Bible Dictionary
Jehonadab
Jehonadab was the name of two men: a shrewd relative of David who advised Amnon, and the son of Rechab who joined Jehu and became regarded as the founder of the Rechabites’ disciplined way of life.
Definition
Jehonadab, also called Jonadab, means “whom Jehovah impels” or may mean “Yahweh is noble.” One Jehonadab was David’s nephew, a shrewd adviser to Amnon. Another was the son of Rechab and an ally of Jehu, associated with the Rechabites’ abstention from wine and nomadic ordinances.
Biblical Usage
The first Jehonadab advised Amnon in the matter of Tamar and later assured David that only Amnon had been killed. The second joined Jehu in Samaria and is called the father of the Rechabites.
Historical Background
The Rechabites derived their rules for nomadic life and abstention from wine from Jehonadab son of Rechab. He accompanied Jehu in the destruction of Baal worship.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Jehovah is liberal; or, whom Jehovah impels. (1.) A son of Shimeah, and nephew of David. It was he who gave the fatal wicked advice to Amnon, the heir to the throne (2 Sam. 13:3-6). He was very “subtil,” but unprincipled. (2.) A son of Rechab, the founder of a tribe who bound themselves by a vow to abstain from wine (Jer. 35:6-19). There were different settlements of Rechabites (Judg. 1:16; 4:11; 1 Chr. 2:55). (See RECHABITE.) His interview and alliance with Jehu are mentioned in 2 Kings 10:15-23. He went with Jehu in his chariot to Samaria.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(whom Jehovah impels) and Jon’adab, the son of Rechab, founder of the Rechabites, an Arab chief. When Jehu was advancing, after the slaughter of Betheked, on the city of Samaria, he was suddenly met by Jehonadab, who joined with him in “slaying all that remained unto Ahab.” (2 Kings 10:15-17)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>je-hon'-a-dab (yehonadhabh, either "Yahweh is noble" or "liberal," or "Yahweh has impelled") = Jonadab (yonadhabh, same meaning):</p><p>(1) Jehonadab in the Hebrew of 2Sa 13:5; but Jonadab in English Versions of the Bible, and in Hebrew and English Versions of the Bible of 13:3,12,35; son of Shimeah, King David's brother. He was friendly with Amnon his cousin, and is said to be "a very shrewd (the Revised Version (British and American) "subtle") man." He planned to get Tamar to wait upon Amnon. Two years after, when Absalom had murdered Amnon, and David had heard that all the king's sons were assassinated, Jehonadab assured him that only Amnon was killed; and his reassuring tone is justified (2Sa 13:35); possibly he knew of Absalom's intentions. Septuagint, Lucian, has "Jonathan" in 2Sa 13:3 ff; and in 2Sa 21:21 parallel 1Ch 20:7, there is mentioned a son of Shimei (= "Shimca," 1Ch 2:7 = "Shammah," 1Sa 16:9), whose name is Jonathan.</p><p>See JONATHAN, (4).</p><p>(2) Jehonadab in 2Ki 10:15,23; in Hebrew of Jer 35:8,14,16,18 = Jonadab in Jer 35:6,10,19, and English Versions of the Bible of 35:8,14,16,18, "son" of Rechab, of the Kenite clan (1Ch 2:55). Jehonadab is described in 2Ki 10 as an ally of Jehu in the olition of Baal-worship in Samaria. Jehu met him after slaying the son of Ahab (10:15); the second part of the verse should probably be translated "And he greeted him and said to him, Is thy heart upright (with me) as my heart is with thee? And Jehonadab answered, Yes. Then spake Jehu (so the Septuagint), If so, give me thy hand. In Jer 35 (where English Versions of the Bible has Jonadab throughout), he is called the "father" of the Rechabites, who derived from him their ordinances for their nomadic life and abstention from wine.</p><p>See RECHAB, RECHABITES.</p><p>David Francis Roberts</p>