1 Samuel 20:3

KJV

And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, [there is] but a step between me and death.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} sware {H7650} moreover, and said {H559}, Thy father {H1} certainly {H3045} knoweth {H3045} that I have found {H4672} grace {H2580} in thine eyes {H5869}; and he saith {H559}, Let not Jonathan {H3083} know {H3045} this, lest he be grieved {H6087}: but truly {H199} as the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, and as thy soul {H5315} liveth {H2416}, there is but a step {H6587} between me and death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In response David swore, "Your father knows very well that you have made me your friend. This is why he will say, 'Y'honatan must not know this, or he will be unhappy.'As truly as ADONAI lives, and as truly as you are alive, there is only a step between me and death."

Berean Standard Bible

But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

American Standard Version

And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father knoweth well that I have found favor in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:3 captures David's desperate and urgent plea to Jonathan, his closest friend and King Saul's son, revealing the immediate and profound danger he faced from the reigning monarch. Through a solemn, binding oath, David impresses upon Jonathan that his father, Saul, is fully aware of Jonathan's deep affection and loyalty towards David, and has deliberately concealed his murderous intentions from his own son to avoid Jonathan's grief or intervention. David's stark declaration, "there is but a step between me and death," powerfully conveys his conviction that Saul is actively seeking his life, underscoring the constant, life-threatening situation and the precariousness of his very existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical and emotionally charged point in the narrative arc of David's rise and Saul's decline, immediately following Saul's increasingly violent and irrational attempts on David's life, detailed in [1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul's Escalating Attempts on David's Life"). David has already fled Saul's presence, and this intense conversation with Jonathan marks a pivotal moment where David seeks not just confirmation of Saul's animosity, but also a definitive commitment of help from his loyal friend. The preceding chapters have meticulously documented Saul's escalating jealousy, paranoia, and spiritual decline, fueled by David's military successes and the people's adoration, famously captured in the women's song in [1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Women's Song Praising David"). Despite Jonathan's unwavering loyalty to David, demonstrated by his courageous intercession for David with his father in [1 Samuel 19:1-7](/1_samuel/19-1-7 "1 Samuel 19:1-7 - Jonathan Intercedes for David's Life"), David understands that Jonathan, out of filial piety or hopeful denial, might still be reluctant to accept the full depth of Saul's murderous intent. This verse, therefore, serves as David's forceful attempt to shatter any remaining illusions, setting the stage for the strategic plan Jonathan devises to ascertain Saul's true intentions, ultimately leading to their poignant farewell and the renewal of their covenant in [1 Samuel 20](/1_samuel/20 "1 Samuel 20 - David and Jonathan's Enduring Covenant").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, kingship was a divinely sanctioned institution, yet often fraught with political intrigue, power struggles, and dynastic anxieties, particularly during periods of transition or when a reigning monarch felt threatened by a popular figure. Saul's unchecked jealousy and the fear of losing his throne to David, who had been secretly anointed by Samuel in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - Samuel Anoints David as King"), drove his irrational and increasingly violent pursuit. The cultural significance of solemn oaths, such as David's invocation, "as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth," cannot be overstated in this context. Such oaths were binding declarations, appealing to the very life of God and the addressee's life, signifying the absolute truthfulness and gravity of the speaker's words. They were not mere figures of speech but sacred commitments, understood to carry severe divine consequences if violated, making David's statement undeniably weighty. Furthermore, the concept of covenant friendship, exemplified by David and Jonathan's bond, was a powerful social institution, often involving mutual protection and loyalty extending to future generations, as first established in [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - David and Jonathan's Covenant of Friendship"). This deep bond provides the backdrop for the extraordinary risks Jonathan takes for David.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout the books of [1 and 2 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel - The Rise of David and Fall of Saul"). Foremost is the theme of **imminent danger and divine preservation**, as David's life is literally hanging by the slenderest thread, yet God's protective hand is subtly but surely evident in his continued survival despite Saul's relentless pursuit, foreshadowing David's eventual ascent to the throne as God's chosen king. The verse also highlights the **corrosive nature of unchecked jealousy and paranoia**, vividly portrayed in Saul's tragic descent from a divinely appointed king to a vengeful, deceitful tyrant, whose insidious actions are exposed by David's direct and desperate words. Crucially, it underscores the **profound depth and sacrificial nature of David and Jonathan's friendship**, a bond of loyalty that transcends political allegiance, familial ties, and personal risk, demonstrating a love that is willing to risk everything for the beloved friend, even against a father's wrath. Finally, the use of a **solemn oath** emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the absolute truthfulness of David's desperate communication, appealing to the highest authorities—God and Jonathan's very life—to convey the urgency of his plight and break through Jonathan's denial.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grace (חֵן, _chên'_):** This Hebrew word, derived from a root meaning "to be gracious," signifies favor, kindness, or acceptance. When David states, "I have found grace in thine eyes," he is asserting that Jonathan has consistently shown him deep favor, acceptance, and unmerited kindness. This "grace" is precisely why Saul seeks to conceal his murderous intentions from Jonathan, knowing that Jonathan's profound loyalty to David would cause him immense grief and likely lead him to intervene. It highlights the stark contrast between the loving favor David received from Jonathan and the escalating malice from Saul.
* **Sware (שָׁבַע, _shâbaʻ'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to be complete" or "to seven oneself," this verb signifies "to swear" or "to take an oath." David's act of swearing indicates a solemn, binding declaration, often invoking a divine witness or implying severe consequences for falsehood. This formal, weighty affirmation is designed to impress upon Jonathan the absolute truthfulness and gravity of David's statement, transforming his words from a mere assertion into an undeniable, sacred reality.
