2 Samuel 13:5

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.

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.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.’”
KJV
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.
WEB
Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”
ASV
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.
DARBY
And Jonadab said to him, Lay thee down on thy bed and feign thyself sick; and when thy father comes to see thee, say to him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me food, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.
BLB
And Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let Tamar my sister come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, so that I may see and eat it from her hand.’”
ÅB
Jonadab sa til ham: Legg deg i sengen og gjør deg syk, og når da din far kommer for å se til deg, så si til ham: La min søster Tamar komme og gi meg noe å spise og lage til maten for mine øyne, så jeg ser på det og får maten av hennes hånd!
OTB
Jonadab sa da til ham: "Legg deg ned på sengen din og lat som du er syk, og når din far kommer for å se deg, si til ham: 'Vær så snill, la min søster Tamar komme og gi meg noe mat å spise, og la henne forberede maten i mitt syn, så jeg kan se det og spise fra hennes hånd.'"
B1930
Jonadab sa til ham: Legg dig i sengen og gjør dig syk, og når da din far kommer for å se til dig, så si til ham: La min søster Tamar komme og gi mig noget å ete og lage til maten for mine øine, så jeg ser på det og får maten av hennes hånd!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Mark 6:24–25

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

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 19:27

    Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 50:18–19

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

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 16:21–17:4

    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.

    Read in context