2 Samuel 13 3

2 Samuel 13:3 kjv

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

2 Samuel 13:3 nkjv

But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.

2 Samuel 13:3 niv

Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man.

2 Samuel 13:3 esv

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man.

2 Samuel 13:3 nlt

But Amnon had a very crafty friend ? his cousin Jonadab. He was the son of David's brother Shimea.

2 Samuel 13 verses

2 Samuel 13 3 Meaning

2 Samuel 13:3 introduces Jonadab, a key figure in the tragic narrative of Amnon and Tamar. The verse reveals that Amnon, David's son, had a close companion named Jonadab. Significantly, Jonadab is identified as the son of Shimeah, David's brother, making him Amnon's cousin and David's nephew. The verse highlights Jonadab's defining characteristic: he was "very subtle" or "very cunning." This subtlety, far from being wisdom for good, describes a cleverness used for manipulative and nefarious purposes, directly leading to the heinous crime against Tamar.

2 Samuel 13 3 Context

2 Samuel chapter 13 immediately follows the pivotal narrative of David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent prophecies of judgment on his house, particularly the sword never departing from his house and open rebellion and sexual sin within his own family. This verse sets the stage for the fulfillment of these prophecies. Amnon, David's firstborn son, is consumed by lust for his half-sister Tamar. Jonadab, as David's nephew and Amnon's cousin, occupies a position of familiarity and presumed trust within the royal family. His "subtlety" becomes the critical element that allows Amnon's depraved desire to be executed, turning an illicit passion into a violent act of incestuous rape, which in turn fuels the vengeance of Tamar's full brother, Absalom, ultimately leading to further bloodshed and rebellion within David's kingdom. The narrative reveals how a corrupt inner circle and misguided counsel can trigger profound tragedy, reflecting the moral decay ensuing from the spiritual breach in David's own life.

2 Samuel 13 3 Word analysis

• But: Introduces a shift, contrasting Amnon's internal struggle with an external influence that facilitates his desire.
• Amnon had a friend:
  • Amnon: הָקְשַׁי (Amnon), David's firstborn son (2 Sam 3:2). His position as heir makes his sin, and the counsel he receives, profoundly impactful on the kingdom's stability.
  • friend: רֵעַ (re'a) - "companion, associate, friend." While typically positive, here it's ironic. Jonadab acts as anything but a true friend, instead becoming an enabler of evil, perverting the concept of companionship. True friends correct and challenge, rather than affirm and assist in sin (Prov 27:6, 17).
• whose name was Jonadab:
  • Jonadab: יְהוֹנָדָב (Yehow-nadab) - meaning "YHWH is noble" or "YHWH is generous." The name stands in stark contrast to his character and actions. His very name becomes a subtle polemic against the idea that nobility or divine favor inheres in one merely by name or lineage; true character is revealed by deeds.
• the son of Shimeah, David's brother: Identifies Jonadab as David's nephew and Amnon's cousin, making him a close relative within the royal lineage. This closeness gives him intimate access and trust, which he exploits. Shimeah (or Shimea) is one of David's brothers mentioned in 1 Sam 16:9, 17:13, and 1 Chr 2:13.
• and Jonadab was a very subtle man:
  • very subtle: חָכָם מְאֹד (chakam me'od) or related forms expressing "very cunning/crafty." While the Hebrew word for "subtle" (עָרם - 'arom) is sometimes used elsewhere (e.g., Gen 3:1 for the serpent), the core idea is "cunning, shrewd, ingenious," which can be positive (wise, prudent, Prov 12:16) or negative (crafty, scheming, Ex 21:14). Here, it is decidedly negative. Jonadab's shrewdness is a worldly wisdom, characterized by sharp intellect applied to devious means rather than ethical ends. It denotes a person adept at perceiving, scheming, and manipulating, with a lack of moral discernment or restraint. This "subtlety" is key to how the entire tragic episode unfolds, showing his capability for calculating evil.
  • This "subtlety" aligns more with Jam 3:15-16, which speaks of "wisdom that does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." Jonadab's "subtlety" perfectly fits this description.

2 Samuel 13 3 Bonus section

Jonadab's presence highlights a significant aspect of divine judgment on David's house, showing how personal sin (David's adultery and murder) created an environment where sin could fester and even be assisted within his own family. His character serves as a warning against trusting those who are merely clever but lack moral compass. Interestingly, Jonadab later reappears in 2 Sam 13:32-35, demonstrating his characteristic subtlety and insightful yet detached perspective by being the first to correctly deduce the full scope of Absalom's retaliatory plot against Amnon and other royal sons. This further underscores his shrewd analytical ability, devoid of empathy or ethical constraint, making him a truly chilling and influential figure in the unfolding tragedies of David's household. His actions consistently serve to demonstrate intellectual cleverness used for selfish observation and manipulation, rather than for the good of his kin or adherence to God's moral law.

2 Samuel 13 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 13:3 lays the groundwork for a harrowing tale of familial sin, driven by uncontrolled lust and facilitated by perverted counsel. Jonadab's portrayal as "very subtle" is the critical detail; he is not just a companion but a mastermind of manipulation. His "wisdom" is not divinely inspired counsel, but worldly shrewdness deployed for wicked purposes. This sets up a crucial contrast: the lack of true, godly wisdom in David's court, particularly within his own sons and their associates. Jonadab enables Amnon's lust, transforming a powerful internal struggle into a calculated crime. This verse reminds us that true friendship encourages righteousness and restraint, whereas deceptive counsel leads down paths of destruction, bringing ruin not just to individuals but to entire families and kingdoms. The chapter highlights the insidious danger of those who, through their cleverness, devise and promote evil, especially from positions of trust and familiarity.