Definition: And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see [it], and eat [it] at her hand.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Samuel 13:5. It's a really strange and unsettling story, and it’s packed with symbolism. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jonadab is King of Israel. He’s a powerful and somewhat paranoid king. A Woman Comes to Him: A woman named Tamar arrives at his palace seeking to see him. She's incredibly attractive, and she wants to witness something specific – she wants to observe him closely. The Request: Jonadab instructs her to make him sick . He wants to make him uncomfortable and difficult to deal with. Crucially, he wants her to look at him while she’s doing it. The “Seeing” Part: He then asks her to see the meat – specifically, Tamar’s flesh. He wants to be able to see her as she eats it. What It Means (Simplified): This passage is a deeply disturbing and symbolic representation of a very dark and manipulative situation. Here's what it suggests: Jonadab was being controlled by his wife, Tamar. This isn’t just about a simple disagreement; it's about a power dynamic where Jonadab was being manipulated into doing something completely unsettling and potentially harmful. Tamar is the embodiment of temptation and desire. She’s seeking to exploit him for her own purposes – to observe him in a way that satisfies her own desires (which are implied to be rooted in her relationship with her father, who was also involved). The “seeing” part symbolizes a desire for power or control over someone. It represents Jonadab wanting to possess and dominate Tamar. Important Context - Why it’s a Problem: This story is found in the Book of Judges (chapter 19). It's a significant moment that sets the stage for much later conflict and tragedy in Israel’s history. The story highlights themes of: Betrayal: Tamar’s actions are seen as a betrayal of her father, who was shown to be manipulative. Manipulation & Control: It shows how easily someone can be controlled by their own desires and the desires of those around them. In short, this verse is a chilling example of a king using his power to manipulate and control another person through a disturbing and symbolic request. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular aspect of the story in more detail? Discuss the possible interpretations within biblical context? Give you some additional background about the Book of Judges?