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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, &#8220May the LORD call David&#8217s enemies to account.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the LORD destroy all your enemies!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan made <i>a covenant</i> with the house of David, <i>saying</i>, Let the LORD even require <i>it</i> at the hand of David's enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Jonathan made <i>a covenant</i> with the house of David, <i>saying,</i> “Let the LORD require <i>it</i> at the hand of David’s enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a <i>covenant</i> with the house of David, <i>saying,</i> “May the LORD demand <i>it</i> from the hands of David’s enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, &#8220May the LORD require it at the hands of David&#8217s enemies.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Jonathan made a <i>covenant</i> with the house of David, <i>saying</i>, “May the LORD require <i>it</i> at the hands of David’s enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Jonathan cut a <i>covenant</i> with the house of David, <i>saying</i>, “May Yahweh require <i>it</i> at the hands of David’s enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a <i>covenant</i> 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].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, &#8220May the LORD hold David&#8217s enemies accountable.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David's enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jonathan and David made an agreement that even David's descendants would have to keep. Then Jonathan said, "I pray that the LORD will take revenge on your descendants if they break our promise." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And the LORD shall require it at the hand of David's enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />At that time, if Jonathan's name is cut off from David's family, then may the LORD punish David's house."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />may our promise to each other still be unbroken. If it is broken, the LORD will punish you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David: "May the LORD punish any violation of this covenant by the hand of David's enemies."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and called David's enemies to account." So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />if the name of Jonathan be cut off from the house of David, then may the LORD require it at the hand of the enemies of David."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with David’s house, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />So Jonathan cuts [a covenant] with the house of David, and YHWH has sought [it] from the hand of the enemies of David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jonathan covenanteth with the house of David, and Jehovah hath sought it from the hand of the enemies of David;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jonathan will cut out with the house of David, and Jehovah sought out from the hand of David's enemies.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Jonathan therefore made a covenant with the house of David: and the Lord required it at the hands of David's enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, Jonathan formed a covenant with the house of David. And the Lord required it from the hands of the enemies of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the name of Jonathan must never be cut off from the family of David, or the LORD will make you answer for it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD seek out the enemies of David.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So Jonathan's house shall flourish with the house of David; and may the LORD take vengeance on David's enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Jonathan shall rise with that of the house of David, and LORD JEHOVAH shall be avenged upon the enemies of David!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David: 'The LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>should it happen</i> that the name of Jonathan be discovered by the house of David, then let the Lord seek out the enemies of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/20-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=5984" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/20.htm">Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3083.htm" title="3083: yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān (N-proper-ms) -- From Yhovah and nathan; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites.">So Jonathan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: way·yiḵ·rōṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">made a covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">of David, saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">“May the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yaḏ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">hold</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: ū·ḇiq·qêš (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">accountable.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3</a></span><br />Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/9-1.htm">2 Samuel 9:1</a></span><br />Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-7.htm">2 Samuel 21:7</a></span><br />Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-18.htm">1 Samuel 23:18</a></span><br />So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-26.htm">2 Samuel 1:26</a></span><br />I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-21.htm">1 Samuel 24:21-22</a></span><br />So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">2 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/9-7.htm">2 Samuel 9:7</a></span><br />“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1-2</a></span><br />During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-7.htm">1 Kings 2:7</a></span><br />But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-44.htm">Genesis 31:44</a></span><br />Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-27.htm">Genesis 21:27</a></span><br />So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-52.htm">Genesis 31:52</a></span><br />This mound is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this mound to harm you, and you will not go past this mound and pillar to harm me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-28.htm">Genesis 26:28</a></span><br />“We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,” they replied. “We recommend that there should now be an oath between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-53.htm">Genesis 31:53</a></span><br />May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.</p><p class="hdg">made [heb] cut</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-3.htm">1 Samuel 18:3</a></b></br> Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18</a></b></br> In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:</p><p class="hdg">Let the Lord</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm">1 Samuel 25:22</a></b></br> So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that <i>pertain</i> to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/31-2.htm">1 Samuel 31:2</a></b></br> And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/4-7.htm">2 Samuel 4:7,8</a></b></br> For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/19-18.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-8.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">David's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-13.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/joshua/22-23.htm">Require</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-4.