King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:17 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

1 Samuel 23:17 · KJV


Context

15

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

16

And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

17

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

18

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

19

Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? on: Heb. on the right hand Jeshimon: or, the wilderness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

Jonathan's words blend comfort with prophetic certainty. The command 'fear not' (al-tira) echoes divine assurances throughout Scripture. His declaration about Saul's hand 'not finding' David expresses confidence in God's protection. Jonathan then affirms David's destiny: 'thou shalt be king over Israel.' Remarkably, he positions himself subordinate to David ('I shall be next unto thee'), accepting second place to his friend. The stunning conclusion—'Saul my father knoweth'—reveals that even Saul, despite his pursuit, recognized David's inevitable kingship. Jonathan's faith spoke truth his father's madness denied.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jonathan's acceptance of David's future kingship meant renouncing his own dynastic claim. Ancient Near Eastern succession typically passed father to son; Jonathan's deference was extraordinary. His statement about Saul's knowledge suggests Saul pursued David precisely because he recognized the divine appointment he could not prevent.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when God's plan places others above you?
  2. What does Jonathan's selfless encouragement teach about true friendship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 23

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַל3 of 23
H408

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

תִּירָ֗א4 of 23

unto him Fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

כִּ֠י5 of 23
H3588

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

לֹ֤א6 of 23
H3808

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

תִֽמְצָאֲךָ֙7 of 23

shall not find

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

יַ֚ד8 of 23

not for the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שָׁא֥וּל9 of 23

of Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אָבִ֖י10 of 23

my father

H1

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

וְאַתָּה֙11 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּמְלֹ֣ךְ12 of 23

thee and thou shalt be king

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

עַל13 of 23
H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל14 of 23

over Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י15 of 23
H595

i

אֶֽהְיֶה16 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְּךָ֣17 of 23
H0
לְמִשְׁנֶ֑ה18 of 23

and I shall be next

H4932

properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc

וְגַם19 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שָׁא֥וּל20 of 23

of Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אָבִ֖י21 of 23

my father

H1

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

יֹדֵ֥עַ22 of 23

knoweth

H3045

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

כֵּֽן׃23 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner


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 23:17 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 23:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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