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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Amnon {H550} had a friend {H7453}, whose name {H8034} was Jonadab {H3122}, the son {H1121} of Shimeah {H8093} David's {H1732} brother {H251}: and Jonadab {H3122} was a very {H3966} subtil {H2450} man {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Amnon had a friend named Yonadav the son of Shim'ah David's brother; and Yonadav was a very shrewd fellow.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 13:3 introduces Jonadab, a relative of King David and a close confidant to David's son, Amnon. This verse critically describes Jonadab as "a very subtil man," a characterization that immediately signals his manipulative nature and sets the stage for his pivotal, destructive role in engineering Amnon's sin against Tamar. His cunning counsel becomes the catalyst for a tragic chain of events that will unravel David's household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed following Amnon's deep distress over his infatuation with his half-sister, Tamar, as detailed in [2 Samuel 13:1-2](/2_samuel/13-1 "2 Samuel 13:1-2 - Amnon's Love for Tamar"). Amnon, consumed by his desire, is described as having "vexed himself sick." It is precisely into this vulnerable state that Jonadab, with his "subtil" nature, enters the narrative. His introduction here is not incidental; he is presented as the architect of the deceitful plan that will enable Amnon's sin, directly leading to Tamar's rape, Absalom's retaliatory murder of Amnon in [2 Samuel 13:28-29](/2_samuel/13-28 "2 Samuel 13:28-29 - Absalom Kills Amnon"), and ultimately Absalom's rebellion against David, fulfilling the prophecy of trouble within David's own house found in [2 Samuel 12:10-11](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-11 - Nathan's Prophecy of Trouble in David's House").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, familial relationships were paramount, and the royal court was a complex web of loyalties and rivalries. Jonadab is identified as "the son of Shimeah David's brother," making him David's nephew and Amnon's cousin. This close familial tie underscores the internal nature of the threat to David's household; the destructive counsel comes from within the family circle, not an external enemy. The concept of a "friend" (Hebrew: _rea'_) often implied a trusted confidant or advisor, making Jonadab's betrayal of that trust even more poignant. Royal sons, like Amnon, often had close companions who could wield significant influence, for good or ill, over their decisions and actions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Book of 2 Samuel"):
* **The Influence of Counsel:** Jonadab's role highlights the profound impact that companions and their advice can have. His "subtil" counsel is destructive, leading Amnon down a path of heinous sin, demonstrating how easily vulnerable individuals can be swayed by ungodly advice. This contrasts sharply with the wisdom literature's emphasis on seeking and heeding godly counsel, as seen in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge").
* **Cunning and Deception:** The description of Jonadab as "subtil" immediately establishes a theme of manipulation and guile. This characteristic is central to his role as he devises a scheme that exploits familial trust and vulnerability, demonstrating how evil can operate through clever, insidious means rather than overt aggression.
* **Familial Dysfunction and the Consequences of Sin:** Jonadab's familial connection deepens the tragedy, illustrating how internal family dynamics can be exploited for evil purposes. This episode is a stark example of the moral decay within David's own house, often understood as a direct fulfillment of the divine judgment pronounced by Nathan following David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan Confronts David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **friend (Hebrew, _rea'_):** This term denotes more than a casual acquaintance; it signifies a close associate, a companion, or even a confidant. The use of _rea'_ here emphasizes the intimacy of the relationship between Amnon and Jonadab. This makes Jonadab's subsequent actions a profound betrayal of trust, as he uses his position not to help Amnon righteously, but to facilitate his sinful desires.
* **subtil (Hebrew, _chakham'_):** While _chakham_ often translates as "wise," "skillful," or "prudent" and can carry a positive connotation (e.g., the wisdom of Solomon in [1 Kings 4:29](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29 - God Gave Solomon Wisdom")), in this context, it takes on a decidedly negative meaning. It implies shrewdness, cunning, guile, or even craftiness. It describes a worldly wisdom used for manipulative, deceptive, and ultimately malicious purposes, rather than for righteousness or the glory of God. This is the same word used to describe the serpent in [Genesis 3:1](/genesis/3-1 "Genesis 3:1 - The Serpent's Cunning"), highlighting its association with deceit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Amnon had a friend,"**: This clause immediately establishes the relationship that will prove to be Amnon's undoing. It highlights Amnon's vulnerability and his reliance on this particular individual for counsel, setting the stage for the destructive advice to follow.
* **"whose name [was] Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother:"**: This identifies Jonadab specifically and, crucially, establishes his close familial connection to the royal household. He is not an outsider but an insider, a cousin to Amnon and nephew to King David. This proximity makes his influence more potent and his counsel more insidious, as it comes from within the trusted circle of family.
* **"and Jonadab [was] a very subtil man."**: This final clause is the critical characterization. It provides the key insight into Jonadab's nature, revealing him as shrewd, cunning, and manipulative. This descriptor serves as a powerful foreshadowing, explaining how he will be able to devise and execute the deceptive plan that leads to Amnon's heinous act and the ensuing tragedy for David's family.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Characterization** is immediately evident, as Jonadab is directly described as "a very subtil man," providing the reader with a crucial insight into his nature before he even speaks. This direct characterization serves as powerful **foreshadowing**, signaling to the reader that Jonadab's role in the narrative will be one of manipulation and deceit, preparing us for the tragic events that unfold due to his counsel. There is also a strong element of **irony** in the description of Jonadab as Amnon's "friend"; a true friend would lead one away from sin, not into it. Jonadab's counsel, far from being helpful, proves to be utterly destructive, highlighting the deceptive nature of his "friendship." Furthermore, the use of _chakham_ ("subtil") creates a **contrast** between true, godly wisdom and worldly cunning, underscoring the perversion of intellect for malevolent purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound theological warning about the nature of counsel and the insidious power of worldly wisdom. Jonadab's "subtlety" is a stark reminder that evil often does not present itself overtly but through clever manipulation and deceptive schemes, appealing to base desires rather than moral principles. The tragic outcome of Amnon's sin, directly enabled by Jonadab's advice, underscores the biblical principle that bad company corrupts good morals, and that the counsel we heed has profound spiritual consequences. It highlights the spiritual battle between divine wisdom, which leads to life and righteousness, and human cunning, which often leads to destruction and sin.

