2 Samuel 13:33
So now, my lord the king, do not take to heart the report that all the sons of the king are dead. Only Amnon is dead."
So now, my lord the king,

Jonadab addresses David with the honor due to Israel’s anointed king, even while bringing news from within the royal household. The formality of his words contrasts with the disorder and violence consuming David’s family.

1Sa 24:8 After that, David got up, went out of the cave,…
1Sa 26:17 Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked,…
2Sa 18:31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king…

do not take to heart the report

David had received the devastating report that Absalom had killed all his brothers, and he responded with grief as though his entire household had been destroyed. Jonadab urges him not to surrender to the first report before its truth is established.

2Ki 19:6 who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD…
Isa 37:6 who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD…
Jhn 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God;…

that all the sons of the king are dead.

The false report revealed how quickly Absalom’s planned attack had produced fear and confusion. The apparent loss of every royal son would have meant both profound personal sorrow for David and a crisis for the future of his house.

1Sa 4:17 The messenger answered, “Israel has fled…
1Sa 31:6 So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer…
1Ch 10:6 So Saul died together with his three sons and all his house.

Only Amnon is dead.”

Amnon alone had been killed at Absalom’s command, fulfilling the revenge Absalom had harbored since Amnon violated Tamar. Amnon’s death brought judgment upon grievous sin, yet Absalom’s murder opened a deeper wound in David’s family and began the course of rebellion that would threaten the kingdom.

2Sa 14:6-7 And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting…
2Sa 18:32-33 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom…
Gen 37:33-35 His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe!”…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel, father of Amnon and Absalom. He is a central figure in this account, dealing with the consequences of his family's sins and turmoil.

2. Amnon
The eldest son of David, who was killed by his brother Absalom as retribution for the rape of their sister Tamar.

3. Absalom
Another son of David, who orchestrated the murder of Amnon to avenge his sister Tamar's dishonor.

4. Tamar
The daughter of David, who was raped by her half-brother Amnon, setting off a chain of tragic events within David's family.

5. Jonadab
The son of Shimeah, David's brother, who informs David that only Amnon is dead, not all his sons, and who had previously advised Amnon on how to carry out his sinful desire.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin often has far-reaching and devastating consequences, not only for the sinner but also for those around them. David's past sins set a precedent for his children.

The Importance of Justice and Mercy
Absalom's actions, though motivated by a desire for justice, were not aligned with God's ways. True justice must be tempered with mercy and follow God's law.

The Role of Wise Counsel
Jonadab's earlier advice to Amnon led to sin and destruction. It is crucial to seek godly counsel and wisdom in our decisions.

The Impact of Family Dynamics
The dysfunction in David's family highlights the importance of addressing issues openly and biblically within the family unit.

Trusting God's Sovereignty
Even in the midst of chaos and tragedy, God remains sovereign. Believers are called to trust in His ultimate plan and justice.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Amnon and Absalom reflect the principle of sowing and reaping as described in Galatians 6:7-8?

2. In what ways can we ensure that the counsel we receive and give aligns with biblical principles, as opposed to Jonadab's advice to Amnon?

3. How can we apply the lessons of justice and mercy from this passage to conflicts within our own families or communities?

4. What steps can we take to address and heal family dysfunctions in a way that honors God, as seen in the consequences of David's family dynamics?

5. How can we find comfort and assurance in God's sovereignty when facing the consequences of sin, either our own or others', as demonstrated in this account?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 4
The account of Cain and Abel, which parallels the theme of sibling rivalry and murder.

2 Samuel 12
Nathan's prophecy to David about the sword never departing from his house, which is fulfilled in these events.

Proverbs 6:16-19
Lists things the Lord hates, including shedding innocent blood and devising wicked schemes, which are evident in this account.

Galatians 6:7-8
The principle of sowing and reaping, as David's past sins seem to have repercussions in his family.
The Crime of AmnonB. Dale 2 Samuel 13:1-33
ChastisementR. E. Faulkner.2 Samuel 13:30-37
Parental SorrowsB. Dale 2 Samuel 13:30-39
People
Absalom, Ammihud, Amnon, David, Jonadab, Shimeah, Talmai, Tamar
Places
Baal-hazor, Geshur, Jerusalem
Topics
Alone, Amnon, Dead, Died, Heart, Idea, King's, Lay, Namely, Report, Saying, Sons, Suppose
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 13:1-33

     5661   brothers

2 Samuel 13:23-36

     5737   sisters

Library
Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
Jacques Saurin, the famous French Protestant preacher of the seventeenth century, was born at Nismes in 1677. He studied at Geneva and was appointed to the Walloon Church in London in 1701. The scene of his great life work was, however, the Hague, where he settled in 1705. He has been compared with Bossuet, tho he never attained the graceful style and subtilty which characterize the "Eagle of Meaux." The story is told of the famous scholar Le Clerc that he long refused to hear Saurin preach, on the
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
1 There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? Drunkards, who drown reason and stupefy conscience. These declare their sin as Sodom. They are children indeed, but cursed children' (2 Peter 2:14). 2 Exhortation, which consists of two branches. (i) Let
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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