2 Samuel 13:5

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.

2 Samuel 13:5 (KJV)

Context

This verse sits inside a painful story in King David’s family. Amnon, David’s oldest son, has become consumed by a wrongful desire for his half-sister Tamar. His friend Jonadab, David’s nephew, is a shrewd man who sees Amnon’s distress and offers a plan. In this verse, Jonadab tells Amnon to pretend to be sick and then ask David to send Tamar to prepare food for him. The plan is not innocent; it is a deliberate trap to bring Tamar alone into Amnon’s room.

Meaning

Jonadab’s words show how sin moves from a hidden desire to a concrete, deceptive plan. He instructs Amnon to “make thyself sick,” which is a lie meant to deceive the king. The request for Tamar to “dress the meat in my sight” sounds like a caring request for a sick brother, but it is a cover for evil intent. The verse reveals the mechanics of a sinful conspiracy: evil is often plotted in secret and carried out under the guise of a legitimate need. It also exposes the danger of taking advice that agrees with our sinful inclinations rather than with godly wisdom.

Biblical connections

The broader narrative in 2 Samuel 13 shows the tragic results of this deception. Amnon’s sin against Tamar leads to her ruin, Absalom’s hatred, and eventually murder and rebellion within David’s house. This story also echoes the warning in Proverbs about the destructive power of unchecked lust and the folly of following crafty counsel. The verse does not present a model to imitate but a negative example of human depravity and the consequences of failing to restrain evil desires.

Application

This passage warns us about the danger of deception and manipulation in our own relationships. Jonadab used his influence to encourage sin rather than to protect his friend from it. We must be careful about the counsel we receive and give. Ask whether advice leads you toward honesty and purity or toward concealment and harm. The verse also reminds us that sin often begins in the heart and then finds a plan to act. We should guard our hearts and seek accountability before a desire grows into a destructive scheme.

Reflection

Consider how easily we can justify wrong actions by dressing them in acceptable words. Amnon’s request sounded reasonable, but his heart was set on evil. God sees beyond outward appearances and knows the true intent of every plan. This verse calls us to live with integrity, treating others with dignity and refusing to use deception to get what we want. It also shows the importance of wise, godly friends who will steer us away from sin rather than toward it.