1 Samuel 20:32

32 Jonathan answered his father back: "Why is he to be killed? What has he done?"^[a]

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 Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you are siding with Jesse's son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother?

31 Every day Jesse's son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me-he deserves to die."

32 Jonathan answered his father back: "Why is he to be killed? What has he done?"

33 Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David.

34 He got up from the table in fierce anger and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father's shameful behavior toward David.

Footnotes

• [a]. 1 Sm 19:5