Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?

1 SAMUEL 20:30KJV
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1 Samuel 20:30 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:30 mean?

1 Samuel 20:30 describes Saul erupting in anger at his son Jonathan, accusing him of siding with David (the son of Jesse) in a way that brings shame and disgrace to their family. Saul uses harsh language to express his fury, suggesting Jonathan’s loyalty to David is a betrayal that dishonors both himself and his mother.

In this scene, Saul is speaking to Jonathan during a confrontation about David’s absence from a royal feast. Saul’s words reveal his deep suspicion and jealousy toward David, as well as his frustration with Jonathan for protecting David. The verse shows the breakdown of trust within Saul’s family and highlights the intensity of Saul’s emotions as he feels his authority slipping away.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:30

  • "Anger" (אַף, ʾaf): This word often refers to the nose or nostrils, but in Hebrew it is a common way to describe fierce anger, as if someone is breathing hard in rage. Saul’s anger here is not mild irritation but a burning, visible fury.
  • "Kindled" (חָרָה, charah): This verb means to burn or become hot, emphasizing that Saul’s anger flared up suddenly and powerfully in response to Jonathan’s actions.
  • "Perverse" (עָקַל, aqal) and "rebellious" (מָרָה, marah): These strong insults accuse Jonathan’s mother of being twisted and defiant, but Saul is really lashing out at Jonathan by attacking his family honor.
  • "Confusion" (בְּשֶׁת, boshet): This word means shame or disgrace. Saul accuses Jonathan of bringing shame not only on himself but also on his mother, making the confrontation deeply personal.

Why 1 Samuel 20:30 matters

  • This verse shows just how far Saul’s jealousy of David has gone, to the point where he lashes out at his own son with cruel words and accusations.
  • The language Saul uses reveals the seriousness of the family conflict and the emotional cost of Jonathan’s loyalty to David.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew words helps clarify that Saul’s outburst is not just about political rivalry but about deep feelings of betrayal and dishonor within the family.

Where else these words appear

“perverse” Hebrew H5753 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
  • Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
  • Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

“confusion” Hebrew H1322 · used in 29 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Psalms 132:18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
  • Jeremiah 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

“Jesse” Hebrew H3448 · used in 39 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
  • 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

“nakedness” Hebrew H6172 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 9:22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
  • Leviticus 18:13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
  • Deuteronomy 23:14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.