Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let 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 has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.” But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him. Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
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2 Samuel 13:32-35 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let 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 has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.” But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him. Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.” As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly. But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. King David longed to go out to Absalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
Parallel Translations
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Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let 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 has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”
But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.
Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
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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.
Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
Show all 3 translations
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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.
Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.'
But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people in a roundabout way by the hill-side.
And Jonadab said unto the king: 'Behold, the king's sons are come; as thy servant said, so it is.'
Cross-references (10)
- 2 Samuel 19:19 (v33) He said to the king, “Don’t let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the…
- Genesis 4:8-14 (v34) Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed…
- Genesis 27:41 (v32) Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are…
- 1 Samuel 16:9 (v32) Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
- 2 Samuel 13:3 (v32) But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
Show all 10 cross-references
- 2 Samuel 13:37-38 (v34) But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom fled, and went to…
- Psalms 7:14 (v32) Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought out falsehood.
- Proverbs 24:11-12 (v32) Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! If you say, “Behold, we didn’t…
- Proverbs 28:17 (v34) A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
- Amos 5:19 (v34) As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; Or he went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a snake bit him.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv32–35 Hebrew, because it was put in Absalom’s mouth.
Hebrew, because it was put in Absalom’s mouth.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv32–35 2Sa 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s…
2Sa 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.
Ver. 32. And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah.] This cunning pated man, seeking somewhat to mitigate his uncle David’s extreme sorrow, which he had caused by his wicked counsel to Amnon, guesseth at the truth, and hitteth upon the right: whereunto, perhaps, he might be at some time by Absalom made privy. He had advised Amnon how to compass his unlawful lust: and now that he was slain, he could tell what was become of him: the devil can do the like. Great pity it was that David did no further sift him hereupon, to find out the bottom of the business, and to give him his due payment.
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For by the appointment of Absalom.] Heb., By the mouth, i.e., by the purpose of his exulcerate heart, breaking forth haply some time at his lips.
From the day that he forced his sister Tamar.] So the Lacedemonian commonwealth was utterly overturned at Leuctra, for a rape there committed on the two daughters of Scedasus. So when a certain monk had ravished the sister of Zisca, that noble Bohemian, he took up arms against the monks, and those that favoured them; casting to the ground three hundred monasteries, and doing many great exploits against the Papists in Bohemia and Germany. But what an impenitent and impudent man was this Jonadab, that he could speak of the rape of Tamar, which he had contrived, together with the sad consequents, without any remorse or regret! And what sots are some Rabbis for saying that this Jonadab here was Nathan the prophet, who knew by the Spirit what was done at Baalhazor!
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv32, 34 Jonadab was a man of great craft and subtlety,…
Jonadab was a man of great craft and subtlety, and one that had exact knowledge of Amnon’s fact, and of Absalom’s temper.
By the appointment, or, by the command; Heb. mouth, put for command, Num 3:16. From the day; it was resolved from that time in his breast; but the word of command was not then given to others, for that would probably have hindered his design. But all this he seems to have spoken from a probable conjecture, rather than of certain knowledge, as appears by the sequel.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv32–35 And Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother,.... The…
And Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother,.... The same that advised Amnon to feign himself sick, to get Tamar sent to him, that he might enjoy her, Sa2 13:3,
answered and said; said in answer to the report brought to the king, which threw him into such an agony:
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let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; he did not believe it himself, and would not have the king entertain such a thought, and distress himself with it:
for Amnon only is dead; he is very positive, and speaks with great assurance; it looks as if he was in the secret, and knew of the plot against Amnon's life; and, if so, he must be a very wicked man, first to form a scheme whereby Amnon might come at Tamar to ravish her, and then be accessory to the murder of him, as he must, if he knew of the design against his life, and did not acquaint him and the king of it; and this seems to be confirmed by what follows:
for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined, from the day that he forced his sister Tamar; that is, the slaying of Amnon; the meaning is, either that Absalom had given orders to his servants to slay him, whenever they had an opportunity; or it was "in the mouth of Absalom" (p), as it may be rendered; he used to declare it to his intimate friends, that it was the purpose and resolution of his heart to kill Amnon some time or another; and this he had taken up from the time of his sister Tamar's being forced, and because of that, of which Jonadab had intelligence by some means or another; and who speaks of this rape without any seeming emotion, as if he had no concern at all in it.
