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1 Samuel 20:8

FriendshipFaithfulness and loyaltyCovenant and promises

6 If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’

7 If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he is enraged, you will know he has evil intentions.

Therefore deal faithfully with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”

9 “Never!” Jonathan replied. “If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you?”

10 Then David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

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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.

Compare

BSB
Therefore deal faithfully with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”
KJV
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
WEB
Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you; but if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?”
ASV
Therefore deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of Jehovah with thee: but if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
DARBY
Deal kindly then with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of Jehovah with thee; but if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
BLB
Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant, for into a covenant of YHWH you have brought your servant with you. And if there is in me iniquity, kill me yourself; and for what [is] this [that] you should bring me to your father?”
ÅB
Vis da godhet mot din tjener, siden du har latt din tjener inntrede i vennskapspakt med deg i Herrens navn! Men er det noen misgjerning hos meg, så drep du meg! Hvorfor skulle du vel føre meg til din far?
OTB
Derfor, vis vennlighet mot din tjener, for du har brakt din tjener inn i en pakt med Herren med deg. Men hvis det er skyld i meg, drep meg selv; for hvorfor skulle du bringe meg til din far?"
B1930
Vis da godhet mot din tjener, siden du har latt din tjener inntrede i vennskapspakt med dig i Herrens navn! Men er det nogen misgjerning hos mig, så drep du mig! Hvorfor skulde du vel føre mig til din far?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 18:3

    Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

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  • 2 Samuel 14:32

    “Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 23:18

    So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

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  • 1 Samuel 20:16

    So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”

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  • 1 Chronicles 12:17

    And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”

    Read in context

  • Joshua 22:22

    “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 24:49

    Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 3:3

    Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

    Read in context