King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:12 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:12 in the King James Version says “And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; sounded: Heb. searched shew: Heb. uncover thine ear

1 Samuel 20:12 · KJV


Context

10

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

11

And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

12

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; sounded: Heb. searched shew: Heb. uncover thine ear

13

The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father. shew: Heb. uncover thine ear

14

And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

Jonathan's oath beginning 'O LORD God of Israel' formally invokes divine witness to his commitment. The conditional structure - 'when I have sounded my father...if there be good toward David' - acknowledges uncertainty while pledging faithful intelligence. This proto-spy operation for godly purposes demonstrates that wisdom sometimes requires covert information gathering to protect the innocent.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Invoking deity as witness created binding obligation with supernatural enforcement. Jonathan's plan involved family intelligence - learning his father's true intentions through the New Moon feast. Ancient royal courts relied on such information networks.

Reflection Questions

  1. When is covert information gathering appropriate for protecting innocent people?
  2. How does Jonathan's formal oath strengthen his commitment to a dangerous course of action?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 25

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן2 of 25

And Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

אֶל3 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֑ד4 of 25

toward David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יְהוָ֞ה5 of 25

O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֤י6 of 25

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙7 of 25

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּֽי8 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶחְקֹ֣ר9 of 25

when I have sounded

H2713

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

אֶת10 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אָבִ֗י11 of 25

my father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

כָּעֵ֤ת׀12 of 25

any time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מָחָר֙13 of 25

about to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֔ית14 of 25

or the third

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

וְהִנֵּה15 of 25
H2009

lo!

ט֖וֹב16 of 25
H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֶל17 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֑ד18 of 25

toward David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְלֹא19 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָז֙20 of 25
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

אֶשְׁלַ֣ח21 of 25

and I then send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֔יךָ22 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְגָלִ֖יתִי23 of 25

not unto thee and shew

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אֶת24 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אָזְנֶֽךָ׃25 of 25
H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 20:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 20:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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