1 Samuel 20 12

1 Samuel 20:12 kjv

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee;

1 Samuel 20:12 nkjv

Then Jonathan said to David: "The LORD God of Israel is witness! When I have sounded out my father sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed there is good toward David, and I do not send to you and tell you,

1 Samuel 20:12 niv

Then Jonathan said to David, "I swear by the LORD, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know?

1 Samuel 20:12 esv

And Jonathan said to David, "The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you?

1 Samuel 20:12 nlt

Then Jonathan told David, "I promise by the LORD, the God of Israel, that by this time tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, I will talk to my father and let you know at once how he feels about you. If he speaks favorably about you, I will let you know.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 12 Meaning

This verse captures Jonathan's solemn oath and strategic plan to ascertain Saul's true intentions towards David. Jonathan invokes the Lord, the God of Israel, as a divine witness to his commitment. He pledges to subtly investigate his father Saul's disposition regarding David within the next two days, promising to faithfully relay any information—especially if Saul harbors good intentions, but implicitly also if his intentions are hostile. This highlights Jonathan's unwavering loyalty to David, despite the dangerous personal cost, and his reliance on God's oversight in their critical situation.

1 Samuel 20 12 Context

This verse is situated during a pivotal and intensely dangerous period in David’s life. David, having grown significantly in renown after defeating Goliath and proving successful in battle, had incurred the paranoid jealousy of King Saul, Jonathan's father. Saul's animosity had escalated to attempts on David's life. The immediate context of 1 Samuel 20 finds David seeking Jonathan’s help to understand the true depth of Saul’s hatred and to devise a plan for his own safety. Jonathan, though loyal to his father, holds an even deeper covenant bond and friendship with David. Chapter 20 records Jonathan and David formalizing their life-long covenant (verse 16 and onward), which will later extend to their descendants (2 Samuel 9). Verse 12 serves as the initiating statement of Jonathan's elaborate plan to expose Saul's true intentions towards David, culminating in a series of signals using arrows. This deeply personal interaction between Jonathan and David contrasts starkly with the dysfunctional royal household and underscores themes of loyalty, treachery, and God's providence in the midst of human conflict. Historically, covenants, sealed with oaths, were foundational in ancient Near Eastern society, binding individuals, families, and even nations. The invocation of "the Lord, the God of Israel," gives the oath supreme weight and legitimacy in the eyes of both David and Jonathan, appealing to the ultimate divine authority against which no human ruler, not even a king, could legitimately transgress without consequence. This emphasis on God's witnessing also indirectly challenges the human tendency to secrecy and deception by asserting divine omniscience.

1 Samuel 20 12 Word analysis

• Then Jonathan said to David, "The Lord (יהוה, YHWH), the God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, Elohei Yisrael), be witness (יָהוּא, yah-hu)!
  • The Lord (YHWH): Refers to the personal, covenantal name of God. It signifies God's self-existence and His active presence in history, particularly His faithfulness to His promises and covenants. Jonathan invokes the most sacred name to underscore the absolute seriousness and divine guarantee of his oath. This elevates the conversation beyond a mere human promise.
  • the God of Israel: Specifies the unique relationship God has with His chosen people, implying His justice and protective nature over those within His covenant. This specific title highlights God's authority over Israel's king and people, making Him the supreme arbiter of truth in this critical family-state affair.
  • be witness (yah-hu): The Hebrew word derived from hwy or yhwh, meaning "to be" or "to testify/attest." It literally means "may He be He," an ancient formula for an oath where God Himself is called to bear witness or to be the enforcer of the oath. This makes the oath binding and carries divine consequences if broken, signaling that Jonathan considers this a sacred commitment. It contrasts with pagan practices where minor deities were called upon, reinforcing the sole sovereignty of Yahweh.
• When I have sounded out (אֶחְקֹר, eḥqōr) my father (אָבִי, āḇî)
  • sounded out (eḥqōr): Means to "search out," "examine thoroughly," "investigate," or "probe deeply." This signifies Jonathan's careful and strategic approach to discover his father's true intentions, acknowledging Saul's volatile and deceptive nature. It implies a subtle, indirect inquiry rather than a direct confrontation.
  • my father: Emphasizes the difficult position Jonathan is in, torn between loyalty to his king and biological father, and his deep covenant friendship with David. This humanizes his struggle.
• about this time tomorrow (כָּעֵת מָחָר, kā‘ēt māḥār), or the third day (לַשְּׁלִישִׁית, laššəlîšît)
  • about this time tomorrow, or the third day: Provides a precise timeframe, indicating urgency and a clear timeline for the crucial information exchange. "Tomorrow or the third day" means within 24-48 hours, highlighting the immediate danger David is in and Jonathan's prompt action.
• behold, if there is good (טוֹב, ṭôv) toward David,
  • behold: An interjection calling attention, signifying a significant revelation is pending. It creates anticipation.
  • if there is good (ṭôv) toward David: Refers to Saul having a benevolent disposition, intention, or a change of heart. "Good" here means not just favorable, but safety, wellbeing, and reconciliation. It suggests a possibility (however slim) that Saul might cease his murderous pursuits, though the narrative confirms this is unlikely.
• shall I not then send to you and disclose it to you?
  • send to you and disclose (הִגַּדְתִּי, higgaḏtî) it to you?: This rhetorical question acts as a strong affirmation and renewed promise. Jonathan is swearing he absolutely will inform David. The Hebrew word higgaḏtî means "to tell," "report," or "make known." This pledge emphasizes Jonathan's commitment to complete transparency with David, even if the news is good (and especially if it is bad, as hinted at later in the plan).

