1 Samuel 20:14

14 And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die,

1 Samuel 20:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:14

And thou shalt not only, while yet I live, show me the
kindness of the Lord
Such kindness as is well pleasing in the sight of God, and imitate what he shows to men, and which was covenanted, promised, and agreed to in the presence of the Lord, when David and Jonathan entered into covenant with each other; this Jonathan did not doubt of, and therefore did not make this a request:

that I die not;
he had no fear nor dread on his mind, should David come to the throne while he was alive, that he would take away his life; which was usually done by tyrants and usurpers, when there were any that had a fairer title, and better claim to the throne than they.

1 Samuel 20:14 In-Context

12 Then Jonathan told David, “I promise by the LORD, the God of Israel, that by this time tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, I will talk to my father and let you know at once how he feels about you. If he speaks favorably about you, I will let you know.

13 But if he is angry and wants you killed, may the LORD strike me and even kill me if I don’t warn you so you can escape and live. May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.

14 And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die,

15 treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.”

16 So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the LORD destroy all your enemies!”