1 Samuel 20 – Bible | Equip God’s People

World English Bible Classic

^[1] David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” ^[2] He said to him, “Far from it; you will not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small, but that he discloses it to me. Why would my father hide this thing from me? It is not so.” ^[3] David swore moreover, and said, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes; and he says, ‘Don’t let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved;’ but truly as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” ^[4] Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever your soul desires, I will even do it for you.” ^[5] David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to dine with the king; but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field to the third day at evening. ^[6] If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem, his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’ ^[7] If he says, ‘It is well,’ your servant shall have peace; but if he is angry, then know that evil is determined by him. ^[8] Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you; but if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?” ^[9] Jonathan said, “Far be it from you; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then wouldn’t I tell you that?” ^[10] Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?” ^[11] Jonathan said to David, “Come! Let’s go out into the field.” They both went out into the field. ^[12] Jonathan said to David, “By Yahweh, the God of Israel, when I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, won’t I then send to you and disclose it to you? ^[13] Yahweh do so to Jonathan and more also, should it please my father to do you evil, if I don’t disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in peace. May Yahweh be with you as he has been with my father. ^[14] You shall not only show me the loving kindness of Yahweh while I still live, that I not die; ^[15] but you shall also not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when Yahweh has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the surface of the earth.” ^[16] So Jonathan made a covenant with David’s house, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” ^[17] Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. ^[18] Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. ^[19] When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel. ^[20] I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark. ^[21] Behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows!’ If I tell the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you. Take them;’ then come, for there is peace to you and no danger, as Yahweh lives. ^[22] But if I say this to the boy, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away. ^[23] Concerning the matter which you and I have spoken of, behold, Yahweh is between you and me forever.” ^[24] So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon had come, the king sat himself down to eat food. ^[25] The king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty. ^[26] Nevertheless Saul didn’t say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean.” ^[27] On the next day after the new moon, the second day, David’s place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why didn’t the son of Jesse come to eat, either yesterday, or today?” ^[28] Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem. ^[29] He said, ‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king’s table.” ^[30] Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? ^[31] For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!” ^[32] Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” ^[33] Saul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. ^[34] So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him shamefully. ^[35] In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little boy with him. ^[36] He said to his boy, “Run, find now the arrows which I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. ^[37] When the boy had come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the boy, and said, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” ^[38] Jonathan cried after the boy, “Go fast! Hurry! Don’t delay!” Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. ^[39] But the boy didn’t know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. ^[40] Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy, and said to him, “Go, carry them to the city.” ^[41] As soon as the boy was gone, David arose out of the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept with one another, and David wept the most. ^[42] Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in Yahweh’s name, saying, ‘Yahweh is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’ ” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.

King James Version

^[1] And DavidH1732 fledH1272(QalImpf) from NaiothH5121 in Ramah,H7414 and cameH935(QalImpf) and saidH559(QalImpf) beforeH6440 Jonathan,H3083 What have I done?H6213(QalPerf) what [is] mine iniquity?H5771 and what [is] my sinH2403 beforeH6440 thy father,H1 that he seekethH1245(PielPtc) my life?H5315 ^[2] And he saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, God forbid;H2486 thou shalt not die:H4191(QalImpf) behold, my fatherH1 will doH6213(QalImpf/Qere) nothingH1697 either greatH1419 or small,H6996 but that he will shewH1540(QalImpf) it me: and why should my fatherH1 hideH5641(HiphImpf) this thingH1697 from me? it [is] not [so]. ^[3] And DavidH1732 swareH7650(NiphImpf) moreover, and said,H559(QalImpf) Thy fatherH1 certainlyH3045(QalInf) knowethH3045(QalPerf) that I have foundH4672(QalPerf) graceH2580 in thine eyes;H5869 and he saith,H559(QalImpf) Let not JonathanH3083 knowH3045(QalImpf) this, lest he be grieved:H6087(NiphImpf) but trulyH199 [as] the LordH3068 liveth,H2416 and [as] thy soulH5315 liveth,H2416 [there is] but a stepH6587 between me and death.H4194 ^[4] Then saidH559(QalImpf) JonathanH3083 unto David,H1732 Whatsoever thy soulH5315 desireth,H559(QalImpf) I will even doH6213(QalImpf) [it] for thee. ^[5] And DavidH1732 saidH559(QalImpf) unto Jonathan,H3083 Behold, to morrowH4279 [is] the new moon,H2320 and I should not failH3427(QalInf) to sitH3427(QalImpf) with the kingH4428 at meat:H398(QalInf) but let me go,H7971(PielPerf) that I may hideH5641(NiphPerf) myself in the fieldH7704 unto the thirdH7992 [day] at even.H6153 ^[6] If thy fatherH1 at allH6485(QalInf) missH6485(QalImpf) me, then say,H559(QalPerf) DavidH1732 earnestlyH7592(NiphInf) askedH7592(NiphPerf) [leave] of me that he might runH7323(QalInf) to BethlehemH1035 his city:H5892 for [there is] a yearlyH3117 sacrificeH2077 there for all the family.H4940 ^[7] If he sayH559(QalImpf) thus, [It is] well;H2896 thy servantH5650 shall have peace:H7965 but if he be veryH2734(QalInf) wroth,H2734(QalImpf) [then] be sureH3045(QalImpv) that evilH7451 is determinedH3615(QalPerf) by him. ^[8] Therefore thou shalt dealH6213(QalPerf) kindlyH2617 with thy servant;H5650 for thou hast broughtH935(HiphPerf) thy servantH5650 into a covenantH1285 of the LordH3068 with thee: notwithstanding, if there beH3426 in me iniquity,H5771 slayH4191(HiphImpv) me thyself; for why shouldest thou bringH935(HiphImpf) me to thy father?H1 ^[9] And JonathanH3083 said,H559(QalImpf) Far be it from thee:H2486 for if I knewH3045(QalImpf) certainlyH3045(QalInf) that evilH7451 were determinedH3615(QalPerf) by my fatherH1 to comeH935(QalInf) upon thee, then would not I tellH5046(HiphImpf) it thee? ^[10] Then saidH559(QalImpf) DavidH1732 to Jonathan,H3083 Who shall tellH5046(HiphImpf) me? or what [if] thy fatherH1 answerH6030(QalImpf) thee roughly?H7186 ^[11] And JonathanH3083 saidH559(QalImpf) unto David,H1732 Come,H3212(QalImpv) and let us go outH3318(QalImpf) into the field.H7704 And they went