2 Samuel 13 5

2 Samuel 13:5 kjv

And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

2 Samuel 13:5 nkjv

So Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.' "

2 Samuel 13:5 niv

"Go to bed and pretend to be ill," Jonadab said. "When your father comes to see you, say to him, 'I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.'?"

2 Samuel 13:5 esv

Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.'"

2 Samuel 13:5 nlt

"Well," Jonadab said, "I'll tell you what to do. Go back to bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, ask him to let Tamar come and prepare some food for you. Tell him you'll feel better if she prepares it as you watch and feeds you with her own hands."

2 Samuel 13 verses

2 Samuel 13 5 Meaning

This verse details Jonadab's cunning counsel to Amnon, instructing him on how to deceptively orchestrate a private encounter with Tamar. It describes a precise plot involving Amnon feigning illness, requesting Tamar specifically to prepare food in his presence, and then feeding him by hand, all designed to isolate her for a sinister purpose.

2 Samuel 13 5 Context

This verse is pivotal within the narrative of 2 Samuel chapter 13, which details the rape of Tamar by her half-brother Amnon. Chapter 13 begins with Amnon's infatuation for Tamar and his torment. Jonadab, Amnon's shrewd cousin, approaches him and inquires about his distress. This specific verse (13:5) records Jonadab's practical, malicious advice for Amnon to achieve his vile objective. The broader historical context is David's kingship, particularly the domestic turmoil and consequences of his own sins (2 Samuel 11-12). This act of incest and violation within David's royal household directly fulfills the prophet Nathan's curse in 2 Samuel 12:11, where divine judgment promised that "evil will rise against you from your own household." The chapter's events eventually lead to Absalom's murderous revenge on Amnon and subsequent rebellion against David, demonstrating the profound ripple effect of sin and unchecked desires.

2 Samuel 13 5 Word analysis

• And Jonadab said to him:

  • This highlights Jonadab's initiative and influence. He is not merely responding but actively plotting.

• "Lie down on your bed, and pretend to be ill.":

  • Lie down (Hebrew: שְׁכַב, shākab): While literally meaning "to recline" or "lie down," this verb also frequently denotes sexual intercourse in the Old Testament (e.g., Gen 19:32, 2 Sam 12:11). Its dual meaning, especially in light of Amnon's ultimate intention, carries a sinister foreshadowing. It evokes a private, intimate setting.
  • pretend to be ill (Hebrew: הִתְחַל, hithchallal from חָלָה, ḥālāh): To make oneself sick, feign illness, pretend to be weak or ill. This reveals the core of the deception, using vulnerability as a manipulative tool. It establishes a false premise for royal attention and Tamar's presence.

• "And when your father comes to see you, say to him,":

  • Emphasizes the strategic nature of the lie; it must be presented to King David directly, making the request seem legitimate and securing his approval. It exploits David's paternal care.

• "‘Please let my sister Tamar come and make some food for me, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’":

  • my sister Tamar (Hebrew: אֲחוֹתִי תָּמָר, ăḥôṯî Tāmār): Explicitly naming Tamar reinforces the targeted nature of the plot. The familial title "sister" makes the request seem innocent, while ironically betraying the trust inherent in the relationship.
  • make some food for me (Hebrew: עָשָׂה לִי לֶחֶם, ʿāśâ lî leḥem): Literally "make bread for me." This common phrase for preparing a meal is specific and practical, enhancing the realism of the feigned illness.
  • prepare the food in my sight (Hebrew: לְעֵינַי, lᵉʿênay): "Before my eyes." This is an unusual and particular request for an ill person, ostensibly so Amnon can watch the preparation process (perhaps for appetite or comfort). However, its true significance is to ensure Tamar remains confined and directly accessible to Amnon, giving him control and observation, facilitating isolation.
  • and eat it from her hand (Hebrew: וְאָכַלְתִּי מִיָּדָהּ, wᵉʾāḵalṯî mîyāḏāh): This is the culminating act of intimacy and dependency in the request. It suggests weakness and vulnerability on Amnon's part, requiring Tamar's close assistance, further solidifying her presence and close proximity. It signifies an intimate act of care, which Amnon will twist into an opportunity for violence.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Lie down on your bed, and pretend to be ill.": This phrase establishes the pretense. It’s a deliberate act of deception designed to elicit sympathy and privacy. It removes Amnon from public scrutiny and places him in a vulnerable, intimate setting where his true intentions can be executed without immediate intervention.
  • "Please let my sister Tamar come and make some food for me, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.": This detailed request demonstrates a shrewd understanding of psychology and family dynamics. The specific, seemingly innocent, demands ("my sister," "in my sight," "from her hand") serve multiple purposes: (1) it makes the request plausible for an invalid, (2) it ensures Tamar's sole presence, (3) it restricts her movement and guarantees her close proximity, and (4) it creates a controlled environment where Amnon can act. It masks an underlying predator’s scheme with an aura of legitimate familial concern and vulnerability.

2 Samuel 13 5 Bonus section

• Jonadab's character as "very crafty" (2 Sam 13:3) is essential for understanding his role. His advice is not mere suggestion but a well-thought-out manipulative scheme. His "craftiness" (Hebrew: חָכָם מְאֹד, ḥākām mᵉʾōd, though ʾîsh ḥākām in other contexts often implies wisdom, here the context makes it clear it's worldly cunning, like Ahithophel's "wisdom" being a curse to David later) is a key to orchestrating the initial violation that ultimately contributes to David's kingdom tearing apart.
• The domestic setting is ironically the locus of this great sin. The home, intended as a safe haven, becomes a trap. This highlights how easily personal spaces can be corrupted and trust violated.
• This specific ruse is not about Tamar's cooking ability, but her physical presence and vulnerability. The "food" is a mere prop for the sexual assault that Amnon desires.
• The King's readiness to grant such a request highlights the power dynamics of the time: David, unaware of the sinister plot, accommodates his seemingly sick son, unintentionally facilitating the tragedy. This illustrates how positions of authority can be leveraged for abuse and how even well-meaning actions can have unforeseen catastrophic consequences when hidden sin is at play.

2 Samuel 13 5 Commentary

2 Samuel 13:5 presents Jonadab’s morally corrupt genius, advising Amnon on a calculated stratagem to fulfill his wicked desire for Tamar. This seemingly innocent instruction—to feign illness and request special care from Tamar—is, in fact, the precise blueprint for sexual assault. The meticulously detailed steps aim to remove Tamar from her household's protection, isolating her under the guise of an invalid's special needs. The emphasis on Tamar's personal attendance and direct feeding highlights Jonadab's awareness that physical proximity and a sense of responsibility would be crucial to Amnon's plan. This verse serves as a chilling testament to the dangers of unchecked desire coupled with malicious cunning, initiating a cascade of tragic events for David’s family, fulfilling prophetic warnings, and ultimately showcasing the devastating impact of sin when it is nurtured and facilitated rather than repented of and resisted. This act underscores how deceptive appearances can be used to violate trust and inflict harm, setting a stark example of evil operating under a veneer of vulnerability.