And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
1 SAMUEL 20:9KJVWhat does 1 Samuel 20:9 mean?
1 Samuel 20:9 shows Jonathan assuring David that he would never hide any danger from him. Jonathan promises that if he ever knows for certain that his father, King Saul, plans harm against David, he will warn David right away.
Jonathan is speaking to David during a tense time when David fears Saul wants to kill him. Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s close friend, insists that he would never betray David’s trust. This verse highlights Jonathan’s loyalty and the seriousness of the situation between Saul and David.
The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:9
- The word for "evil" is רָעָה (ra‘ah), which often means harm or disaster. Jonathan is not just talking about something unpleasant but real danger or intent to do harm.
- The word translated "determined" is כָּלָה (kalah), which carries the sense of something being finished or decided. Jonathan is saying that if he knows Saul has firmly decided on David’s harm, he will act.
- The verb "to tell" is נָגַד (nagad), which means to make something known or to report. Jonathan is emphasizing his commitment to inform David openly, not keeping secrets.
Why 1 Samuel 20:9 matters
- This verse clears up any doubt about Jonathan’s loyalty to David, even though Saul is his own father. Jonathan’s words show he values truth and friendship over family allegiance when it comes to right and wrong.
- The verse sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, where Jonathan and David work together to find out Saul’s true intentions. It shows the trust and honesty at the heart of their friendship.
- By using strong language, Jonathan reassures David and the reader that he will not let harm come to David without warning him, highlighting the seriousness of Saul’s threat.