outH3318(QalImpf) bothH8147 of them into the field.H7704 ^[12] And JonathanH3083 saidH559(QalImpf) unto David,H1732 O LordH3068 GodH430 of Israel,H3478 when I have soundedH2713(QalImpf) my fatherH1 about to morrowH4279 any time,H6256 [or] the thirdH7992 [day], and, behold, [if there be] goodH2895(QalPerf) toward David,H1732 and I then sendH7971(QalImpf) not unto thee, and shewH1540(QalPerf) it thee; ^[13] The LordH3068 doH6213(QalImpf) soH3541 and much moreH3254(HiphImpf) to Jonathan:H3083 but if it pleaseH3190(HiphImpf) my fatherH1 [to do] thee evil,H7451 then I will shewH1540(QalPerf) it thee, and send thee away,H7971(PielPerf) that thou mayest goH1980(QalPerf) in peace:H7965 and the LordH3068 be with thee, as he hath been with my father.H1 ^[14] And thou shalt not only while yetH518 I liveH2416 shewH6213(QalImpf) me the kindnessH2617 of the Lord,H3068 that I dieH4191(QalImpf) not: ^[15] But [also] thou shalt not cut offH3772(HiphImpf) thy kindnessH2617 from my houseH1004 forH5704 ever:H5769 no, not when the LordH3068 hath cut offH3772(HiphInf) the enemiesH341(QalActPtc) of DavidH1732 every oneH376 from the faceH6440 of the earth.H127 ^[16] So JonathanH3083 madeH3772(QalImpf) [a covenant] with the houseH1004 of David,H1732 [saying], Let the LordH3068 even requireH1245(PielPerf) [it] at the handH3027 of David’sH1732 enemies.H341(QalActPtc) ^[17] And JonathanH3083 caused DavidH1732 to swearH7650(HiphInf) again,H3254(HiphImpf) because he lovedH160 him: for he lovedH157(QalPerf) him as he lovedH160 his own soul.H5315 ^[18] Then JonathanH3083 saidH559(QalImpf) to David,H1732 To morrowH4279 [is] the new moon:H2320 and thou shalt be missed,H6485(NiphPerf) because thy seatH4186 will be empty.H6485(NiphImpf) ^[19] And [when] thou hast stayed three days,H8027(PielPerf) [then] thou shalt go downH3381(QalImpf) quickly,H3966 and comeH935(QalPerf) to the placeH4725 where thou didst hideH5641(NiphPerf) thyself whenH3117 the businessH4639 was [in hand], and shalt remainH3427(QalPerf) byH681 the stoneH68 Ezel.H237 ^[20] And I will shootH3384(HiphImpf) threeH7969 arrowsH2671 on the sideH6654 [thereof], as though I shotH7971(PielInf) at a mark.H4307 ^[21] And, behold, I will sendH7971(QalImpf) a lad,H5288 [saying], Go,H3212(QalImpv) find outH4672(QalImpv) the arrows.H2671 If I expresslyH559(QalInf) sayH559(QalImpf) unto the lad,H5288 Behold, the arrowsH2671 [are] on this side of thee, takeH3947(QalImpv) them; then comeH935(QalImpv) thou: for [there is] peaceH7965 to thee, and no hurt;H1697 [as] the LordH3068 liveth.H2416 ^[22] But if I sayH559(QalImpf) thus unto the young man,H5958 Behold, the arrowsH2671 [are] beyondH1973 thee; go thy way:H3212(QalImpv) for the LordH3068 hath sent thee away.H7971(PielPerf) ^[23] And [as touching] the matterH1697 which thou and I have spokenH1696(PielPerf) of, behold, the LordH3068 [be] between thee and me forH5704 ever.H5769 ^[24] So DavidH1732 hidH5641(NiphImpf) himself in the field:H7704 and when the new moonH2320 was come, the kingH4428 sat him downH3427(QalImpf) to eatH398(QalInf) meat.H3899 ^[25] And the kingH4428 satH3427(QalImpf) upon his seat,H4186 as at other times,H6471 [even] upon a seatH4186 by the wall:H7023 and JonathanH3083 arose,H6965(QalImpf) and AbnerH74 satH3427(QalImpf) by Saul’sH7586 side,H6654 and David’sH1732 placeH4725 was empty.H6485(NiphImpf) ^[26] Nevertheless SaulH7586 spakeH1696(PielPerf) not any thingH3972 that day:H3117 for he thought,H559(QalPerf) Something hath befallenH4745 him, he [is] notH1115 clean;H2889 surely he [is] not clean.H2889 ^[27] And it came to pass on the morrow,H4283 [which was] the secondH8145 [day] of the month,H2320 that David’sH1732 placeH4725 was empty:H6485(NiphImpf) and SaulH7586 saidH559(QalImpf) unto JonathanH3083 his son,H1121 Wherefore comethH935(QalPerf) not the sonH1121 of JesseH3448 to meat,H3899 neither yesterday,H8543 nor to day?H3117 ^[28] And JonathanH3083 answeredH6030(QalImpf) Saul,H7586 DavidH1732 