1 Samuel 20:12-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:9-23

Here, I. Jonathan protests his fidelity to David in his distress. Notwithstanding the strong confidence David had in Jonathan, yet, because he might have some reason to fear that his father's influence, and his own interest, should make him warp, or grow cool towards him, Jonathan thought it requisite solemnly to renew the professions of his friendship to him (1 Sam. 20:9): ?Far be it from thee to think that I suspect thee of any crime for which I should either slay thee myself or deliver thee... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:12

And Jonathan said unto David, O Lord God of Israel ,.... Or by the Lord God of Israel, I swear unto thee; for this is the form of the oath, as Jarchi and Kimchi observe: when I have sounded my father about tomorrow any time, or the third day ; searched, inquired, and found out how his disposition is: and, behold, if there be good toward David ; if he is well disposed to him, as may appear by speaking respectfully of him, or kindly inquiring after him, and by being satisfied... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:13

The Lord do so and much more to Jonathan ,.... Recompense evil more than can be thought of and expressed, should he neglect to inform David of the good disposition of Saul unto him: but if it please my father to do thee evil ; if he seems determined upon it to take away thy life: then I will show it thee ; not by a messenger, by whom it would not be safe to communicate it, lest by that means Saul would know where he was, and come and slay him; but Jonathan would come himself, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:15

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever ,.... His family should partake of it as well as himself: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David, everyone from the face of the earth ; Saul and his sons, and everyone that should oppose his settlement in the kingdom: Jonathan's meaning is, that the covenant between them should not be only between them personally, but include their posterity, as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:16

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David ,.... Not with David himself only, which was now renewed, but with his family also: saying , let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies ; take vengeance on Jonathan, or on any of his posterity, should they break this covenant, by showing themselves enemies to David, and his crown; and, on the other hand, also on David, and his posterity, should they not show kindness to Jonathan and his seed, according to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again ,.... Or Jonathan added to make David swears F21 ויסף "et addidit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so the Tigurine version. ; having sworn himself to make a covenant of friendship with David and his family, he moved and insisted on it, that David should swear to keep covenant with him, and his family: because he loved him ; it was not so much for the good and safety of his offspring that he made this motion, and was so desirous of renewing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:12

Jonathan said - O Lord God of Israel - There is, most evidently, something wanting in this verse. The Septuagint has, The Lord God of Israel doth Know. The Syriac and Arabic, The Lord God of Israel is Witness. Either of these makes a good sense. But two of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. supply the word חי chai , "liveth;" and the text reads thus, As the Lord God of Israel Liveth, when I have sounded my father - if there be good, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee, the Lord... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:13

The Lord be with thee , as he hath been with my father - From this, and other passages here it is evident that Jonathan knew that the Lord had appointed David to the kingdom. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:14

Show me the kindness of the Lord - When thou comest to the kingdom, if I am alive, thou shalt show kindness to me, and thou shalt continue that kindness to my family after me. read more

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