1 Samuel 20:9

9 Then Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! For if I know for certain that {my father decided evil should come upon you}, would I not have told it to you?"

1 Samuel 20:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:9

And Jonathan said, far be it from thee
To entertain such a thought of me, or to have the least suspicion of me, that I should conceal my father's ill intentions against thee, if known to me;

for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come
upon thee, then would I not tell it thee?
certainly I would; canst thou doubt of my kindness and fidelity? surely thou hast no reason, when such a covenant of friendship subsists between us, and there has not been the least breach of it on either side.

1 Samuel 20:9 In-Context

7 If he says 'Good,' [it will mean] peace for your servant; but if he [is] very angry, know that {he has decided to do me harm}.

8 So you must show loyal love to your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you. But if there [is] guilt in me, [then] kill me yourself! But why should you bring me to your father?"

9 Then Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! For if I know for certain that {my father decided evil should come upon you}, would I not have told it to you?"

10 Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if what your father answers you [is] harsh?"

11 And Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out to the field." So the two of them went out to the field.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "the evil [is] determined from with my father to come over you"