Question 1

What does 1 Samuel 20:7 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:7

Accepted Answer

“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.

Question 3

Why 1 Samuel 20:7 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

1 Samuel 20:7 (KJV)