1 Samuel 20:3

20:2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. shew: Heb. uncover mine ear

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.

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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 Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”

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.

And David swore moreover, and said, Your father certainly knows that I have found grace in your eyes; and he says, Let not 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.

20:4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. Whatsoever: or, Say what is thy mind and I will do, etc desireth: Heb. speaketh, or, thinketh

What does 1 Samuel 20:3 mean?

1 Samuel 20:3 is a verse in the book of 1 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דָּוִד (Dâvid), שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ), אָמַר (ʼâmar). It connects to 13 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

DavidדָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse

swareשָׁבַעshâbaʻ/shaw-bah'/H7650to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

moreover,

and

said,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

Thy

fatherאָבʼâb/awb/H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

certainlyיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

knowethיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

that

have

foundמָצָאmâtsâʼ/maw-tsaw'/H4672properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

graceחֵןchên/khane/H2580graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

thine

eyes;עַיִןʻayin/ah'-yin/H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

and

saith,אָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

Let

not

JonathanיְהוֹנָתָןYᵉhôwnâthân/yeh-ho-naw-thawn'/H3083Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites

knowיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

this,

lest

grieved:עָצַבʻâtsab/aw-tsab'/H6087properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or anger

but

trulyאוּלָםʼûwlâm/oo-lawm'/H199however or on the contrary

the

LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

liveth,חַיchay/khah'-ee/H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively

and

thy

soulנֶפֶשׁnephesh/neh'-fesh/H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

there

but

stepפֶּשַׂעpesaʻ/peh'-sah/H6587a stride

between

and

death.מָוֶתmâveth/maw'-veth/H4194death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:3

HENRY_FULL · 1 Samuel 20:1–3

i >b. c. 1067.) 47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. 48 And he gathered a host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. 51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. Here is a general account of Saul's court and camp. 1. Of his court and family, the names of his sons and daughters ( v. 49 ), and of his wife and his cousin-german that was general of his army, v. 50 . There is mention of another wife of Saul's ( 2 Sam. xxi. 8 ), Rizpah, a secondary wife, and of the children he had by her. 2. Of his camp and military actions. (1.) How he levied his army: When he saw any strong valiant man, that was remarkably fit for service, he took him unto him ( v. 52 ), as Samuel had told them the manner of the king would be ( ch. viii. 11 ); and, if he must have a standing army, it was his prudence to fill it up with the ablest men he could make choice of. (2.) How he employed his army. He guarded his country against the insults of its enemies on every side, and prevented their incursions, v. 47, 48 . It is supposed that he acted only defensively against those that used to invade the borders of Israel; and whithersoever he turned himself, as there was occasion, he vexed them, by checking and disappointing them. But the enemies he struggled most with were the Philistines, with whom he had sore war all his days, v. 52 . He had little reason to be proud of his royal dignity, nor had any of his neighbours cause to envy him, for he had little enjoyment of himself after he took the kingdom. He could not vex his enemies without some vexation to himself, such thorns are crowns quilted with.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Samuel 9:16

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

1 Samuel 10:1

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

1 Samuel 12:14

If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: commandment: Heb. mouth continue: Heb. be after

1 Samuel 13:13

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

1 Samuel 20:16

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. made: Heb. cut

1 Samuel 20:17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. because: or, by his love toward him

1 Samuel 20:18

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. empty: Heb. missed

2 Samuel 23:2

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:3

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. He: or, Be thou ruler, etc

1 Chronicles 22:12

Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

1 Chronicles 22:13

Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

Psalms 2:10

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Psalms 2:11

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Topics

Death

People & places in this verse

People

David Jonathan

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 Samuel 20:3.

Genesis 18:3

And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Genesis 19:19

Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

Genesis 30:27

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

1 Samuel 16:22

And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

Genesis 16:7

And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

Genesis 19:33

And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

Genesis 19:35

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 Samuel 20:3 say?

1 Samuel 20:3 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is 1 Samuel 20:3 in the Old or New Testament?

1 Samuel 20:3 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 Samuel.

Reflect

As you read 1 Samuel 20:3, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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