Board Thread:Bible Study Forum/@comment-5175866-20160429193720/@comment-1777104-20160520200142

I was going to just "edit" one word above, but the editor would not load.  Amnon was not David's "step-son."  He was a half-brother to Tamar, but a full son to David, father of them both.  I know that mulitple wives can be confusing.  In like manner, in articles about individuals, the inclusion of all their "step-mothers" is not necessary. These woman were competing wives, and not mothers of their competitors.
And yes, "history repeats itself only in that human nature remains the same.  It is not "cyclic" in the sense that things happen because of a set course of events, though.  To God, history is very linear.  We see that in the unfolding of God's plan throughout the Bible.  No theological point is fully developed at the beginning.  We are told that God created everything, and then that He can fulfill his promise or threat as He wills.  He then covenants with men, chosing who He wants while justly punishing others that refuse to follow His ways.  We are not shown the final meaning of things until the very last book: the Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ!
That is why reading the WHOLE Bible is so important.