1 Samuel 19:3

KJV

And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou [art], and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will go out {H3318} and stand {H5975} beside {H3027} my father {H1} in the field {H7704} where thou art, and I will commune {H1696} with my father {H1} of thee; and what {H4100} I see {H7200}, that I will tell {H5046} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will go out and stand next to my father in the countryside where you're hiding. I will talk with my father about you; and if I learn anything, I'll tell you."

Berean Standard Bible

I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, so I can ask about you. And if I find out anything, I will tell you.”

American Standard Version

and I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and if I see aught, I will tell thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 19:3 captures a pivotal moment of profound loyalty and courageous intercession by Jonathan on behalf of his dear friend, David. Despite the immense personal peril and the direct defiance of his father King Saul's murderous decree, Jonathan strategically plans to confront Saul, advocate for David's innocence, and report back the outcome, demonstrating the extraordinary depth of their covenant bond and Jonathan's unwavering commitment to justice and friendship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within a dramatic narrative of escalating conflict between King Saul and David. Immediately preceding it, Saul, consumed by jealousy, explicitly commands his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David ([1 Samuel 19:1](/1_samuel/19-1 "1 Samuel 19:1 - Saul's Command to Kill David")). Jonathan, having already established a deep covenant friendship with David ([1 Samuel 18:1-4](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1-4 - Jonathan's Covenant with David")), warns David to hide and then devises the plan articulated in this verse. The subsequent verses ([1 Samuel 19:4-7](/1_samuel/19-4 "1 Samuel 19:4-7 - Jonathan's Successful Intercession")) detail Jonathan's successful intercession, where he persuades Saul to relent, at least temporarily, leading to David's return. This entire sequence highlights Jonathan's crucial role as a protector and mediator in David's life, demonstrating the power of loyal friendship amidst intense persecution.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the early monarchy of Israel, a period marked by the transition of power from Saul to David, orchestrated by divine decree. Kings in this era held immense authority, and a direct challenge to a royal command, especially from a son, was fraught with extreme danger. Saul's behavior reflects the characteristics of a king increasingly tormented by an evil spirit and consumed by paranoia, viewing David's popularity and success ([1 Samuel 18:7-9](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7-9 - Saul's Jealousy of David")) as a direct threat to his dynasty. The "field" mentioned in the verse would have been a common, relatively private setting outside the immediate royal court, offering a more suitable environment for a sensitive and potentially confrontational conversation, away from the prying ears of Saul's servants who were commanded to kill David.

* **Key Themes:** Jonathan's actions in this verse are rich with several significant themes. Foremost is the theme of **unwavering loyalty and covenant friendship**, as Jonathan prioritizes his bond with David over his familial duty to his father and his own dynastic prospects. This deep friendship, initiated in [1 Samuel 18:1](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1 - The Soul of Jonathan Knit with David"), stands in stark contrast to Saul's irrational hatred. Another prominent theme is **courageous intercession and advocacy**. Jonathan bravely steps into the dangerous role of mediator, risking his life to speak truth to power and defend the innocent. His willingness to "commune" with his father on David's behalf exemplifies true advocacy. Finally, the verse underscores **divine providence and protection**, as Jonathan becomes a key instrument in God's ongoing preservation of David, who is God's chosen king. Even amidst Saul's relentless persecution, God ensures David's survival through various means, including the faithfulness of friends like Jonathan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commune (Hebrew, _dabar_):** The KJV translates the Hebrew verb דָּבַר (_dabar_) as "commune." While _dabar_ broadly means "to speak" or "to talk," in this context, it implies a serious, deliberate, and often weighty conversation. It's not a casual chat but a purposeful engagement, suggesting Jonathan's intent to reason, persuade, and make a strong case for David's innocence and value. He aims to engage Saul's mind and heart, not just his ears.
* **See (Hebrew, _ra'ah_):** The Hebrew verb רָאָה (_ra'ah_), translated "see," goes beyond mere physical sight. It encompasses perceiving, discerning, understanding, and experiencing. Jonathan intends to observe not just Saul's words but his true disposition, the depth of his anger, and whether his heart might be swayed. This "seeing" is about gaining critical intelligence regarding Saul's true intentions and state of mind.
* **Tell (Hebrew, _nagad_):** The Hebrew verb נָגַד (_nagad_), translated "tell," means "to declare," "to report," or "to make known." It implies conveying accurate, often vital, information. Jonathan's promise to "tell thee" emphasizes his commitment to transparency and providing David with reliable intelligence, which is crucial for David's safety and strategic decisions in the face of Saul's unpredictable hostility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou [art],"**: Jonathan's strategic plan begins with a physical action. By going "out" to the "field," he chooses a setting that offers a degree of privacy away from the court, yet is public enough not to arouse immediate suspicion. His intention to stand "beside my father" indicates a posture of respect and proximity, necessary for a direct and personal conversation. The phrase "where thou [art]" subtly implies David's hidden presence nearby, underscoring Jonathan's solidarity with David even in his concealment.
* **"and I will commune with my father of thee;"**: This clause reveals the core purpose of Jonathan's dangerous encounter. He commits to initiating a serious, deliberate conversation with Saul specifically "of thee" – concerning David. This is an act of direct advocacy, where Jonathan intends to present David's case, defend his character, and attempt to reason with Saul's irrational anger and murderous intent. It is a courageous act of intercession.
* **"and what I see, that I will tell thee."**: This final clause highlights Jonathan's commitment to transparency and David's safety. Jonathan promises to act as a reliable informant, relaying precisely what he discerns from his conversation with Saul – not just words, but Saul's true disposition and any potential threats or changes in his attitude. This intelligence is vital for David to make informed decisions about his next steps and continued safety.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is evident in the fact that the king's own son, the heir apparent, is actively working against his father's murderous decree to protect the very man destined to replace him on the throne. This highlights the profound **contrast** between Saul's irrational hatred and Jonathan's selfless, covenantal love for David. Jonathan's plan also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing tension and danger David will face from Saul, but also at the consistent, divinely orchestrated protection David will receive, often through unexpected human agents. The "field" can be seen as a **symbol** of both vulnerability and opportunity – a place where David is exposed, yet also where a crucial, life-saving conversation can occur.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonathan's actions in 1 Samuel 19:3 are a profound testament to the power of loyal friendship and courageous intercession, reflecting deeper theological truths about God's providence and the nature of selfless love. Jonathan, despite being Saul's son and the logical heir to the throne, willingly jeopardizes his own safety and dynastic future to protect David, whom he recognizes as God's chosen one. This mirrors the divine principle of self-sacrificial love and advocacy for the innocent. Jonathan's willingness to stand between an enraged authority and an unjustly accused friend serves as a powerful example for believers to speak truth to power and advocate for justice, even when it comes at a personal cost. His actions demonstrate how God often uses faithful human agents to accomplish His purposes and protect His chosen ones, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Own Love Toward Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonathan's bold and selfless act in 1 Samuel 19:3 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider the depth of our own loyalties and the courage we are willing to exhibit for those we claim to love, especially when they are vulnerable or unjustly treated. In a world often characterized by self-preservation, Jonathan's willingness to risk his own standing and safety to advocate for David stands as a powerful call to courageous intercession. It prompts us to ask ourselves: Are we willing to speak up for the marginalized, the falsely accused, or those facing persecution, even when it's uncomfortable or risky? Furthermore, this passage underscores the immense value of cultivating true, covenantal friendships – relationships built on loyalty, trust, and a willingness to stand by one another through adversity. It reminds us that God often works through such faithful relationships to provide protection and guidance in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we emulate Jonathan's courage in advocating for others who are unjustly treated or in danger, even when it involves personal risk?**
* **What does Jonathan's willingness to risk his own safety and dynastic future teach us about the nature of true, self-sacrificial friendship?**
* **In what situations in our own lives might we be called to "commune" with someone in authority on behalf of another, seeking to bring about justice or reconciliation?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's provision and protection, knowing that He can use unexpected means and faithful individuals to preserve His people?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jonathan risk his life for David when David was a threat to his own claim to the throne?**

