Friends are found throughout the Bible. Job had friends, but they were miserable companions. Abraham was called God’s friend. Jonathan and David were the best of friends (1 Sam 18:1). The Bible makes many references to friends. How to make them, how to keep them and even how to offend them (Pro. 17:17; 18:24; 27:9,14,19).
“But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man” (2 Sam. 13:3). Many have stained their souls and come to ruin because they had the wrong kind of friend. Written on Amnon’s tombstone was the epitaph “Amnon had a friend.” Just replace the name Amnon with that of another person you know who had a friend that caused them great trouble.
Amnon was vexed by his affection with his half-sister, Tamar. The word “vexed” in the Hebrew means to be bound up, cramped, to bring trouble, oppression and distressed. This does not sound like love. Love is not troubling, or oppressive. Amnon was not in love with Tamar. No, he was in lust with Tamar. Love has slain its thousands, but lust has slain its tens of thousands.
Amnon’s friend gave him the worst of advice. Scripture says that it seemed impossible for Amnon to do anything to Tamar (2 Sam. 13:2). What little bit of conscience Amnon had left was about to be drowned out by Jonadab’s advice. Jonadab said, “You’re the king’s son. Do what you want! Pretend that you’re sick, have Tamar come to your room to care for you, then have your way with her.” That’s exactly what Amnon did. The next several chapters of Second Samuel record the terrible events that take place all because Amnon listened to his friend, instead of his conscience.
The old saying goes “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” If you have the type of friends who only get you into trouble, then it might do you some good to rid yourself of those people, because they aren’t your friends, but your foes.
Amnon needed a friend like Jesus. He is a Friend who will not tempt you to do things contrary to the will of God. He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Pro. 18:24). He is the best Friend any man or woman could have. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. He always listens when you talk. Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus. That’s the type of friend Amnon needed, and the type of friend you and I need.