1 Samuel 23:17

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

And he said {H559} unto him, Fear {H3372} not: for the hand {H3027} of Saul {H7586} my father {H1} shall not find {H4672} thee; and thou shalt be king {H4427} over Israel {H3478}, and I shall be next {H4932} unto thee; and that also Saul {H7586} my father {H1} knoweth {H3045}.

He said to him, "Don't be afraid, because my father's forces will not find you; you will be king over Isra'el, and I will be second to you. Sha'ul my father knows this, too."

saying, โ€œDo not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.โ€

And he said unto him, Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

Commentary

1 Samuel 23:17 captures a profoundly moving moment of unwavering loyalty and prophetic insight between Jonathan, King Saul's son, and David, the future king of Israel. This verse is a cornerstone in understanding their remarkable friendship amidst intense persecution.

Context

At this point in the narrative, David is a fugitive, relentlessly hunted by King Saul, who views him as a threat to his throne. David has recently escaped from Keilah and is hiding in the wilderness of Ziph. Jonathan, despite being Saul's son and the rightful heir, actively seeks out David to offer encouragement and reaffirm his support. This meeting, occurring during a time of great danger for David, highlights Jonathan's extraordinary character and faith in God's plan.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Loyalty and Friendship: Jonathan's visit to David in the wilderness demonstrates a loyalty that transcends family ties and personal ambition. He puts David's well-being and God's will above his own claim to the throne. This profound friendship is a recurring theme throughout 1 Samuel; see their initial covenant in 1 Samuel 18:3.
  • Divine Providence and Assurance: Jonathanโ€™s words, "Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee," are a direct, divinely inspired promise of protection. This reassures David that God's hand is upon him, ensuring his safety despite Saul's relentless pursuit. This echoes God's promises of protection to His chosen ones.
  • Confirmation of David's Kingship: Jonathan explicitly acknowledges, "thou shalt be king over Israel." This is a powerful affirmation from someone who stands to lose the most from David's rise. It reinforces the divine anointing David received in 1 Samuel 16:13 and underscores that God's plan for succession will prevail.
  • Jonathan's Humility and Submission: The statement, "and I shall be next unto thee," reveals Jonathan's humble acceptance of David's destined kingship. He envisions himself serving under David, not as a rival, but as a faithful second-in-command. This starkly contrasts with his father Saul's pride and rebellion.
  • Saul's Awareness: "and that also Saul my father knoweth" indicates that Saul was fully aware of the divine decree concerning David's future reign. This adds a tragic dimension to Saul's actions, showing his deliberate defiance against God's revealed will, as highlighted in 1 Samuel 15:28 where Samuel tells Saul the kingdom has been torn from him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Fear not" (Hebrew: ืึทืœ-ืชึดึผื™ืจึธื, al-tira) is a common biblical exhortation, often accompanied by a divine promise or reassurance of God's presence and protection. Its usage here by Jonathan underscores the divine nature of his comforting words to David, confirming that God's plan was immutable.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Faithful Friendship: It exemplifies what true, selfless friendship looks like โ€“ one that encourages, supports, and prioritizes God's will even at personal cost.
  • Trust in God's Plan: David was in a desperate situation, yet Jonathan's words reminded him that God's promises are sure, even when circumstances are grim. We too can trust that God's purposes will prevail in our lives, despite opposition or fear.
  • Humility and Acceptance: Jonathan's willingness to step aside for God's chosen leader is a profound example of humility and submitting to divine sovereignty. It challenges us to align our ambitions with God's will, rather than our own.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 20:31 (6 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 24:20 (5 votes)

    And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

  • Job 5:11 (3 votes)

    To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

  • Job 5:15 (3 votes)

    But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

  • Hebrews 13:6 (3 votes)

    So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  • Isaiah 54:17 (3 votes)

    No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.

  • Acts 28:16 (3 votes)

    And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.