King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:15 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:15 in the King James Version says “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 D...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 20:15 · KJV

Context

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.

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

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

Read 1 Samuel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Jonathan's remarkable request anticipates David's complete victory: 'when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one.' This acknowledges both David's future triumph and the potential danger to Saul's house. The phrase 'cut off thy kindness' (karat chesed) uses covenant language - Jonathan asks that David's covenant loyalty continue to his descendants. David would fulfill this promise through Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9). Jonathan secured future protection for his house by trusting David's covenant faithfulness even when David was still a hunted fugitive.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern succession often involved eliminating previous royal families. Jonathan's request acknowledged realistic danger his descendants would face under a new dynasty. The covenant extended protection beyond personal friendship to family obligation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do your commitments extend to benefit future generations beyond your immediate relationships?
  2. What does Jonathan's forward-thinking covenant-making teach about securing blessing for descendants?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 18
H3808

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

בְּהַכְרִ֤ת2 of 18

“But also thou shalt not cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶֽת3 of 18
H853

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

חַסְדְּךָ֛4 of 18

“thy kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

מֵעִ֥ם5 of 18
H5973

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

בֵּיתִ֖י6 of 18

“from my house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עַד7 of 18

“for”

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָ֑ם8 of 18

“ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְלֹ֗א9 of 18
H3808

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

בְּהַכְרִ֤ת10 of 18

“But also thou shalt not cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

יְהוָה֙11 of 18

“no not when the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת12 of 18
H853

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

אֹֽיְבֵ֣י13 of 18

“the enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

דָוִ֔ד14 of 18

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אִ֕ישׁ15 of 18

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵעַ֖ל16 of 18
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֥י17 of 18

“from the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃18 of 18

“of the earth”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

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 20:15 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 20:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 21:71 Samuel 24:212 Samuel 9:1-7

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