2 Samuel 13:5
Amharic (Tigrigna: Contemporary Tigrinya Bible 2024)
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Jonadab gives Amnon advice to pretend he is sick to see his half-sister Tamar. He suggests that Amnon should ask his father to let Tamar come and prepare food for him. This sets up a plan for Amnon to be alone with Tamar.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who wants to talk to someone but can't just ask them. So your friend comes up with a plan to pretend they're sick so they can have the person they want to talk to come to their room. That's what Jonadab is doing here, but it's not a nice plan.
Historical Background
This verse is from the second book of Samuel, written by various authors, likely including Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer, around the 9th century BCE. It was written for the Israelites to document the history of their kings and the consequences of their actions.
Living It Out Today
In today's world, we can see this as a cautionary tale about the dangers of manipulation and the importance of clear communication. Instead of using deceit, we should address our desires and needs honestly and respectfully.