2 Samuel 13:3

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Jonadab, the son of Shimeah.—In 1Samuel 16:9, Shimeah is called Shammah, and appears there as the third son of Jesse. He had another son, Jonathan, mentioned in 2Samuel 21:21, as the conqueror of one of the giants. The word subtil is used simply to indicate sagacity and wisdom, whether rightly or wrongly exercised.

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 13:3. Amnon had a friend — Say rather an enemy; for surely he proved himself to be such in a high degree, by the evil counsel he gave, issuing in Amnon’s utter ruin of soul, as is too probable, as well as body. “He plainly perceived that Amnon’s disease was some strong desire ungratified; and insinuated to him that he who was the king’s son might give a loose to his desires, and despise the restraint of ordinary men! How vile was this advice! and how lamentable it is that the heirs of royalty, whose virtue is of much more consequence than that of meaner men, should yet be under more temptation to taint it from the poison of infectious flatterers.” — Delaney.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:1-20 From henceforward David was followed with one trouble after another. Adultery and murder were David's sins, the like sins among his children were the beginnings of his punishment: he was too indulgent to his children. Thus David might trace the sins of his children to his own misconduct, which must have made the anguish of the chastisement worse. Let no one ever expect good treatment from those who are capable of attempting their seduction; but it is better to suffer the greatest wrong than to commit the least sin.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Shimeah - Called Shamma (marginal reference), was Jesse's third son.

Subtil - literally, wise. The word is generally used in a good sense, but here, and in Job 5:13, it means crafty.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. Jonadab, the son of Shimeah—or Shammah (1Sa 16:9). By the counsel and contrivance of this scheming cousin a plan was devised for obtaining an unrestricted interview with the object of his attachment.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Shimeah, called also Shammah, 1 Samuel 16:9.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But Amnon had a friend,.... Though in the issue his friendship proved his ruin:

whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother; so that they were own cousins, the same with Shammah, 1 Samuel 16:9,

and Jonadab was a very subtle man; a very penetrating man into the dispositions of men, and could judge by their countenances what they were, and the affections of their minds, and had a talent in forming schemes; he was wise to do evil and was wickedly cunning.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3. a friend] This narrative is a strong warning against the danger of evil companions. The clever but unprincipled friend is more likely to provide means for gratifying evil passions than help in resisting them.

Jonadab, the son of Shimeah] Shimeah is called Shammah in 1 Samuel 16:9. He had another son Jonathan (ch. 2 Samuel 21:21).

subtil] The word means simply wise, and pronounces no judgment on the way in which Jonadab misused his sagacity. Cp. Job 5:13; Jeremiah 4:22.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Jonadab, the son of Shimeah. He is called Shammah in 1 Samuel 16:9, and is there described as Jesse's third son. A brother of Jonadab, named Jonathan, is mentioned in 2 Samuel 21:21 as a valiant soldier who slew one of the Philistine giants. Subtil is not used in a bad sense, but means clever, ready in devising means. 2 Samuel 13:3

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Amnon's miserable appearance was observed by his cousin Jonadab, a very crafty man, who asked him what was the reason, and then gave him advice as to the way in which he might succeed in gratifying his desires. Shimeah is called Shammah in 1 Samuel 16:9.