1 Samuel 20:14

14 "If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the LORD, that I may not die?

1 Samuel 20:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:14

And thou shalt not only, while yet I live, show me the
kindness of the Lord
Such kindness as is well pleasing in the sight of God, and imitate what he shows to men, and which was covenanted, promised, and agreed to in the presence of the Lord, when David and Jonathan entered into covenant with each other; this Jonathan did not doubt of, and therefore did not make this a request:

that I die not;
he had no fear nor dread on his mind, should David come to the throne while he was alive, that he would take away his life; which was usually done by tyrants and usurpers, when there were any that had a fairer title, and better claim to the throne than they.

1 Samuel 20:14 In-Context

12 Then Jonathan said to David, "The LORD , the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you?
13 "If it please my father to do you harm, may the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the LORD be with you as He has been with my father.
14 "If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the LORD , that I may not die?
15 "You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever , not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."
16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD require it at the hands of David's enemies."
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