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.

And Jonadab {H3122}, the son {H1121} of Shimeah {H8093} David's {H1732} brother {H251}, answered {H6030} and said {H559}, Let not my lord {H113} suppose {H559} that they have slain {H4191} all the young men {H5288} the king's {H4428} sons {H1121}; for Amnon {H550} only is dead {H4191}: for by the appointment {H6310} of Absalom {H53} this hath been determined {H7760} from the day {H3117} that he forced {H6031} his sister {H269} Tamar {H8559}.

But then Yonadav, the son of Shim'ah, David's brother, spoke up; he said, "My lord shouldn't think they have killed all the young men, the king's sons. Only Amnon is dead; for Avshalom has meant to do this ever since the day he raped his sister Tamar.

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.

And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have killed 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.

Commentary

Context

This verse, 2 Samuel 13:32, delivers a crucial piece of information amidst the chaotic aftermath of Amnon's murder. Following the horrific rape of Tamar by her half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:14), her full brother Absalom harbored deep resentment and planned vengeance for two full years. The scene opens with reports reaching King David that Absalom has slain all the king's sons at a sheep-shearing feast. It is Jonadab, David's shrewd nephew and the same individual who counseled Amnon in his wicked scheme (2 Samuel 13:3), who steps forward to correct the misinformation. His immediate and precise knowledge reveals a chilling level of foresight and perhaps even complicity in Absalom's long-hatched plan.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Sin: The verse vividly demonstrates the severe repercussions of Amnon's heinous sin against Tamar. His act of sexual violence directly leads to his untimely and violent death, underscoring the principle that sin often carries its own destructive consequences, even if delayed.
  • Absalom's Calculated Vengeance: Absalom's actions are not a spontaneous outburst but a deeply premeditated act of revenge, meticulously planned over two years. Jonadab's statement, "by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar," highlights Absalom's ruthless determination and strategic, cold-blooded nature. This foreshadows his later rebellion against his father, David (2 Samuel 15:10).
  • Jonadab's Shrewdness and Potential Complicity: Jonadab's ability to immediately clarify the situation and his knowledge of Absalom's long-standing plan emphasize his character as a "very subtil man" (2 Samuel 13:3). He appears to be an insider, privy to the dark machinations within David's family, and his role raises questions about his moral alignment and influence.
  • Familial Strife and Breakdown: This tragic event is a stark illustration of the deep dysfunction and moral decay within David's household. The cycle of sin, injustice, and violent retribution tears the family apart, a sorrowful fulfillment of the prophetic judgment against David's house due to his own sin (2 Samuel 12:10).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined" uses the Hebrew word sim (שִׂים), which means 'to set,' 'to place,' or 'to appoint.' This emphasizes Absalom's deliberate and purposeful planning, indicating a fixed resolve rather than a sudden decision. The word "forced" (Tamar) comes from the Hebrew 'innah (עִנָּה), which signifies to humble, afflict, or violate, clearly denoting the severity and injustice of the sexual assault.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths. Firstly, unaddressed sin, especially grave injustice, has a way of festering and leading to further destructive outcomes. David's failure to justly deal with Amnon's crime (2 Samuel 13:21) created a vacuum that Absalom filled with vengeance. Secondly, the pursuit of personal revenge, even for legitimate grievances, often leads to a cycle of violence and further tragedy, ultimately consuming the avenger. Absalom's path of vengeance, while perhaps understandable from a human perspective, ultimately led to his own demise (2 Samuel 18:15). Finally, the narrative highlights the profound impact of moral choices within families and leadership; the sins of individuals can ripple through generations, bringing sorrow and discord.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 7:14

    Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

  • Genesis 27:41

    ¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

  • 2 Samuel 13:3

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

  • 1 Samuel 16:9

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

  • Proverbs 24:11

    ¶ If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

  • Proverbs 24:12

    If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?
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