1 Samuel 20:15

15 ¹and do not cut off^[a] your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth. ”

1 Samuel 20:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:15

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house
for ever
His family should partake of it as well as himself:

no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David, everyone
from the face of the earth;
Saul and his sons, and everyone that should oppose his settlement in the kingdom: Jonathan's meaning is, that the covenant between them should not be only between them personally, but include their posterity, as follows.

1 Samuel 20:15 In-Context

13 But should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the Lord be with you, as he has been with my father.

14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die;

15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth. ”

16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord take vengeance on David’s enemies. ”

17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Cross References

• 1. 20:15 2 Sam. 9:1, 3, 7; 21:7

Footnotes

• [a] 20:15 Or 'but if I die, do not cut off'