1 Samuel 20 10

1 Samuel 20:10 kjv

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

1 Samuel 20:10 nkjv

Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me, or what if your father answers you roughly?"

1 Samuel 20:10 niv

David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

1 Samuel 20:10 esv

Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?"

1 Samuel 20:10 nlt

Then David asked, "How will I know whether or not your father is angry?"

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 10 Meaning

1 Samuel 20:10 reflects Jonathan’s practical foresight and unwavering loyalty to David amidst Saul’s intensifying murderous intent. Having just agreed to protect David, Jonathan immediately turns to the crucial issue of secure communication. He asks David how he will know if Saul's response during their test, a key indicator of David’s safety, will be hostile. This highlights the dangerous secrecy and the profound trust necessary for their covenant to succeed, as David's life depended on accurately receiving this vital intelligence.

1 Samuel 20 10 Context

1 Samuel chapter 20 takes place amidst escalating tension between King Saul and David, driven by Saul's intense jealousy and fear of David's popularity and divine favor. Having narrowly escaped Saul's repeated attempts on his life (1 Sam 19), David confronts Jonathan, his closest friend and Saul's son, demanding to know what he has done to provoke his father's relentless animosity. This chapter records David and Jonathan's solemn covenant to protect each other, a pivotal moment in David's life. Verse 10 comes at a crucial point in their discussion, just after David has implored Jonathan to save his life if he has done wrong, or otherwise to deliver him from Saul’s murderous intent. Jonathan, agreeing to the plan of discreet communication, immediately poses a practical question, underscoring the precariousness of their situation and the need for a precise, secret method to ascertain Saul’s disposition and convey it to David. The historical context includes a time of volatile monarchical rule, where royal decrees (even irrational ones) carried ultimate authority, and disfavor from the king could mean instant death.

Word Analysis

• Then Jonathan said, (wa-yō’mer Yĕhônātān - וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן): "Wa-yō’mer" is a common Hebrew conjunction-verb structure indicating "and he said," or "then he said." Jonathan (Yĕhônātān, meaning "Yahweh has given") speaks with clear purpose. This phrase signals a transition from emotional appeals to strategic planning. It highlights Jonathan's role as the pragmatic actor in their partnership, ready to implement a solution to David’s perilous situation. His prompt response demonstrates his commitment and thoughtful concern.
• "Who will tell me" (miy yaggîd lî - מִי יַגִּיד לִי): "Miy" means "who" or "what." "Yaggîd" is the Hifil imperfect form of "nagad," meaning "to tell, report, make known." The Hifil form implies "causing to know." This isn't just about curiosity; it’s about establishing a reliable and secure channel of critical information. Jonathan is asking for the mechanism of notification. Given the secret and dangerous nature of their communication, "who will tell me" implicitly also asks, "how can this sensitive information be reliably transmitted?" The phrasing reveals his immediate concern for the practical implementation of their plan to gauge Saul's intent without risking David's exposure.
• "if your father" (kî yaʿănəkā ’āvîkhā - כִּי יַעַנְךָ אָבִיךָ): "Your father" ('āvîkhā) here is deeply ironic and poignant. Saul is Jonathan’s biological father, yet the object of their suspicion and conspiracy. This term emphasizes Jonathan’s profound loyalty to David, which transcends his natural family allegiance and the customary reverence owed to a king and a father. It highlights the immense internal conflict Jonathan must have felt, yet his commitment to David prevails.
• "answers you harshly?" (qāšāh - קָשָׁה): "Qāšāh" is an adverb meaning "harshly," "severely," "fiercely," or "with difficulty/trouble." In this context, it refers to Saul's verbal response, which would betray his underlying violent intentions toward David. It indicates a clear and definitive expression of wrath and rejection, a signal for David that his life is in immediate danger. This "harshness" is not just anger; it implies an intent to harm, contrasting with a benign or neutral response that would signal safety. The chosen word captures the dangerous stakes involved in reading Saul's temperament.

1 Samuel 20 10 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:10 reveals Jonathan's profound strategic thinking and his complete commitment to David's welfare. Having promised David full disclosure about his father’s intentions, Jonathan immediately considers the practical challenge of conveying life-or-death information under conditions of extreme secrecy. This verse highlights his transition from empathetic promise to logistical planning, recognizing that the accuracy and security of communication are paramount when Saul's erratic and murderous intent is involved. It sets the stage for the elaborate, coded message plan described later in the chapter (vv. 18-23). Jonathan’s query isn't mere curiosity; it's a testament to his intelligence, his protective instinct, and the strength of his covenant love, which superseded his duty to his own father. The question about "who will tell me" also implies the lack of any safe, conventional channel for such sensitive news, emphasizing the need for an ingenious, secretive solution.

Bonus SectionThe reliance on a coded system (arrows and a boy's retrieval, as outlined later in 1 Sam 20:20-22) reflects the limitations of ancient communication and the heightened danger faced by David and Jonathan. There were no immediate secure messaging systems; information had to travel through trusted persons, or by prearranged, subtle signals. Jonathan’s specific concern ("who will tell me") implicitly rejects the idea that a third party, privy to their plans, might directly convey the message. Instead, it suggests a desire for an undeniable, first-hand "signal" from his interaction with Saul, which he could then transmit to David. This concern speaks to the desperate measures individuals took for survival in an unpredictable, autocratic regime. This deep-seated trust between them, extending even to the nuances of life-saving communication, serves as a poignant biblical example of true covenant friendship, which foreshadows the bond between Christ and His church.