King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:2 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:2 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 20:2 · KJV

Context

1

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

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

3

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.

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

Read 1 Samuel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Jonathan's confident denial - 'God forbid; thou shalt not die' (chalilah) - expressed loving assurance combined with incomplete information. His assumption that Saul would confide everything to him reveals underestimation of his father's duplicity. The phrase 'nothing either great or small' (gadol o qaton) covers the entire spectrum of decisions. Jonathan's confidence in his father's transparency would soon prove mistaken. Sometimes those closest to a situation have blind spots that outsiders perceive more clearly. Love for family can obscure recognition of that family member's capacity for evil.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sons typically served as their fathers' confidants in ancient royal courts, participating in state decisions from youth. Jonathan's assumption of complete transparency reflected normal father-son relationships in royalty. His subsequent discovery of Saul's concealment would be doubly painful.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has family loyalty blinded you to a family member's harmful intentions?
  2. How do you balance trust in loved ones with realistic assessment of their actions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 27

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֣וֹ2 of 27
H0
חָלִילָה֮3 of 27

“unto him God forbid”

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!