But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab…
II Samuel 13:3
The story of Amnon’s fall is a story of how a small weakness can crumble a mighty structure. Here sits Amnon, the son of David, the king of Israel. He was a man of great passion, potential, and position. He had life and the kingdom at his fingertips. His fortune had no bounds and his future had no limits. He was destined for a life of greatness. But all at once, his destiny was changed with one little phrase, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab.” Amnon’s great weakness was not money. It was not jealousy. Amnon’s great weakness was his association and friendship with Jonadab. There is no doubt in my mind that Amnon had many times been around Jonadab and many times heeded his advice, and that weakened his defenses when Jonadab offered his terrible advice concerning Tamar. While some do not agree with me, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jonadab, whose name means “subtle” was the downfall of Amnon and had it not been for Jonadab’s counsel, Amnon would have never raped Tamar. How things would have been different for Amnon if this sentence had never been so, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab.” I am certain that his life would have been completely different and perhaps he may have been the king of Israel instead of Solomon if he had not had the association with Jonadab that he did.
II Samuel 13:3
The story of Amnon’s fall is a story of how a small weakness can crumble a mighty structure. Here sits Amnon, the son of David, the king of Israel. He was a man of great passion, potential, and position. He had life and the kingdom at his fingertips. His fortune had no bounds and his future had no limits. He was destined for a life of greatness. But all at once, his destiny was changed with one little phrase, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab.” Amnon’s great weakness was not money. It was not jealousy. Amnon’s great weakness was his association and friendship with Jonadab. There is no doubt in my mind that Amnon had many times been around Jonadab and many times heeded his advice, and that weakened his defenses when Jonadab offered his terrible advice concerning Tamar. While some do not agree with me, I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jonadab, whose name means “subtle” was the downfall of Amnon and had it not been for Jonadab’s counsel, Amnon would have never raped Tamar. How things would have been different for Amnon if this sentence had never been so, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab.” I am certain that his life would have been completely different and perhaps he may have been the king of Israel instead of Solomon if he had not had the association with Jonadab that he did.
I wonder how many of God’s people have missed out on God’s plan and purpose in their lives because of the people that they hang around. I have seen young people ruin their lives because they would not segregate themselves from wrong influences and those who did not share the same view of Christ as they did. As it was in the case of Amnon and Jonadab, it is not the infidel or heathen that take us from the faith, it is the “subtle” ones that cause us to drift from the faith and our testimony. It is not the raging alcoholic, but the social drinker who cause us to ruin our testimony. It is not the prostitute, but the “flirtatious looker” that draw us away from our purity and fidelity. Oh dear Christian, do not let your guard down against the attacks of the devil. Remember, just as the mighty cedar falls with one swing of the axe, so will you topple with one wrong association.
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