King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:4 in the King James Version says “Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. Whatsoever: or, Say what is thy...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 20:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. sacrifice: or, feast

Read 1 Samuel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Jonathan's unconditional offer - 'Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee' - exemplifies covenant love's total commitment. The Hebrew nephesh (soul) language echoes their soul-knit friendship (18:1). This blank check of loyalty reflects the self-sacrificing love that marks true friendship. Jonathan would indeed do whatever David asked, at great personal cost.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Such unconditional commitments between friends carried binding force in ancient cultures. Jonathan's promise anticipated personal sacrifice given his father's enmity toward David. The soul-level commitment transcended political calculation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What would unconditional commitment to a friend's welfare cost you?
  2. How does Jonathan's offer model the kind of love Christ shows His friends?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
תֹּאמַ֥ר1 of 9

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֖ן2 of 9

“Jonathan”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

אֶל3 of 9
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֑ד4 of 9

“unto David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מַה5 of 9
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תֹּאמַ֥ר6 of 9

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נַפְשְׁךָ֖7 of 9

“Whatsoever 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

וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה8 of 9

“I will even do”

H6213

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

לָּֽךְ׃9 of 9
H0

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 20:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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