King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:3 in the King James Version says “And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Le... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 20:3 · 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

5

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's oath 'as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth' invokes both divine and human witness. The phrase 'there is but a step between me and death' captures the precariousness of his situation. David's perception differed from Jonathan's optimism; experience had taught him Saul's implacable hatred. Sometimes friends closest to danger perceive its reality more clearly than those at safer distance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Double oaths invoking God and a respected person intensified solemnity. David's 'step' (pesa') imagery suggests an immediate boundary between life and death. His multiple escapes had sharpened his sense of ongoing danger.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you communicate urgent danger to friends who underestimate your situation?
  2. What does David's realistic assessment teach about wisdom that doesn't presume on past deliverances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֨ע1 of 28

sware

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

ע֜וֹד2 of 28
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

דָּוִ֗ד3 of 28

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר4 of 28

and he saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֵֽדַע5 of 28

certainly

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

יֵֽדַע6 of 28

certainly

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אָבִ֗יךָ7 of 28

Thy father

H1

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

כִּֽי8 of 28
H3588

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

מָצָ֤אתִי9 of 28

that I have found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵן֙10 of 28

grace

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ11 of 28

in thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר12 of 28

and he saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל13 of 28
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יֵֽדַע14 of 28

certainly

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

זֹ֥את15 of 28
H2063

this (often used adverb)

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֖ן16 of 28

Let not Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

פֶּן17 of 28
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יֵֽעָצֵ֑ב18 of 28

this lest he be grieved

H6087

properly, to carve, i.e., fabricate or fashion

וְאוּלָ֗ם19 of 28

but truly

H199

however or on the contrary

וְחֵ֣י20 of 28

liveth

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יְהוָה֙21 of 28

as the LORD

H3068

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

וְחֵ֣י22 of 28

liveth

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ23 of 28

and as thy soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כִּ֣י24 of 28
H3588

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

כְפֶ֔שַׂע25 of 28

there is but a step

H6587

a stride

בֵּינִ֖י26 of 28
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵ֥ין27 of 28
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַמָּֽוֶת׃28 of 28

between me and death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin


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 20:3 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 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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