Kings I 20:8

8 And thou shalt deal mercifully with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thyself: and if there is iniquity in thy servant, slay me thyself; but why dost thou thus bring me to thy father?

Kings I 20:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:8

And all the elders and all the people said unto him
They were unanimous in their advice:

hearken not [unto him], nor consent;
promising, no doubt, that they would stand by him.

Kings I 20:8 In-Context

6 And if thy father do in anywise enquire for me, then shalt thou say, David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethleem his city, for there, a yearly sacrifice for all the family.

7 If he shall say thus, Well, — safe for thy servant: but if he shall answer harshly to thee, know that evil is determined by him.

8 And thou shalt deal mercifully with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thyself: and if there is iniquity in thy servant, slay me thyself; but why dost thou thus bring me to thy father?

9 And Jonathan said, That be far from thee: for if I surely know that evil is determined by my father to come upon thee, although it should not be against thy cities, I will tell thee.

10 And David said to Jonathan, Who can tell me if thy father should answer roughly?