Bible Figure
Jonadab
character in 2 Samuel; son of Shimeah
Jonadab son of Shimeah was David's nephew and Amnon's shrewd adviser whose scheme enabled Amnon to isolate and violate Tamar.
Biography
Second Samuel 13 describes Jonadab as a very crafty man and a son of David's brother Shimeah. When Amnon was obsessed with his half-sister Tamar, Jonadab advised him to pretend illness and ask David to send Tamar to prepare food privately. Amnon followed the plan and raped Tamar. After Absalom later killed Amnon, Jonadab correctly told David that only Amnon had died and that Absalom had intended this since Tamar's violation.
Biblical Significance
Jonadab is a disturbing example of intelligence used without moral wisdom. His advice facilitated one of the crimes that fractured David's household and helped set in motion Absalom's rebellion.