King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 13:5 Mean?

2 Samuel 13:5 in the King James Version says “And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say ...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 13:5 · King James Version


Context

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. lean: Heb. thin from day: Heb. morning by morning

5

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.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

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?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣1 of 27

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙2 of 27
H0
יְה֣וֹנָדָ֔ב3 of 27

“And Jonadab”

H3082

jehonadab, the name of an israelite and of an arab

שְׁכַ֥ב4 of 27

“unto him Lay thee down”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עַל5 of 27
H5921

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

מִשְׁכָּֽבְךָ֖6 of 27

“on thy bed”

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

וְהִתְחָ֑ל7 of 27

“and make thyself sick”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

תָּ֣בֹא8 of 27

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אָבִ֣יךָ9 of 27

“and when thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶרְאֶ֔ה10 of 27

“that I may see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣11 of 27

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֡יו12 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תָּ֣בֹא13 of 27

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נָא֩14 of 27
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

תָמָ֨ר15 of 27

“Tamar”

H8559

tamar, the name of three women and a place

אֲחוֹתִ֜י16 of 27

“unto him I pray thee let my sister”

H269

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

וְתַבְרֵ֣נִי17 of 27

“and give”

H1262

to select; to feed; to render clear

לֶ֗חֶם18 of 27

“me meat”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְעָֽשְׂתָ֤ה19 of 27

“and dress”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְעֵינַי֙20 of 27

“in my sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֶת21 of 27
H853

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

הַבִּרְיָ֔ה22 of 27

“the meat”

H1279

food

לְמַ֙עַן֙23 of 27
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

אֲשֶׁ֣ר24 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶרְאֶ֔ה25 of 27

“that I may see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְאָֽכַלְתִּ֖י26 of 27

“it and eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִיָּדָֽהּ׃27 of 27

“it at her hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 13:5 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 13:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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