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1 Samuel 20:3

DavidJonathan
FearDeath and loss

1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?”

2 “Far from it!” Jonathan replied. “You will not die. Indeed, my father does nothing, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This cannot be true!”

But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

4 Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you desire, I will do for you.”

5 So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. Instead, let me go and hide in the field until the third evening from now.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

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BSB
But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”
KJV
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
WEB
David swore moreover, and said, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes; and he says, ‘Don’t let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved;’ but truly as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”
ASV
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father knoweth well that I have found favor in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
DARBY
And David swore again and again, and said, Thy father certainly knows that I have found favour in thy sight: and he has thought, Jonathan shall not know this, lest he be grieved; but truly [as] Jehovah liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
BLB
And David took an oath again and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly [as] YHWH lives, and [as] your soul lives, but a step [is] between me and between death.”
ÅB
Men David svarte med en ed: Din far vet meget vel at jeg har funnet nåde for dine øyne, og derfor tenker han som så: Jonatan må ikke få vite dette, for at han ikke skal bli bedrøvet. Men så sant Herren lever, og så sant du lever: Det er bare et skritt mellom meg og døden.
OTB
Likevel sverget David igjen og sa: "Din far vet godt at jeg har funnet nåde i dine øyne, og han har sagt: 'Jonatan må ikke få vite dette, så han ikke blir bedrøvet.' Men sannelig, så sant Herren lever og så sant du selv lever, det er knapt et skritt mellom meg og døden."
B1930
Men David svarte med en ed: Din far vet meget vel at jeg har funnet nåde for dine øine, og derfor tenker han som så: Jonatan må ikke få vite dette, forat han ikke skal bli bedrøvet. Men så sant Herren lever, og så sant du lever: Det er bare et skritt mellem mig og døden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 6:13

    Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.

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  • 1 Samuel 27:1

    David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 25:26

    Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 2:6

    And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 1:26

    “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 2:2

    and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

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  • 2 Kings 2:4

    And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 17:55

    As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”

    Read in context