ORCID, ResearchGate

Abstract: »In the narrative accounts in 2 Samuel 11-13 (better known under the titles ‘David Commits Adultery with Bathsheba’ and ‘Amnon and Tamar’) the intersection of the stories lie in their common, but often overlooked or perhaps rather covered-up theme – that of rape. In 2 Samuel 11, King David sees, sends for and rapes Bathsheba while her husband is at war. Likewise, in 2 Samuel 13 David’s son, Amnon, cannot contain his infatuation with his half-sister Tamar and rapes her. Different circumstances, but the same act of violence.
These events played out in a patriarchal society where men were the power holders over women. This applied even more to kings and princes who were used to getting their way.
It appears that the story of Bathsheba transgresses that of Tamar since Tamar protests vehemently before and after Amnon rapes her, while Bathsheba is never said to have spoken a word of protest. Throughout history, Bathsheba has often been portrayed as an adulterer or, at the very least, as consenting to David having sex with her.
This paper explores the two different contexts and argues that Bathsheba screamed just as loudly as Tamar did, however, if she had allowed the sounds to escape her lips, she would have had more to lose. She did not dare speak up. (Sadly, she nevertheless lost what she wished to protect.)
Today #MeToo gives a voice to the Tamars who are silenced when trying to speak up and to the Bathshebas who keep silent to stay safe.« (Source: Scriptura)

Contents:

	Abstract (p. 1)
	Introduction (p. 1)
	What’s in a name? (p. 2)
	Bathsheba is raped by David (p. 3)
		The event (p. 3)
		A case for rape (p. 4)
		Bathsheba’s silent scream (p. 6)
	Tamar is raped by Amnon (p. 7)
		The rape scene (p. 7)
		The aftermath (p. 9)
		Tamar’s silenced scream (p. 9)
	Women getting their voices (back) (p. 10)
	Conclusion (p. 11)
	Bibliography (p. 12)

Wikipedia: Ancient history: Ancient Near East / History of ancient Israel and Judah | Bible: Books of Samuel / 2 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 13 | Bible: Rape in the Hebrew Bible / Amnon, Bathsheba, David, Tamar (daughter of David) | Sex and the law: Rape / History of rape