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">Vengeance</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-18.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-25.htm">David's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-19.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-15.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">Jonathan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-13.htm">Require</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-22.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-48.htm">Vengeance</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/20-1.htm">David consults with Jonathan for his safety</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/20-11.htm">Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/20-18.htm">Jonathan's token to David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/20-23.htm">Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/20-35.htm">Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This covenant signifies a formal and binding agreement, reflecting the seriousness of their commitment to each other. In the ancient Near East, covenants were solemn agreements often sealed with rituals or oaths. This particular covenant is significant as it extends beyond Jonathan and David to include their descendants, indicating a long-term alliance. Theologically, this covenant prefigures the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ, emphasizing loyalty, love, and divine promise.<p><b>saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”</b><br>Jonathan invokes the name of the LORD, the covenant God of Israel, to ensure divine justice against David's enemies. This reflects Jonathan's recognition of David's anointed future as king and his own submission to God's will, despite his father Saul's opposition. The invocation of divine accountability underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and justice. Biblically, this echoes the principle found in <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a>, where believers are reminded that vengeance belongs to the Lord. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over His enemies, as seen in <a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-16</a>, where Jesus is depicted as the righteous judge and warrior.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jonathan.htm">Jonathan</a></b><br>The son of King Saul and a close friend of David. Known for his loyalty and faithfulness, Jonathan plays a crucial role in protecting David from Saul's wrath.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel. At this point in the account, David is fleeing from King Saul, who seeks to kill him out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/house_of_david.htm">House of David</a></b><br>Refers to David's family and descendants. This covenant signifies a long-term commitment and protection for David's lineage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>A solemn agreement or promise, often made before God. In this context, it is a binding agreement between Jonathan and David, reflecting deep trust and commitment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_david.htm">Enemies of David</a></b><br>Primarily refers to King Saul and those who oppose David's God-ordained future as king. Jonathan's prayer is for divine justice against those who seek to harm David.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_covenant_relationships.htm">The Power of Covenant Relationships</a></b><br>Covenant relationships, like that of Jonathan and David, are built on trust, loyalty, and faithfulness. In our lives, we should seek to build relationships that honor God and reflect His love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice_and_accountability.htm">Divine Justice and Accountability</a></b><br>Jonathan's prayer for God to hold David's enemies accountable reminds us of the importance of seeking God's justice rather than taking matters into our own hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_friendship.htm">Faithfulness in Friendship</a></b><br>Jonathan's unwavering support for David, even at personal risk, exemplifies true friendship. We are called to be faithful friends, supporting and encouraging one another in our walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_generational_blessings.htm">Legacy and Generational Blessings</a></b><br>The covenant between Jonathan and David extends beyond their lifetimes, impacting future generations. Our actions and commitments today can have lasting effects on those who come after us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jonathan's_covenant_with_david_inconsistent.htm">Does the nature of Jonathan’s covenant with David in 1 Samuel 20:16 present any inconsistencies with later depictions of Israelite covenants? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_david_help_saul's_kin_despite_past.htm">In 2 Samuel 9:3, how do we reconcile David’s swift willingness to help Saul’s descendant with the longstanding hostilities described elsewhere in 1 and 2 Samuel? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_1_chr_16_and_2_sam_6_differ.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">So Jonathan made a covenant.</span>--It is not necessary to supply (as in the English Version) "saying," but it is better to understand this verse as a remark interposed in the dialogue by the narrator, and to translate the Hebrew literally, "So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, and Jehovah required it at the hand of David's enemies."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - This verse also is very difficult, but it is probably to be taken as an insertion of the narrator: "So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David" - that is, so as to bind his descendants - "saying, Let Jehovah require it at the hand of David's enemies." These last words probably are a euphemism, and mean David himself. So Rashi explains the words. The courtesy of an Oriental forbade his saying, May Jehovah punish David for it, but he prays that God would requite it on some one. But if the Divine anger visits even David's enemies for it, how much more the guilty perjurer himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/20-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Jonathan</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3083.htm">Strong's 3083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made a covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּכְרֹ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·rōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of David, saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“May the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hold</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיַּ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(mî·yaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David’s</span><br /><span class="heb">דָוִֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">enemies</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹיְבֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yə·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">accountable.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבִקֵּ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇiq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/20-16.htm">1 Samuel 20:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/20-16.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 20:16 So Jonathan made a covenant (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 20:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 20:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 20:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 20:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>