How important is the role of the father

as the head of the household?

Tamar, who had been raped by her half-brother Amnon, was living desolately in her brother Absalom’s house.  During that time, Absalom harbored hatred toward Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar and refused to speak to him at all (2 Samuel 13:20, 22).  Two years later (v. 23), Absalom killed Amnon (v. 29).  During those two years, how deeply must Absalom have nurtured his hatred and sharpened his sword of vengeance against Amnon for violating his sister?  Meanwhile, their father, David, upon hearing all that Amnon had done to Tamar, was furious (v. 21).  Yet the Scripture does not record that David, as a father, ever rebuked or disciplined his foolish son Amnon in love.  Nor does it mention David visiting or comforting his desolate daughter Tamar, who was living in Absalom’s house.  Perhaps David, as the king of Israel, was so consumed with the affairs of the nation that he had no time to tend to the needs of his family.