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


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!

לֹ֣א4 of 27
H3808

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

תָמוּת֒5 of 27

thou shalt not die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הִנֵּ֡ה6 of 27
H2009

lo!

לוֹ7 of 27
H0
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה8 of 27

will do

H6213

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

אָבִ֥י9 of 27

behold my father

H1

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

הַדָּבָ֥ר10 of 27

nothing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

גָּד֗וֹל11 of 27

either great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

א֚וֹ12 of 27
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

הַדָּבָ֥ר13 of 27

nothing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

קָטֹ֔ן14 of 27

or small

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וְלֹ֥א15 of 27
H3808

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

יִגְלֶ֖ה16 of 27

but that he will shew

H1540

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

אֶת17 of 27
H853

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

אָזְנִ֑י18 of 27
H241

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

וּמַדּוּעַ֩19 of 27
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

יַסְתִּ֨יר20 of 27

hide

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

אָבִ֥י21 of 27

behold my father

H1

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

מִמֶּ֛נִּי22 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֶת23 of 27
H853

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

הַדָּבָ֥ר24 of 27

nothing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֖ה25 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֵ֥ין26 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

זֹֽאת׃27 of 27
H2063

this (often used adverb)


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 20:2 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 20:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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