(p) "in ore Absalom", V. L. Vatablus.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v32 Verse 32. And Jonadab - said - Amnon only…
Verse 32. And Jonadab - said - Amnon only is dead] This was a very bad man, and here speaks coolly of a most bloody tragedy, which himself had contrived.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v34 2Sa 13:34. Absalom fled — He was now as…
2Sa 13:34. Absalom fled — He was now as much afraid of the king’s sons as they were of him; they fled from his malice, he from their justice. No part of the land of Israel could shelter him; the cities of refuge afforded no protection to a wilful murderer. Though David had let Amnon’s incest go unpunished, Absalom could not promise himself his pardon for this murder. He therefore made the best of his way to his mother’s relations, and was entertained and protected by his grandfather Talmai three years; David not demanding him, and Talmai not thinking himself obliged to send him back unless he were demanded.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv32, 34, 35 The history supplies another (compare 2Sa 13:3) instance of…
The history supplies another (compare 2Sa 13:3) instance of Jonadab’s subtlety and sagacity. He at once gave the true explanation of the catastrophe at Baal-hazor, in spite of the false rumour.
By the appointment of Absalom ... - Meaning that Absalom’s resolution to slay Amnon had been formed at the time, and only waited an opportunity to give expression to it.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv32, 34 Mouth. Chaldean [and] Syriac, "heart." Aquila, "because Absalom was…
Mouth. Chaldean [and] Syriac, "heart." Aquila, "because Absalom was in wrath against him." He had resolved upon his destruction. (Calmet) --- Perhaps he had expressed his intention to some of the court; and this Jonadab (by whose means the crime had been committed, ver. 5) had heard of it. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v32 32. Jonadab… said — That subtle busybody, who is…
32. Jonadab… said — That subtle busybody, who is posted on all the secrets of the royal family, (2Sa_13:3-5,) now coolly explains the matter as only a thing that had long been determined.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv32, 34 32. Let not my lord suppose, &c.] A practical…
32. Let not my lord suppose, &c.] A practical illustration of the sagacity for which Jonadab was famous (2Sa_13:3). He at once rejects the exaggerations of rumour, and predicts accurately what had really happened.
by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined] Lit., upon Absalom’s mouth hath it been set; that is, Absalom’s sinister looks have all along betrayed his determination to kill Amnon; or, his purpose has been obvious from his words; but the latter explanation is less likely, as Absalom seems to have dissembled his revenge in order to disarm Amnon’s suspicion.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv32, 34 (32) Jonadab.—The same subtle counsellor who had led Amnon…
(32) Jonadab.—The same subtle counsellor who had led Amnon into his sin, now at once divined how the case really stood and reassured the king.
By the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined.—Literally, upon Absalom’s mouth it hath been set, an expression which has given rise to much variety of interpretation. The Authorised Version expresses the sense accurately.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv32, 34 By the appointment; literally, for upon the mouth of…
By the appointment; literally, for upon the mouth of Absalom it was laid from the day he humbled Tamar his sister, "Mouth" is not the word we should have expected here, and the Syriac instead has "mind," and the Chaldee "heart." But the mouth often expresses determination, and Jonadab may have noticed Absalom looking at his brother with compressed lips. More probably, however, it is a colloquial phrase, with no special application to Absalom; and the Syriac gives the true sense.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv32, 34 Jonadab ... Shimeah
Jonadab ... Shimeah
See how you translated these men's names in 2 Samuel 13:03.
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Let not my master believe
"My master, do not believe"
my master
Jonadab calls David "my master" to show respect.
Amnon violated his sister
This is a polite way of saying that Amnon raped his sister. (See: Euphemism)
let not my master the king
"my master the king, do not"
take this report to heart
The phrase "take something to heart" means "to worry about it." AT: "worry about this report" (See: Idiom)
translationWords
lord
believe
die
king
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v34 13:34-39 Absalom, now a fugitive, sought refuge among his…
13:34-39 Absalom, now a fugitive, sought refuge among his mother’s family.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.