2 Samuel 13:35
So Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the sons of the king have arrived! It is just as your servant said."
So Jonadab said to the king,

Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, stood near the royal household and understood its members and tensions. He had earlier devised the plan that enabled Amnon to violate Tamar, making his counsel morally compromised even when his assessment of events proved accurate. David received news of violence within the family already under the shadow of Nathan’s warning that the sword would not depart from his house.

2Sa 12:1-7 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived,…
2Sa 14:4-7 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king,…
1Ki 3:16-20 At that time two prostitutes came to the king…

“Look, the sons of the king have arrived!

The arrival of David’s sons confirmed that Absalom had not ordered a massacre but had singled out Amnon, the man who had dishonored Tamar. Their return brought visible proof of the grief and disorder that Absalom’s vengeance had unleashed. Amnon’s death fulfilled the consequences set in motion by his sin, David’s failure to administer justice, and Absalom’s determination to act in his sister’s defense.

2Ki 10:13-14 Jehu met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah…
2Ki 9:17-20 Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel…
2Sa 18:24-27 Now David was sitting between the two gates…

It is just as your servant said.”

Jonadab’s report relieved David’s fear that all his sons had been killed, yet it could not lessen the loss of Amnon or heal the division in the royal family. Human schemes, sinful desires, and delayed justice had produced sorrow exactly as God had warned David after his sin with Bathsheba. The Lord’s discipline did not cancel His covenant with David, but it exposed the devastating reach of sin within those closest to him.

2Ki 7:16-20 Then the people went out and plundered the camp……
1Ki 22:28-38 But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely,…
1Sa 10:2-7 When you leave me today, you will find two men…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jonadab
A nephew of King David, Jonadab is the son of David's brother Shimeah. He is described as a shrewd man and plays a significant role in the events surrounding the rape of Tamar and the subsequent murder of Amnon by Absalom.

2. King David
The reigning king of Israel, David is a central figure in this account. He is dealing with the aftermath of his son Amnon's actions and the resulting family turmoil.

3. The King’s Sons
Refers to the sons of King David, who are returning after the murder of Amnon by Absalom. Their arrival confirms Jonadab's earlier prediction to David.

4. Absalom
Another son of David, Absalom orchestrates the murder of his brother Amnon as revenge for the rape of their sister Tamar.

5. The Event
This verse occurs in the context of the aftermath of Amnon's murder. Jonadab reassures King David that his sons are safe, as he had predicted.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
The events in 2 Samuel 13 highlight the destructive nature of sin within a family. Amnon's sin against Tamar leads to a cycle of violence and retribution. Believers are reminded to seek God's guidance to break cycles of sin and seek reconciliation.

The Role of Counsel
Jonadab's role as a counselor to David shows the impact of advice, whether good or bad. Christians are encouraged to seek godly counsel and discernment in their relationships and decisions.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Chaos
Despite the chaos in David's family, God's sovereign plan continues. Believers can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire.

The Importance of Justice and Mercy
The account challenges believers to consider the balance of justice and mercy. While Absalom seeks justice for Tamar, his methods are flawed. Christians are called to pursue justice in a way that honors God and reflects His mercy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jonadab's character and actions influence the events in 2 Samuel 13, and what can we learn about the impact of our counsel to others?

2. In what ways does the account of David's family in 2 Samuel 13 reflect the consequences of unchecked sin, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives?

3. How does the theme of sibling rivalry in 2 Samuel 13 compare to other biblical accounts of sibling conflict, and what lessons can we draw from these comparisons?

4. What does 2 Samuel 13 teach us about the importance of seeking justice in a manner that aligns with God's character, and how can we apply this in our daily interactions?

5. How can we find comfort in God's sovereignty when faced with family or personal turmoil, as seen in the life of David and his sons?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 37
The account of Joseph and his brothers provides a parallel of sibling rivalry and deception, similar to the events in David's family.

Proverbs 12:5
This verse speaks to the intentions of the righteous versus the wicked, highlighting Jonadab's shrewdness and the moral complexities in David's court.

Psalm 55:12-14
David's lament over betrayal by a close friend can be seen as reflective of the betrayal and family strife he experiences in 2 Samuel 13.
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
Behold, Jonadab, Jon'adab, King's, Servant, Servant's, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 13:23-36

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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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