1 Samuel 20:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:7 mean?

1 Samuel 20:7 describes how Jonathan tells David that if King Saul responds calmly (“It is well”) to David’s absence, David will be safe, but if Saul becomes very angry, it will be a clear sign that Saul intends harm against David. Jonathan is offering David a way to know Saul’s true intentions based on Saul’s reaction.

In this scene, Jonathan is speaking privately to David, who is worried that Saul wants to kill him. Jonathan proposes a test: David will miss a meal at the royal table, and Jonathan will watch Saul’s reaction. The verse sets up a practical way for David to find out if he is truly in danger without directly confronting Saul.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:7

• “Well” is טוֹב (tov), often meaning “good” or “favorable.” Here, it signals that if Saul’s response is positive, there is no immediate threat to David.
• “Peace” is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which can mean peace, safety, or well-being. Jonathan is saying David will have security if Saul is calm.
• “Very wroth” uses the word חָרָה (charah), meaning to burn with anger. The repetition (“very wroth”) emphasizes the intensity of Saul’s possible rage, which would be a warning sign.
• “Determined” is כָּלָה (kalah), meaning to be finished or completed. Jonathan is saying that if Saul is angry, it shows Saul has firmly decided on evil against David.

Why 1 Samuel 20:7 matters

• This verse clarifies the practical steps Jonathan and David used to uncover Saul’s true feelings, showing the real danger David faced.
• The use of “shalom” (peace) and “kalah” (determined) highlights the stark contrast between safety and settled hostility, making the stakes clear.
• The verse connects to the wider story of trust and loyalty between Jonathan and David, and the growing threat from Saul, setting the stage for the events that follow.