Bible Strands
2 Samuel 13:32
But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jonadab, identified as the son of David’s brother Shimeah, speaks directly to King David immediately after the royal servants deliver the report of Amnon’s death. He interrupts the king’s moment of standing, tearing his clothes, and lying on the ground in grief.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יַּ֡עַן (va/i.Ya.'an) literally means "and he answered," marking Jonadab’s direct reply to the preceding report. The particle אַל־ ('al-) translates as "may not," introducing Jonadab’s urgent correction of the king’s assumption.
The thread — The pattern of calculated familial revenge mirrors the grudge Esau held against Jacob in Genesis 27:41. Jonadab’s genealogical introduction connects directly to his earlier description as a shrewd man in 2 Samuel 13:3.
Why it lands — The text states that Jonadab clarifies only Amnon is dead while revealing Absalom’s long-standing motive. It requires the reader to see how political counsel immediately shapes a ruler’s response to tragedy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
Cross-references
- Genesis 27:41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
- 1 Samuel 16:9 Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
- 2 Samuel 13:3 Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,
- Psalms 7:14 Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood.
- Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.