* **Step (פֶּסַע, _pesaʻ'_):** This noun literally means "a stride" or "a pace." In the context of "there is but a step between me and death," it functions as a powerful, vivid metaphor for extreme proximity and immediate danger. It conveys the idea that David's life is hanging by the slenderest thread, with death constantly hovering at his heels, requiring immediate action and divine intervention for his survival. It emphasizes the precariousness and urgency of his situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes;":** David initiates this critical conversation with a solemn oath, underscoring the absolute truth of the profound revelation he is about to share. He asserts that King Saul is fully and undeniably aware of the deep affection, favor, and loyalty Jonathan holds for David. This implies that Saul recognizes Jonathan's bond with David as a significant obstacle to his murderous plans, hence the necessity for secrecy and deception.
* **"and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved:":** This clause exposes Saul's cunning and manipulative nature. David reveals that Saul has explicitly commanded that his true, murderous intentions regarding David remain hidden from Jonathan. The stated reason, "lest he be grieved," is a pretense; while Jonathan would indeed be heartbroken, Saul's primary motivation for secrecy is to prevent Jonathan from interfering with his plans to assassinate David, or to avoid a direct, potentially kingdom-splitting confrontation with his beloved son over the issue.
* **"but truly [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, [there is] but a step between me and death.":** This is the dramatic climax of David's desperate plea, reinforced by a double oath invoking both the living God and Jonathan's own life. This powerful, absolute affirmation underscores the undeniable certainty and terrifying immediacy of the danger David faces. The phrase "but a step between me and death" is a vivid and stark hyperbole, conveying that David's life is in constant, immediate peril, with death literally at his heels, ready to claim him at any moment. It is a desperate cry for Jonathan to fully grasp the gravity of the situation and to act with the utmost urgency.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey David's desperate plight and the gravity of his situation. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, vividly expressed in the phrase "there is but a step between me and death." This exaggerated statement powerfully communicates the extreme and constant danger David faces, emphasizing the immediacy and existential threat to his life, making his peril tangible to Jonathan. David's use of a **Solemn Oath** ("as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth") is another key device. This is a traditional and highly binding form of affirmation in ancient Israel, serving to underscore the absolute truthfulness and gravity of the speaker's words, invoking divine and personal life as guarantees. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Dramatic Irony** at play. While Jonathan initially struggles to believe his father would harm David, David's words reveal Saul's deceitful intentions, which the audience already knows to be true from previous chapters, creating a poignant tension between Jonathan's hopeful perception and the grim reality. The entire exchange also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the eventual tragic breakdown of Saul's kingdom and the ultimate triumph of God's chosen king, David, despite the immediate and overwhelming peril.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 20:3 powerfully illustrates the tension between divine promise and present suffering, a recurring and profound theme throughout biblical narrative. David, though divinely anointed to be the next king of Israel, finds himself in a state of extreme vulnerability, relentlessly hunted by the reigning monarch. This precarious existence highlights God's mysterious and often challenging ways of working out His sovereign purposes, frequently through periods of intense trial, reliance on human instruments of faithfulness, such as Jonathan, and the crucible of adversity. The verse underscores the stark reality of human depravity, as Saul's unchecked jealousy and paranoia lead to murderous intent and calculated deceit, contrasting sharply with the selfless love and unwavering loyalty demonstrated by Jonathan. It also speaks to the profound theological truth that even those chosen and favored by God are not exempt from severe hardship, persecution, and the shadow of death, yet God's preserving hand remains constant, guiding them through the darkest valleys and ultimately bringing His plans to fruition.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the LORD Encamps Around Those Who Fear Him")
* [Psalm 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Snares of Death Encompassed Me")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's desperate cry in 1 Samuel 20:3 resonates deeply with the universal human experience of vulnerability, fear, and the search for safety amidst betrayal. His situation reminds us that life, even for those walking in God's favor and fulfilling His purposes, is often precarious, marked by unexpected dangers, the painful reality of human malice, and the constant threat of adversity. In moments when we feel "but a step between me and death"—whether it's a physical threat, a crushing emotional burden, a spiritual attack, a crisis of faith, or relational betrayal—David's example prompts us to consider where our ultimate trust lies. It highlights the invaluable role of true, loyal friends who, like Jonathan, are willing to stand with us, offering support and even risking personal cost. Yet, it also points beyond human relationships to the ultimate source of security: God's unfailing providence and sovereign care. Our response to such peril should not be despair, but a renewed commitment to seek wisdom, rely on trusted counsel, and above all, cling to the divine promises that assure us of God's presence and ultimate victory, even when the path ahead is shrouded in darkness and death seems imminent.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "but a step between me and death," whether literally or metaphorically, and how are you responding to that vulnerability?**
* **How does David's reliance on Jonathan challenge or affirm your understanding of true friendship, loyalty, and the importance of supportive relationships in times of crisis?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the destructive power of unchecked jealousy and deceit, and what practical steps can we take to guard against these in ourselves and our communities?**
* **How do you reconcile David's extreme peril with God's clear promise for his future as king, and what does this tension teach you about God's providence and faithfulness in your own life's trials?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jonathan initially struggle to believe David's claims about Saul's intentions?**

