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2 Samuel 13:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 13:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
2 Samuel 13:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2And Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything unto her.
3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David`s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4And he said unto him, Why, O son of the king, art thou thus lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom`s sister.
5And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and feign thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, Let my sister Tamar come, I pray thee, and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.
6So Amnon lay down, and feigned himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, Let her sister Tamar come, I pray thee, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.
← 2 Samuel 13:22 Samuel 13:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Amnon had a friend, etc.] Though in the issue his friendship proved his ruin: whose name [was] Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; so that they were own cousins, the same with Shammah, (<091609>1 Samuel 16:9); and Jonadab [was] a very subtle man; a very penetrating man into the dispositions of men, and could judge by their countenances what they were, and the affections of their minds, and had a talent in forming schemes; he was wise to do evil and was wickedly cunning.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Jonadab, the son of Shimeah--or Shammah (Sa1 16:9). By the counsel and contrivance of this scheming cousin a plan was devised for obtaining an unrestricted interview with the object of his attachment.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shimeah - Called Shamma (marginal reference), was Jesse’s third son. Subtil - literally, wise. The word is generally used in a good sense, but here, and in Job 5:13, it means crafty. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:3 crafty (literally wise): Jonadab’s “wisdom” was akin to the serpent’s shrewdness (Gen 3:1). • In the context of a royal court, the Hebrew term for friend is closer to “counselor” or “adviser.””
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a friend: Gen 38:1, Gen 38:20; Jdg 14:20; Est 5:10, Est 5:14, Est 6:13; Pro 19:6 Shimeah: Sa2 13:32; Sa1 16:9 Shimeah: subtil man, Sa2 14:2, Sa2 14:19, Sa2 14:20; Gen 3:1; Jer 4:22; Co1 3:19; Jam 3:15 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 13:4”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification