Amnon has a friend named Jonadab, described as shrewd or crafty. The Hebrew word is chakam, meaning wise or cunning, but here it’s wisdom twisted for manipulation. Jonadab’s presence signals that sometimes the people closest to us can steer us wrong, especially when they use their intelligence for selfish ends.

This verse challenges the idea that friends always have our best interests at heart. In reality, advice can be dangerous when it encourages us to cross moral lines or ignore consequences. The Bible doesn’t shy away from showing how peer influence can make a bad situation worse.

If you’ve ever been pressured by a friend to do something you knew was wrong—or watched someone you care about listen to the wrong voices—this verse is a warning. The people we trust can shape our choices, for better or worse. It’s worth asking: Who’s really guiding you, and where are they leading?