Answer: Jonathan's initial disbelief, as seen in [1 Samuel 20:2](/1_samuel/20-2 "1 Samuel 20:2 - Jonathan's Initial Disbelief Regarding Saul's Intentions"), stemmed from a complex interplay of factors. Firstly, as Saul's son, Jonathan likely harbored a deep desire to believe the best of his father, perhaps rationalizing Saul's previous outbursts as temporary fits of rage or mental instability rather than calculated, persistent murderous intent. Secondly, Saul had previously sworn to Jonathan that he would not harm David ([1 Samuel 19:6](/1_samuel/19-6 "1 Samuel 19:6 - Saul's Oath to Jonathan Not to Harm David")), and Jonathan, being a man of integrity and honor, would have taken his father's solemn oath seriously. Thirdly, Saul had successfully concealed his true, persistent murderous intentions from Jonathan, as David explicitly states in [1 Samuel 20:3](/1_samuel/20-3 "1 Samuel 20:3 - David's Revelation of Saul's Deceit"). Jonathan's struggle was not a lack of loyalty or love for David, but a profound and understandable reluctance to accept the horrific truth about his own father's deep-seated depravity and murderous resolve.

**What is the significance of David's solemn oath, "as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth"?**

Answer: This is a powerful and common form of oath in the Old Testament, used to convey the utmost sincerity, certainty, and truthfulness of a statement. By invoking "as the LORD liveth," David appeals to the very existence, active presence, and covenant faithfulness of God, implying that if his words are false, God Himself would be called to account. By adding "and as thy soul liveth," he appeals to Jonathan's own life and being, making the statement even more personal, binding, and emotionally impactful. This double invocation underscores the absolute certainty of David's claim that his life is in immediate and grave danger. It is a desperate and potent attempt to break through any lingering denial Jonathan might have, impressing upon him the undeniable reality of Saul's murderous intent and the extreme urgency of the situation, leaving no room for doubt about David's desperate plight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's desperate declaration in 1 Samuel 20:3, "there is but a step between me and death," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate peril and divine deliverance found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, the anointed king-to-be, is hunted by a jealous and murderous king, experiencing a constant, existential threat to his life. This precarious existence mirrors the trajectory of Christ, the true Anointed One (Messiah), who willingly entered a world hostile to God, facing relentless opposition from spiritual and earthly powers that sought His life from birth ([Matthew 2:13-18](/matthew/2-13-18 "Matthew 2:13-18 - Herod's Attempt to Kill the Christ Child")). Jesus, too, walked with death ever-present, knowing His ultimate purpose was to lay down His life as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His journey to the cross was the ultimate "step between me and death," a willing descent into the deepest abyss of human suffering and divine judgment for the sake of humanity ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death on the Cross")). Yet, unlike David, who was preserved from death for a time to fulfill his earthly kingship, Christ fully embraced death, not to be overcome by it, but to conquer it definitively through His glorious resurrection ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Victory Over Death Through Resurrection")). Thus, David's desperate cry for deliverance finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in the one who faced death head-on, not merely to escape it, but to utterly defeat it, thereby offering eternal life and true security to all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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

2 Kings 2:6

And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.

1 Samuel 27:1

¶ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

Deuteronomy 6:13

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

1 Samuel 25:26

Now therefore, my lord, [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

1 Samuel 1:26

And she said, Oh my lord, [as] thy soul liveth, my lord, I [am] the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

2 Kings 2:4

And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

2 Kings 2:2

And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said [unto him, As] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.