* [Proverbs 13:20](/proverbs/13-20 "Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the Wise")
* [Psalm 1:1](/psalm/1-1 "Psalm 1:1 - The Blessed Man")
* [Proverbs 12:26](/proverbs/12-26 "Proverbs 12:26 - The Righteous Guide")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The introduction of Jonadab and his "subtil" nature in this verse offers a critical opportunity for self-reflection regarding the company we keep and the counsel we entertain. It challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing that not all advice, even from those close to us, aligns with God's will or our true well-being. We are called to be vigilant against the "subtlety" of sin, which often disguises itself as a clever solution or a harmless indulgence, rather than overt wickedness. This narrative reminds us that our choices, particularly those influenced by others, have far-reaching consequences, not only for ourselves but for those around us and even for generations. It implores us to be friends who build up and speak truth in love, rather than those who enable sin through cunning or compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between godly counsel and "subtil" or worldly advice in my own life?**
* **What kind of "friend" am I to others, and what kind of counsel do I offer when they are in distress or facing temptation?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be susceptible to clever or manipulative suggestions that lead me away from God's path?**
* **Considering the ripple effect of Jonadab's advice, how might my own choices, influenced by others, impact my family and community?**

### FAQ
**What does "subtil" mean in this context, and why is it significant?**

Answer: In 2 Samuel 13:3, the King James Version translates the Hebrew word _chakham_ as "subtil." While _chakham_ often means "wise" or "skillful" in a positive sense, here it carries a negative connotation, implying shrewdness, cunning, or guile. It signifies a worldly wisdom that is used for manipulative and deceptive purposes rather than for righteousness. This is the same word used to describe the serpent in [Genesis 3:1](/genesis/3-1 "Genesis 3:1 - The Serpent's Cunning"), highlighting its association with deceit and malicious intent. Its significance lies in immediately revealing Jonadab's character as someone who will use his intellect not for good, but to devise a wicked scheme, setting the stage for the tragic events that follow in [2 Samuel 13](/2_samuel/13 "2 Samuel 13 - Amnon and Tamar").

**Why is Jonadab's familial connection important to the narrative?**

Answer: Jonadab is identified as "the son of Shimeah David's brother," making him David's nephew and Amnon's cousin. This familial relationship is crucial because it means the destructive counsel comes from within the most trusted circle of the royal family. It highlights the internal vulnerability of David's household, showing that the greatest threats can sometimes emerge from within, rather than from external enemies. This intimate connection makes Jonadab's betrayal of trust more poignant and underscores the tragic unraveling of David's family from within, a direct fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy that trouble would arise from David's own house in [2 Samuel 12:11](/2_samuel/12-11 "2 Samuel 12:11 - Trouble from Your Own House").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "subtil" counsel of Jonadab, leading to sin and destruction, stands in stark contrast to the perfect, life-giving counsel found in Jesus Christ. Jonadab, a "friend" who leads to ruin, foreshadows the ultimate deceiver, Satan, who is the father of lies and seeks to destroy through cunning and temptation ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, a Liar and Murderer")). In contrast, Jesus is the ultimate faithful friend, who not only offers perfect wisdom but also laid down His life for His friends ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). While Jonadab's "wisdom" was earthly, sensual, and demonic, leading to death, Christ is the very [wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Whom Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). He offers counsel that leads to life, truth, and reconciliation. Believers are called to walk not in the "subtlety" of the world, but in the wisdom that comes from above, which is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" ([James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - The Wisdom from Above")). In Christ, the destructive power of cunning and sin is defeated, and we are given the Spirit of wisdom to discern truth from deception.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 16:9

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Genesis 38:20

And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive [his] pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.

2 Samuel 14:2

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

2 Samuel 13:32

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.

Genesis 3:1

¶ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Esther 5:14

Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.