1 Samuel 20:12-17

12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded^[a] my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew* it thee;

13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew^[b]* it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

16 So Jonathan made^[c] a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.

17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

1 Samuel 20:12-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 20

David fleeing from Naioth came to Jonathan, and acquainted him with his circumstances, and entreated his favour, 1Sa 20:1-8; which Jonathan promised, and renewed the covenant with him, 1Sa 20:9-17; a scheme was formed between them, by which David might know whether Saul was reconciled to him, and he might come to court, 1Sa 20:18-23; which being tried, Jonathan found it was not safe for him to appear, 1Sa 20:24-34; of which he gave notice by the signals agreed on, 1Sa 20:35-40; and they took their leave of one another with strong expressions of affection and attachment to each other, 1Sa 20:41,42.

Footnotes

• [a]. sounded: Heb. searched
• [b]. shew...: Heb. uncover thine ear
• [c]. made: Heb. cut