King David’s nephew from the tribe of Judah and a son of Shimeah.
About Jonadab
A nephew of King David. He was the son of Shimeah, brother of King David. Jonadab was a friend of Amnon, the son of David. He created a plan that helped Amnon force himself on his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:3–5). Later, Absalom, who was Tamar's brother, took revenge by killing Amnon.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Shimeah
- Aunts 2
- Zeruiah, Abigail (Sister of King David)
- Uncles 7
- David, Eliab (Son of Jesse), Abinadab (Son of Jesse), Nethanel (1 Chronicles 2:14), Raddai, Ozem, Elihu (1 Chronicles 27:18)
- Cousins 26
- Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah (Son of David), Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua (2 Samuel 5:14), Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg (2 Samuel 5:15), Japhia (2 Samuel 5:15), Elishama (2 Samuel 5:16), Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, Jerimoth (2 Chronicles 11:18), Abihail (Daughter of Eliab), Abishai, Joab, Asahel, Amasa
Key References
Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,
But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar.
So Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the sons of the king have arrived! It is just as your servant said.”
All Scripture References (7)
2 Samuel (5)
Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,
Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.’”
But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar.
So Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the sons of the king have arrived! It is just as your servant said.”
and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.
1 Chronicles (2)
and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.
David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king.