1 Samuel 20:10

10 Then David said to Jonathan, Who will give me word if your father gives you a rough answer?

1 Samuel 20:10 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:10

Then said David to Jonathan, who shall tell me?
&c.] The disposition of Saul's mind towards him, whether he gave a kind answer to the report of Jonathan concerning him:

or what [if] thy father answer thee roughly?
or hard words, as the Targum, whether he answers in a kind, loving, and smooth manner, or whether in a rough and angry one: the question is here, how he should be informed of this, since especially, if in the latter, it would not be safe for Jonathan to come himself to him, nor could he well trust the message with any other. Abarbinel thinks, that the first of these expressions is by way of question, who should declare to him his father's will and intention, whether good or bad: and the latter by way of outcry, woe unto me, if thy father should answer thee roughly; I greatly fear he will chide thee for my sake; my heart will be filled with sorrow if thou shouldest suffer reproach and rebuke on my account.

1 Samuel 20:10 In-Context

8 So, then, be kind to your servant; for you have been united with your servant in an agreement made before the Lord: but if there is any wrongdoing in me, put me to death yourself; why take me to your father?

9 And Jonathan said, Do not have such a thought: for if I saw that my father was designing evil against you, would I not give you word of it?

10 Then David said to Jonathan, Who will give me word if your father gives you a rough answer?

11 And Jonathan said to David, Come, let us go out into the country. And the two of them went out together into the open country.

12 And Jonathan said to David, May the Lord, the God of Israel, be witness; when I have had a chance of talking to my father, about this time tomorrow, if his feelings to David are good, will I not send and give you the news?