Jehon´adab [JONADAB]
Jehon’adab. (whom Jehovah impels). Jehon’adab and Jon’adab, the son of Rechab, founder of the Rechabites, an Arab chief. When Jehu was advancing, after the slaughter of Betheked, on the city of Samaria, he was suddenly met by Jehonadab, who joined with him in "slaying all that remained unto Ahab." 2Ki 10:15-17.
("Jehovah makes freely willing"): JEHONADAB or JONADAB. 2Ki 10:15; 2Ki 10:23; Jer 35:8; Jer 35:14; Jer 35:16; Jer 35:18; 1Ch 2:55; "the (four) families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez ... the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab" ("the rider".)
Jehonadab, the tribe father of the Rechabites, enjoined the rule of the clan on his children the more strictly because these were brought into close contact with the settled community, which would tempt them to neglect it, namely, to dwell in tents and not build houses, not to sow seed or plant vineyards. This rule they observed with such filial obedience as to secure the promise "that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," fifth commandment. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 35) argues, a fortiori, if earthly sons so honour their father how much more ought Judah, to whom God hath commanded "Return ye now every man from his evil way" by His prophets, "rising early and speaking," hearken to the heavenly Father; yet Judah has not done so. Both therefore shall fare accordingly: Judah shall suffer all the evil pronounced against her; "Jehonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before Jehovah for ever." Compare Mal 1:6.
Jehonadab by his strict asceticism was held in high repute in Israel, as well as in his own tribe; Jehu desired his countenance, that so he might without any opposition carry out the slaughter of the Baal worshippers. Jehu "blessed" Jehonadab (margin 2Ki 10:15) on meeting him, and asked, Is thy heart right (true) as my heart is with thy heart? Jehonadab gave his hand in token of pledged fellowship (Ezr 10:19). Then Jehu took him up to him in his chariot and imparted his secret plan. Jehonadab’s followers by his strict rule on the one hand avoided possible collision with the settled Israelites among whom they were; and Diodorus Siculus (19:94) gives a like picture of the Nabathaean Arabs, "it is a law with them neither to sow grain, nor to plant fruit-bearing plants, nor to use wine, nor to provide a house."
On the other hand, as a half religious sect, indirectly originating from Elijah’s and Elisha’s reforming efforts, and copying the Nazarite rule in part (compare Amo 2:11), they maintained the true religion as far as they knew it by avoiding needless association with the degenerate people around. Such a sincere zealot as Jehonadab was just the ally whom the fiery self seeking
Jehonadab (je-hŏn’a-dăb), or Jonadab, whom Jehovah incites. The son of Rechab, the founder of the Rechabites, which see. He joined Jehu in the slaughter of the Baalites. 2Ki 10:15-23.
[Jehona’dab] See JONADAB.
JEHONADAB or JONADAB.—1. Son of Shimeah, David’s brother, and the friend of Amnon the son of David. He is described as ‘a very subtil man.’ He aided Amnon to carry out his intrigue against his half-sister Tamar (2Sa 13:3 ff.), and after the assassination of Amnon was the first to grasp the true state of affairs, and to allay the king’s distress by his prompt report of the safety of the royal princes (2Sa 13:30 ff.). 2. Son of Rechab, of the clan of the Kenites (1Ch 2:55), and formulator of the rules imposed upon descendants, the Rechabites (Jer 35:1-19; see Rechabites). Jehonadab was thoroughly in sympathy with the measures adopted by Jehu for the vindication of the religion of J″
(1) Jehonadab in the Hebrew of 2Sa 13:5; but Jonadab in English Versions of the Bible, and in Hebrew and English Versions of the Bible of 2Sa 13:3, 2Sa 13:12, 2Sa 13:35; son of Shimeah, King David’s brother. He was friendly with Amnon his cousin, and is said to be “a very shrewd (the Revised Version (British and American) “subtle”) man.” He planned to get Tamar to wait upon Amnon. Two years after, when Absalom had murdered Amnon, and David had heard that all the king’s sons were assassinated, Jehonadab assured him that only Amnon was killed; and his reassuring tone is justified (2Sa 13:35); possibly he knew of Absalom’s intentions. Septuagint, Lucian, has “Jonathan” in 2Sa 13:3; and in 2Sa 21:21 parallel 1Ch 20:7, there is mentioned a son of Shimei (= “Shimca,” 1Ch 2:7 = “Shammah,” 1Sa 16:9), whose name is Jonathan. See JONATHAN, (4).
(2) Jehonadab in 2Ki 10:15, 2Ki 10:23; in Hebrew of Jer 35:8, Jer 35:14, Jer 35:16, Jer 35:18 = Jonadab in Jer 35:6, Jer 35:10, Jer 35:19, and English Versions of the Bible of Jer 35:8, Jer 35:14, Jer 35:16, Jer 35:18, “son” of Rechab, of the Kenite clan (1Ch 2:55). Jehonadab is described in 2 Ki 10 as an ally of Jehu in the olition of Baal-worship in Samaria. Jehu met him after slaying the son of Ahab (2Ki 10:15); the second part of the verse should probably be translated ’And he greeted him and said to him, Is thy heart upright (with me) as my heart is with thee? And Jehonadab answered, Yes. Then spake Jehu (so the Septuagint), If so, give me thy hand.’ In Jer 35 (where English Versions of the Bible has Jonadab throughout), he is called the “father” of the Rechabites, who derived from him their ordinances for their nomadic life and abstention from wine. See RECHAB; RECHABITES.