1 Samuel 20:14

1 Samuel 20:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:
• New International Version (NIV)But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed,
• English Standard Version (ESV)If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die;
• New King James Version (NKJV)And you shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live, that I may not die;

Context of 1 Samuel 20:14

12Then Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, is my witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he has a good feeling toward you, shall I not then send word to you and make it known to you? 13But if it pleases my father to do you harm, may the Lord do so to Jonathan, and more if I do not let you know about it and send you away, so that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness and faithfulness of the Lord, so that I will not die? 15You shall never cut off your lovingkindness and faithfulness from my house, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David. [He added,] “May the Lord require it at the hands of David’s enemies. [that is, hold them accountable for any harm they inflict on David].”

1 Samuel 20:14 word by word

וְלֹ֖א אִם־עוֹדֶ֣נִּי חָ֑י וְלֹֽא־תַעֲשֶׂ֧ה עִמָּדִ֛י חֶ֥סֶד יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And thou shalt not only while yetאִם'im · ifH518
• I liveחַיchay · aliveH2416
• shewעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• me the kindnessחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · kindnessH2617
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• that I dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 20:14

• 2 Samuel 9:3And the king said, “Is there no longer anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show the goodness and graciousness of God?” Ziba replied to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan, [one] whose feet are crippled.”
• Ephesians 5:1Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 20:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Show me the kindness of the Lord - When thou comest to the kingdom, if I am alive, thou shalt show kindness to me, and thou shalt continue that kindness to my family after me.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14The general meaning is: Jonathan had a presentiment, doubtless from God, that David would be established upon the throne. By God‘s mercy he had the comfort, which he well deserved, of knowing that his own posterity would receive kindness at David‘s hand (see the marginal references).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-23Verses 11-23 Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-16loving devotion: The Hebrew word ḥesed refers to loyal love and faithfulness to a covenant (see study note on 1 Samuel 20:8). Jonathan reminded David to keep his commitment to him when David became king. Jonathan’s concern was reasonable. In the ancient world, a new king might kill members of the former royal family to remove rivals to the throne. Saul later made a similar request of David (1 Samuel 24:21).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 20:14

• Oath

In the dictionaries

• Artillery
• David
• Require
• Jesse
• Jonathan (2)
• Kindness
• Samuel, Books of
• Ziba
• New Moon

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary