1 Samuel 20:7

7 If he say thus, It is well; your servant shall have shalom: but if he be angry, then know that evil is determined by him.

1 Samuel 20:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:7

If he say thus, [it is] well
It is very well, it is very good and right in him to do so:

thy servant shall have peace;
it will be a token that the wrath of the king was removed, and that his mind was well disposed towards David, and things had taken an happy turn, and would issue in his peace and prosperity:

but if he be very wroth;
with Jonathan for giving leave, and with David for going away:

[then] be sure that evil is determined by him;
that he has a settled obstinate malice in his heart, which is become implacable and inveterate, and confirmed in him; and that it is a determined point with him to slay David if possible, which he hoped to have an opportunity of doing at that time in which he was disappointed, and caused such wrath in him.

1 Samuel 20:7 In-Context

5 David said to Yonatan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at even.

6 If your father miss me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beit-Lechem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

7 If he say thus, It is well; your servant shall have shalom: but if he be angry, then know that evil is determined by him.

8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant; for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you: but if there be in me iniquity, kill me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father?

9 Yonatan said, Far be it from you; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then wouldn't I tell you that?