1 Samuel 20:8 - Forerunner Commentary

1 Samuel 20:8

6 If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked permission of me that he might run over ^ato Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’

7 ^aIf he says thus: ‘It is well,’ your servant will be safe. But if he is very angry, be sure that ^bevil is determined by him.

8 Therefore you shall ^adeal kindly with your servant, for ^byou have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. Nevertheless, ^cif there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?”

9 But Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I knew certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you?”

10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me, or what if your father answers you roughly?”

11 And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out into the field.

12 Then Jonathan said to David: “The Lord God of Israel is witness! When I have¹ sounded out my father sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed there is good toward David, and I do not send to you and tell you,

13 may ^athe Lord do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And ^bthe Lord be with you as He has ^cbeen with my father.

14 And you shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live, that I may not die;

15 but ^ayou shall not cut off your kindness from my² house forever, no, not when the Lord has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the¹ house of David, saying, ^a“Let the Lord require it at the hand of David’s enemies.”

17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; ^afor he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18 Then Jonathan said to David, ^a“Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

19 And when you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to ^athe place where you hid on the day of the deed; and remain by the stone Ezel.

Verse Comparison: 1 Samuel 20:8

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American Standard Version
Therefore deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of Jehovah with thee: but if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

Amplified® Bible
Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought [me] into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father?

Contemporary English Version
Be kind to me. After all, it was your idea to promise the LORD that we would always be loyal friends. If I've done anything wrong, kill me yourself, but don't hand me over to your father.

Darby English Version
Deal kindly then with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of Jehovah with thee; but if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

Good News Bible
Please do me this favor, and keep the sacred promise you made to me. But if I'm guilty, kill me yourself ! Why take me to your father to be killed?"

King James Version
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

New American Standard Bible
"Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is iniquity in me, put me to death yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?"

New International Version
As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the LORD. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?"

New King James Version
Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. Nevertheless, if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?”

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if you find iniquity in me, put me to death yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?"

Revised Standard Version
Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a sacred covenant with you. But if there is guilt in me, slay me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father?"

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast done kindness, to thy servant, for into a covenant of Jehovah thou hast brought thy servant with thee; -- and if there is in me iniquity, put thou me to death; and unto thy father, why is this -- thou dost bring me in?'

New English Translation
You must be loyal¹ to your servant, for you have made a covenant with your servant in the Lord’s name.² If I am guilty,³ you yourself kill me! Why bother taking me to your father?”

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