King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Y'honatan said, "Heaven forbid! If I ever were to learn that my father had definitely decided to do you harm, wouldn't I tell you?"
Berean Standard Bible:
“Never!” Jonathan replied. “If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you?”
American Standard Version:
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Jonathan{H3083} said{H559}, Far be it from thee{H2486}: for if I knew{H3045} certainly{H3045} that evil{H7451} were determined{H3615} by my father{H1} to come{H935} upon thee, then would not I tell{H5046} it thee?
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 20:42
- And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
1 Samuel 20:38
- And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
1 Samuel 19:2
- But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret [place], and hide thyself:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 20:9
1 Samuel 20:9 is part of a narrative that captures a deep friendship between Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, the future king of Israel. The historical context of this verse is set during a period of transition and turmoil in Israel's monarchy. King Saul, the first king of Israel, had become increasingly jealous and fearful of David, whom God had anointed to be the next king through the prophet Samuel. Saul's jealousy had turned into a murderous obsession, and he sought to kill David to secure his own dynasty.
In this verse, Jonathan is reassuring David of his loyalty and commitment to their friendship, despite the political and familial pressures he faced. Jonathan's words, "Far be it from thee," express his shock and disapproval at the mere suggestion that he would withhold crucial information from David regarding his father's intentions. Jonathan's character is highlighted here as he places his friendship and righteousness above royal obligations and family ties. He promises to inform David of any harm planned by his father, demonstrating his integrity and the depth of his bond with David.
The themes present in this verse include loyalty, friendship, and the tension between personal relationships and political duties. It also touches on the complexity of family dynamics within a royal court, where allegiances can be tested by power struggles. Jonathan's response to David reflects the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in positions of power and the importance of maintaining one's moral compass in such circumstances. This moment in the narrative underscores the biblical emphasis on faithfulness and truth, as Jonathan chooses to stand with David against the unjust intentions of his father, King Saul.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3083
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוֹנָתָן
Transliteration: Yᵉhôwnâthân
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-naw-thawn'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and נָתַן; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites; Jonathan. Compare יוֹנָתָן. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H2486
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלִילָה
Transliteration: châlîylâh
Pronunciation: khaw-lee'-law
Description: or חָלִלָה; a directive from חָלַל; literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!; be far, ([idiom] God) forbid. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). - Strong's Number: H3615
There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּלָה
Transliteration: kâlâh
Pronunciation: kaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H5046
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַד
Transliteration: nâgad
Pronunciation: naw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter.