1 Samuel 20:32

32 Yonatan answered Sha'ul his father, and said to him, Why should he be put to death? what has he done?

1 Samuel 20:32 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:32

And Jonathan answered Saul his, father, and said unto him,
&c.] Making no answer to the charges of perverseness, rebellion, and folly brought against himself, which he bore with patience, but could not bear to hear his dear friend spoken against, and as worthy of death; and therefore in answer to that says,

wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
has he attempted to take away thy life? to deprive thee of thy crown? to settle himself upon the throne? what overt act of treason has he been guilty of; that he should die? on the contrary, has he not done many things worthy of immortal honour, for the good of the nation, and the glory of thy reign? and if God has determined the kingdom for him, and anointed him to it, what blame can be laid upon him? nay, should he not be the rather respected and honoured?

1 Samuel 20:32 In-Context

30 Then Sha'ul's anger was kindled against Yonatan, and he said to him, You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don't I know that you have chosen the son of Yishai to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?

31 For as long as the son of Yishai lives on the eretz, you shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.

32 Yonatan answered Sha'ul his father, and said to him, Why should he be put to death? what has he done?

33 Sha'ul cast his spear at him to strike him; whereby Yonatan knew that is was determined of his father to put David to death.

34 So Yonatan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.