earnestlyH7592(NiphInf) askedH7592(NiphPerf) [leave] of meH5978 [to go] to Bethlehem:H1035 ^[29] And he said,H559(QalImpf) Let me go,H7971(PielImpv) I pray thee; for our familyH4940 hath a sacrificeH2077 in the city;H5892 and my brother,H251 he hath commandedH6680(PielPerf) me [to be there]: and now, if I have foundH4672(QalPerf) favourH2580 in thine eyes,H5869 let me get away,H4422(NiphImpf) I pray thee, and seeH7200(QalImpf) my brethren.H251 Therefore he comethH935(QalPerf) not unto the king’sH4428 table.H7979 ^[30] Then Saul’sH7586 angerH639 was kindledH2734(QalImpf) against Jonathan,H3083 and he saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, Thou sonH1121 of the perverseH5753(NiphPtc) rebelliousH4780 [woman], do not I knowH3045(QalPerf) that thou hast chosenH977(QalActPtc) the sonH1121 of JesseH3448 to thine own confusion,H1322 and unto the confusionH1322 of thy mother’sH517 nakedness?H6172 ^[31] For as long asH3117 the sonH1121 of JesseH3448 livethH2425(QalPerf) upon the ground,H127 thou shalt not be established,H3559(NiphImpf) nor thy kingdom.H4438 Wherefore now sendH7971(QalImpv) and fetchH3947(QalImpv) him unto me, for he shall surely die.H1121 ^[32] And JonathanH3083 answeredH6030(QalImpf) SaulH7586 his father,H1 and saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain?H4191(HophImpf) what hath he done?H6213(QalPerf) ^[33] And SaulH7586 castH2904(HiphImpf) a javelinH2595 at him to smiteH5221(HiphInf) him: whereby JonathanH3083 knewH3045(QalImpf) that it was determinedH3617 of his fatherH1 to slayH4191(HiphInf) David.H1732 ^[34] So JonathanH3083 aroseH6965(QalImpf) from the tableH7979 in fierceH2750 anger,H639 and did eatH398(QalPerf) no meatH3899 the secondH8145 dayH3117 of the month:H2320 for he was grievedH6087(NiphPerf) for David,H1732 because his fatherH1 had done him shame.H3637(HiphPerf) ^[35] And it came to pass in the morning,H1242 that JonathanH3083 went outH3318(QalImpf) into the fieldH7704 at the time appointedH4150 with David,H1732 and a littleH6996 ladH5288 with him. ^[36] And he saidH559(QalImpf) unto his lad,H5288 Run,H7323(QalImpv) find outH4672(QalImpv) now the arrowsH2671 which I shoot.H3384(HiphPtc) [And] as the ladH5288 ran,H7323(QalPtc) he shotH3384(QalPerf) an arrowH2678 beyondH5674(HiphInf) him. ^[37] And when the ladH5288 was comeH935(QalImpf) to the placeH4725 of the arrowH2678 which JonathanH3083 had shot,H3384(QalPerf) JonathanH3083 criedH7121(QalImpf) afterH310 the lad,H5288 and said,H559(QalImpf) [Is] not the arrowH2678 beyondH1973 thee? ^[38] And JonathanH3083 criedH7121(QalImpf) afterH310 the lad,H5288 Make speed,H4120 haste,H2363(QalImpv) stayH5975(QalImpf) not. And Jonathan’sH3083 ladH5288 gathered upH3950(PielImpf) the arrows,H2671(Qere) and cameH935(QalImpf) to his master.H113 ^[39] But the ladH5288 knewH3045(QalPerf) not any thing:H3972 only JonathanH3083 and DavidH1732 knewH3045(QalPerf) the matter.H1697 ^[40] And JonathanH3083 gaveH5414(QalImpf) his artilleryH3627 unto his lad,H5288 and saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, Go,H3212(QalImpv) carryH935(HiphImpv) [them] to the city.H5892 ^[41] [And] as soon as the ladH5288 was gone,H935(QalActPtc) DavidH1732 aroseH6965(QalPerf) out of [a place] towardH681 the south,H5045 and fellH5307(QalImpf) on his faceH639 to the ground,H776 and bowedH7812(HithImpf) himself threeH7969 times:H6471 and they kissedH5401(QalImpf) oneH376 another,H7453 and weptH1058(QalImpf) oneH376 with another,H7453 until DavidH1732 exceeded.H1431(HiphPerf) ^[42] And JonathanH3083 saidH559(QalImpf) to David,H1732 GoH3212(QalImpv) in peace,H7965 forasmuch as we have swornH7650(NiphPerf) bothH8147 of us in the nameH8034 of the Lord,H3068 saying,H559(QalInf) The LordH3068 be between me and thee, and between my seedH2233 and thy seedH2233 forH5704 ever.H5769 And he aroseH6965(QalImpf) and departed:H3212(QalImpf) and JonathanH3083 wentH935(QalActPtc) into the city.H5892

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