King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:13 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 20:13 · KJV


Context

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:

15

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Jonathan's self-imprecation 'The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan' invokes curses upon himself if he fails David. His acknowledgment 'the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father' recognizes divine favor has transferred from Saul to David. Jonathan's extraordinary spiritual perception recognized God's work and submitted to it despite personal loss. Such gracious yielding to divine providence marks mature faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Self-imprecation formulas invited divine punishment for oath violation. Jonathan's recognition of God's presence with David echoed what Saul himself perceived (18:28). The heir acknowledging his father's replacement showed remarkable humility.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when God's blessing seems to pass to others, perhaps including your own hoped-for position?
  2. What does Jonathan's gracious acceptance of David's destiny teach about submitting to God's surprising choices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְכֹ֣ה1 of 26

so

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יַעֲשֶׂה֩2 of 26

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָה֙3 of 26

The LORD

H3068

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

לִיהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן4 of 26

to Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

וְכֹ֣ה5 of 26

so

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֹסִ֗יף6 of 26

and much more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

כִּֽי7 of 26
H3588

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

יֵיטִ֨ב8 of 26

but if it please

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אֶל9 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִֽי׃10 of 26

be with thee as he hath been with my father

H1

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

אֶת11 of 26
H853

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

הָֽרָעָה֙12 of 26

to do thee evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

עָלֶ֔יךָ13 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְגָלִ֙יתִי֙14 of 26

then I will shew

H1540

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

אֶת15 of 26
H853

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

אָזְנֶ֔ךָ16 of 26
H241

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

וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֖יךָ17 of 26

it thee and send thee away

H7971

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

וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֣18 of 26

that thou mayest go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְשָׁל֑וֹם19 of 26

in peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

וִיהִ֤י20 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יְהוָה֙21 of 26

The LORD

H3068

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

עִמָּ֔ךְ22 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר23 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיָ֖ה24 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִם25 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אָבִֽי׃26 of 26

be with thee as he hath been with my father

H1

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


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 20:13 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 20:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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