1 Samuel 20:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Because as long as the son of Yishai lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be secure. Now send and bring him here to me - he deserves to die."

Berean Standard Bible:

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

American Standard Version:

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For as long as^{H3117} the son^{H1121} of Jesse^{H3448} liveth^{H2425} upon the ground^{H127}, thou shalt not be established^{H3559}, nor thy kingdom^{H4438}. Wherefore now send^{H7971} and fetch^{H3947} him unto me, for he shall surely die^{{H1121}{H4194}}.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 20:31

1 Samuel 20:31 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between King Saul and his eventual successor, David, the son of Jesse. The historical context of this verse is set during the gradual transition of power from the house of Saul to the house of David, which will eventually lead to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty.

In this verse, Saul explicitly reveals his deep-seated fear and jealousy of David, recognizing that as long as David is alive, Saul's own dynasty and his son Jonathan's right to the throne are threatened. The theme of divine favor shifting from Saul to David is evident, as Saul acknowledges that David's existence prevents his own lineage from being securely established. Saul's direct command to Jonathan, "For he shall surely die," underscores the king's desperate resolve to maintain his reign by eliminating the perceived threat that David represents.

This verse reflects the broader narrative of 1 Samuel, which includes the anointing of David by the prophet Samuel, David's rise to fame after defeating Goliath, and the growing tension between Saul's fear and David's loyalty to both Saul and Jonathan. The animosity and insecurity expressed by Saul in this verse drive the escalating conflict that leads to Saul's eventual downfall and David's ascension to the throne, a transition that is central to the unfolding story of Israel's monarchy.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3448
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשַׁי
   Transliteration: Yishay
   Pronunciation: yee-shah'-ee
   Description: by Aramaic אִישַׁי; from the same as יֵשׁ; extant; Jishai, David's father; Jesse.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2425
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָיַי
   Transliteration: châyay
   Pronunciation: khaw-yah'-ee
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָיָה); to live; causatively to revive; live, save life.
   
5. Strong's Number: H127
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼădâmâh
   Pronunciation: ad-aw-maw'
   Description: from אָדַם; soil (from its general redness); country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3559
   There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוּן
   Transliteration: kûwn
   Pronunciation: koon
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4438
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַלְכוּת
   Transliteration: malkûwth
   Pronunciation: mal-kooth'
   Description: or מַלְכֻת; or (in plural) מַלְכֻיָּה; from מָלַךְ; a rule; concretely, a dominion; empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
9. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4194
    There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָוֶת
    Transliteration: mâveth
    Pronunciation: maw'-veth
    Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).