Text: II Samuel 13:1-20
Memory verse:
”Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As much as petrol is highly inflammable, it can be controlled as long as naked fire is not brought near it. A tree with an inner rot may still stand for a long time until a strong wind blows against it.
According to our text today, Jonadab was the key player in the rape plot. Who was Jonadab? He was the son of David’s brother, Shimeah. He was David’s nephew and a second cousin of Amnon, David’s firstborn son. He was also a supposed “friend” to Amnon.
Amnon had an evil desire for his half-sister Tamar, but his lack of self-control was still under control until Jonadab came. Meteorologists agree that there are three conditions that must be present in order for a wildfire to burn. Firefighters refer to it as the fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and a heat source. Four out of five wildfires are started by people as heat sources. Likewise, most evil plots have some friends behind them as heat sources. They may not directly participate in it, but they are the evil advisers. Such was Jonadab, a friendly enemy of Amnon whose lust was ignited by Jonadab’s counsel!
Just like the serpent in the garden of Eden, he was described as being “crafty”, that is, exceptionally clever, cunning, or shrewd, especially in devious or underhanded ways
“…the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.” (Gen 3:1). As the serpent advised Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, so did Jonadab advise Amnon to eat the forbidden fruit of his sister, Tamar. He was an evil strategist and a friendly enemy. He appeared to have done the same thing to Absalom. Two years after the rape, Absalom conspired to have Amnon killed. Jonadab was at the palace when the news of the murder of Amnon got to David, comforting and assuring him that all his sons weren’t dead but only Amnon (2 Sam 13:32). How did he have such timely information? He must have been on Absalom’s secret. Perhaps he had been Absalom’s advisor too! What a friendly enemy!
A friendly enemy pretends to be your friend but is actually an enemy! They are wicked counselors and are more deadly than real enemies. “Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder–watch out!” (Prov 27:6 GNT).
May the Lord deliver you from all friendly enemies in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Let every friendly enemies in my life be exposed, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, deliver me from evil counselors who act like friends in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I am a faithful friend, for I say the truth to my friends, even when it hurts.
2. A friendly enemy pretends to be your friend, but his kisses are dangerous.