Answer: Jonathan's actions stemmed from a profound and unique covenant friendship with David, established in [1 Samuel 18:1-4](/1_samuel/18-1 "1 Samuel 18:1-4 - Jonathan's Covenant with David"). This bond was not merely emotional but spiritual, recognizing David as God's chosen king. Jonathan understood that God's favor was upon David, and he willingly submitted to God's plan, even if it meant relinquishing his own claim to the throne. His loyalty to David transcended personal ambition and familial obligation, rooted in a deep integrity and faith in God's sovereignty. He loved David as his own soul and saw God's hand on him ([1 Samuel 23:17](/1_samuel/23-17 "1 Samuel 23:17 - Jonathan Encourages David")).

**Was King Saul aware of Jonathan's loyalty to David, and how did he react?**

Answer: Yes, King Saul was acutely aware of Jonathan's loyalty to David and reacted with intense anger and frustration. Saul viewed Jonathan's friendship with David as a direct act of disloyalty to himself and a betrayal of the family's dynastic interests. In [1 Samuel 20:30-31](/1_samuel/20-30 "1 Samuel 20:30-31 - Saul's Anger at Jonathan"), Saul openly rebukes Jonathan, accusing him of shaming his mother and declaring that David must die for Jonathan's kingdom to be established. Saul's rage was so great that he even threw a spear at Jonathan, demonstrating the depth of his paranoia and the danger Jonathan faced by aligning with David.

**Did Jonathan's intercession ultimately succeed in protecting David from Saul?**

Answer: Jonathan's intercession in [1 Samuel 19:4-7](/1_samuel/19-4 "1 Samuel 19:4-7 - Jonathan's Successful Intercession") was temporarily successful. Jonathan eloquently argued David's case, reminding Saul of David's past faithful service and how he risked his life for Israel. Saul was persuaded and swore an oath that David would not be killed, and David returned to Saul's presence. However, Saul's paranoia and evil spirit soon returned, and he again sought to kill David ([1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul Again Tries to Kill David")). This shows that while Jonathan's courageous act provided a crucial reprieve, Saul's hardened heart ultimately remained resistant to lasting change, necessitating David's continued flight and God's ongoing miraculous protection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonathan's selfless act of intercession in 1 Samuel 19:3 serves as a beautiful and powerful Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate intercession of Jesus Christ. Just as Jonathan, the king's son and heir, willingly stepped into the dangerous breach between his enraged father and his condemned friend David, so too does Christ, the Son of God and rightful heir of all things, stand as our mediator. Jonathan risked his own life and dynastic claim to advocate for David; similarly, Jesus, out of infinite love, laid down His life to reconcile us, who were enemies of God, back to the Father ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciled by Christ's Death")). Jonathan's commitment to "commune" with his father on David's behalf foreshadows Christ's role as our great High Priest, who "always lives to intercede" for us before God ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Permanent Priesthood and Intercession")). He is our advocate with the Father, pleading our case not based on our righteousness, but on His perfect sacrifice ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")). Jonathan's willingness to give up his own crown for David's sake strikingly prefigures Christ's voluntary humiliation and self-emptying, taking the form of a servant, to secure our eternal inheritance and establish His everlasting kingdom ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")). Thus, Jonathan's loyalty and intercession for David, the anointed king, reflect the profound and saving work of Christ, our true King and faithful Intercessor.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 20:9

¶ 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?

1 Samuel 20:13

The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father [to do] thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.