2 Samuel 13:5

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.

And Jonadab {H3082} said {H559} unto him, Lay thee down {H7901} on thy bed {H4904}, and make thyself sick {H2470}: and when thy father {H1} cometh {H935} to see {H7200} thee, say {H559} unto him, I pray thee, let my sister {H269} Tamar {H8559} come {H935}, and give {H1262} me meat {H3899}, and dress {H6213} the meat {H1279} in my sight {H5869}, that I may see {H7200} it, and eat {H398} it at her hand {H3027}.

Yonadav said to him, "Lie down on your bed, and pretend you're sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat, and have her prepare the food where I can watch. I'll eat what she serves me."

Jonadab told him, โ€œLie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, โ€˜Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.โ€™โ€

And 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.

Commentary

2 Samuel 13:5 records the cunning and malicious advice given by Jonadab, Amnon's cousin, to Amnon, who was deeply infatuated with his half-sister Tamar. This verse details the deceptive plan designed to lure Tamar into a vulnerable situation, setting the stage for a tragic and morally reprehensible act within King David's household.

Context

This verse is pivotal in the unfolding narrative of Amnon's lust for Tamar. Earlier in the chapter, we learn that Amnon, King David's son, was distressed over his love for his beautiful half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1). Jonadab, described as a "very subtil man" (2 Samuel 13:3), proposes a manipulative scheme. The plan involves Amnon feigning illness, and then, when his father King David comes to visit, Amnon is to request that Tamar come to him to prepare a specific dish in his sight, and to feed him by hand. This elaborate deception was intended to isolate Tamar from the protection of the household, paving the way for Amnon's wicked intentions.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Manipulation: The verse highlights the dark side of human cunning. Jonadab's advice is a masterclass in manipulation, exploiting King David's parental concern to achieve a sinister goal. This act of deceit underscores a recurring theme in the Bible: the dangers of dishonesty and the lengths to which individuals will go to satisfy their desires through dishonest means.
  • The Destructive Power of Lust: Amnon's unchecked lust for Tamar drives the entire plot. This passage serves as a stark warning about how unbridled desire can lead to morally corrupt actions and devastating consequences, not only for the individual but for entire families and communities. The Bible often warns against the dangers of lust, as seen in passages like James 1:14-15.
  • Vulnerability of the Innocent: Tamar, unaware of the sinister plot, is presented as an innocent victim caught in a web of deceit. Her compliance, born of familial duty and concern for her brother, is exploited for his selfish and sinful ends.
  • Consequences of Sin: This verse is the precursor to a series of tragic events that would plague David's family, including sexual assault, murder, and rebellion. It illustrates how one act of sin, born of deception and lust, can unravel the fabric of a family and lead to widespread suffering, reflecting the principle that what one sows, one will also reap.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "make thyself sick" accurately conveys the Hebrew verb แธฅฤlฤh (ื—ึธืœึธื”), which means to be sick or ill. In this context, it clearly implies feigning illness, a deliberate act of pretense. The instruction to "dress the meat in my sight" emphasizes the need for Tamar to be physically present and engaged in the preparation, further ensuring her isolation and vulnerability under the guise of nursing a sick brother.

Practical Application

This passage offers several timeless lessons:

  • Discern Bad Counsel: Be wary of advice that encourages deceit, manipulation, or actions that violate moral and ethical principles. Jonadab's counsel, though clever, was wicked. We are called to seek and follow wise and godly counsel.
  • Guard Against Unchecked Desires: The story of Amnon and Tamar serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of unbridled lust and selfish desires. It's crucial to address sinful inclinations before they lead to destructive actions.
  • Recognize the Ripple Effect of Sin: Sin is rarely isolated. The deception planned in this verse led to a cascade of tragic events in David's family. Understanding this helps us consider the broader impact of our choices on those around us.
  • Protect the Vulnerable: The narrative implicitly calls for vigilance in protecting those who may be unsuspecting or vulnerable to exploitation.

Reflection

2 Samuel 13:5 is a chilling illustration of how human depravity, fueled by lust and enabled by malicious counsel, can orchestrate elaborate schemes of deception. It highlights the vulnerability of innocence in the face of calculated evil and foreshadows the deep sorrow and division that would plague King David's house as a consequence of unaddressed sin and its far-reaching effects. The verse serves as a crucial point in understanding the moral decline within David's family following his own sin with Bathsheba, demonstrating that sin will always find you out.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 6:24

    And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

  • Mark 6:25

    And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

  • 2 Samuel 16:21

    And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that [are] with thee be strong.

  • 2 Samuel 17:4

    And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

  • Acts 23:15

    Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

  • Psalms 50:18

    When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

  • Psalms 50:19

    Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
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