1 Samuel 20:10

Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant

10 Then David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

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 Therefore show kindness to your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”

9 “Never!” Jonathan replied. “If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you?”

10 Then David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

11 “Come,” he replied, “let us go out to the field.” So the two of them went out into the field,

12 and Jonathan said, “By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you?