1 Chronicles 3: We’ve All Got Stuff

I couldn’t get past this verse today: “These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.”‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Why is Tamar’s name mentioned? None of the other daughters are. How was she listed in the lineage—especially after what she went through? Tamar’s story was heartbreaking. She was raped and treated so unfairly by her own brother. My first thought was, why highlight that part of David’s family tree? Wouldn’t this disqualify him?

The more I sat with it, the more I realized this: God doesn’t hide the messy parts of His people’s stories. Tamar’s name is a reminder that even in the middle of pain and broken family dynamics, God still weaves His purposes through it all. He brings beauty from ashes. Do I understand why He allows things like that? No, but true love requires freedom, and freedom means we all have choices. Sometimes those choices lead to hard things—but I can know the Lord will use even that.

The enemy loves to remind me of the messiest parts of my story—the places I’d rather keep quiet. For me, one of those areas is drinking. I can’t handle it. A little goes way too far for me, and I end up not thinking clearly. I don’t count days, but I do know it’s a weakness. It’s embarrassing to admit, but it’s real. Reading

Tamar’s name reminded me that the Lord never erases our humanity. He doesn’t pretend our weaknesses or failures don’t exist. He includes them, redeems them, and still uses us for His glory. If He could work through David’s broken family line, He can work through mine too.