Atomic Bible

Nephew of David, friend and advisor to Amnon

Jonadab

Named in 7 verses across 2 books, first in 2 Samuel 13:3.

יוֹנָדָבJonadab

יְהוֹנָדָבJonadab

יְהוֹנָתָןJonathan

Also called Jonathan.

The name means “who gives liberally.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Father
Shimeah
People
Tribe of Judah

About Jonadab Written by AI

Jonadab, also referred to as Jonathan, was the son of Shimeah, King David's brother, making him David's nephew (2 Samuel 13:3; 21.21; 1 Chronicles 20:7). He is primarily mentioned in the context of the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar, David's children. Jonadab is described as a very shrewd man and a close friend of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:3). When Amnon became infatuated with his half-sister Tamar and was distressed about how to approach her, Jonadab devised a plan for Amnon to be alone with Tamar (2 Samuel 13:5). This plan ultimately led to Amnon raping Tamar, an act that had severe consequences for the royal family (2 Samuel 13:11 to 14). After Amnon's actions were discovered, Jonadab was the one who informed David that only Amnon had been killed by Absalom, Tamar's full brother, contrary to the initial report that all of David's sons had been slain (2 Samuel 13:32 to 33). This suggests that Jonadab was well-informed about the events and dynamics within the royal family. In 1 Chronicles 27:32, Jonadab is mentioned as King David's counselor, described as a wise man and a scribe. This indicates that he held a position of influence and trust within the royal court, despite his role in the events surrounding Amnon and Tamar. The story of Jonadab highlights the complex relationships and conflicts within David's family and the far-reaching consequences of sin and poor judgment. It also demonstrates the importance of wise counsel and the potential for even trusted advisors to contribute to negative outcomes when their wisdom is misused.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Jonadab, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

=Jehon’adab. (1.) The son of Rechab, and founder of the Rechabites (q.v.), 2 Kings 10:15; Jer. 35:6, 10.

(2.) The son of Shimeah, David’s brother (2 Sam. 13:3). He was “a very subtil man.”

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. 2 Samuel 13:3

    Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,

  2. 2 Samuel 13:5

    Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘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.’”

  3. 2 Samuel 13:32

    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.

  4. 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.”

  5. 2 Samuel 21:21

    and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.

  6. 1 Chronicles 20:7

    and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.

  7. 1 Chronicles 27:32

    David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.