King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 13:32 Mean?

2 Samuel 13:32 in the King James Version says “And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. appointment: Heb. mouth determined: or, settled

2 Samuel 13:32 · KJV


Context

30

And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

31

Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

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. appointment: Heb. mouth determined: or, settled

33

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.

34

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Amnon and Tamar, emphasizing unresolved sin, family breakdown. Amnon's rape of Tamar and Absalom's revenge illustrate how unresolved sin metastasizes into family-wide dysfunction. David's failure to discipline Amnon (possibly from guilt over his own sexual sin) enabled further tragedy. Hebrew terminology emphasizes Tamar's desolation and Absalom's calculated hatred. The narrative demonstrates intergenerational sin consequences and the necessity of proper justice administration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 13 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding unresolved sin, family breakdown provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of unresolved sin, family breakdown?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיַּ֡עַן1 of 31

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יֽוֹנָדָ֣ב׀2 of 31

And Jonadab

H3122

jonadab, the name of an israelite and of a rechabite

בְּנֵֽי3 of 31

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שִׁמְעָ֨ה4 of 31

of Shimeah

H8093

shimah, an israelite

אֲחִֽי5 of 31

brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

דָוִ֜ד6 of 31

David's

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יֹאמַ֤ר7 of 31

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל8 of 31
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יֹאמַ֤ר9 of 31

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנִי֙10 of 31

Let not my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אֵ֣ת11 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל12 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנְּעָרִ֤ים13 of 31

all the young men

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

בְּנֵֽי14 of 31

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙15 of 31

the king's

H4428

a king

מֵ֑ת16 of 31

only is dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כִּֽי17 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַמְנ֥וֹן18 of 31

for Amnon

H550

amnon (or aminon), a son of david

לְבַדּ֖וֹ19 of 31
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

מֵ֑ת20 of 31

only is dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כִּֽי21 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַל22 of 31
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֤י23 of 31

for by the appointment

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙24 of 31

of Absalom

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

הָֽיְתָ֣ה25 of 31
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שׂוּמָ֔ה26 of 31

this hath been determined

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מִיּוֹם֙27 of 31

from the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עַנֹּת֔וֹ28 of 31

that he forced

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אֵ֖ת29 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תָּמָ֥ר30 of 31

Tamar

H8559

tamar, the name of three women and a place

אֲחֹתֽוֹ׃31 of 31

his sister

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 13:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 13:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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