Words-Group Analysis

• "The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness!": This is a sacred oath formula. By invoking YHWH, the specific God of the Israelite covenant, Jonathan makes his promise utterly solemn and binding. It's an appeal to divine judgment, demonstrating his utmost sincerity and the critical importance of his pledge to David. This oath signifies that the subsequent actions and their consequences fall under God's direct observation and ultimate sanction. It also underscores Jonathan's personal faith in God's righteousness amidst political turmoil.
• "When I have sounded out my father... behold, if there is good toward David...": This phrase reveals Jonathan's astute understanding of his father's volatile nature and the need for cautious, indirect inquiry. It highlights the strategic component of his loyalty. "If there is good" also reveals a lingering, perhaps hopeful, but likely diminishing, hope that Saul might still come to his senses. Jonathan's pledge covers all outcomes, implying he will also reveal negative findings, even though the specific wording only states "if there is good."
• "...shall I not then send to you and disclose it to you?": This rhetorical question serves as a powerful confirmation of Jonathan's commitment. It functions as a vow that he will absolutely communicate the outcome of his investigation, emphasizing his trustworthiness and his proactive determination to ensure David's safety through full disclosure.

1 Samuel 20 12 Bonus section

• Jonathan's invoking of God as witness carries significant weight because God's name, YHWH, was deeply associated with His covenant promises (e.g., Abrahamic, Mosaic covenants). Therefore, breaching such an oath would be an offense not merely against David, but directly against God Himself.
• The New Testament often discourages sworn oaths (Matthew 5:33-37, James 5:12) because integrity and truthfulness should be inherent in a believer's word, rendering oaths unnecessary. However, in the Old Testament cultural context, invoking God's name was a standard, permissible, and very serious way to establish truth and bind agreements, especially when great trust was required and a life was at stake, as here between Jonathan and David. Jonathan's intent was not to deceive, but to solemnly reassure.
• The oath also served to protect Jonathan in case Saul discovered their conversations, as it showed Jonathan placing the ultimate decision and witness in God's hands. It elevates their bond from human friendship to a covenant watched over by God.
• This verse indirectly highlights the tragic breakdown within Saul's own household: the king, afflicted by an evil spirit and consumed by jealousy, is isolated, and even his own son feels compelled to make a secret, divinely-attested pact to protect the one Saul seeks to destroy.

1 Samuel 20 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:12 is the heart of Jonathan’s unwavering loyalty and self-sacrifice for David. The verse showcases a man whose allegiance to God and a covenant friendship supersedes his natural duty to his father and his own dynastic succession. Jonathan's solemn invocation of "The Lord, the God of Israel," as witness transforms a mere promise into a binding, sacred oath. This action emphasizes the divine involvement in their human plight, reminding David (and the reader) that God Himself observes and validates this crucial agreement. Jonathan’s planned "sounding out" of Saul reflects his wisdom and discretion, understanding his father's unpredictability and the need for a careful, strategic approach rather than open confrontation. The precise timeline given ("tomorrow or the third day") highlights the urgency of David’s precarious situation. His ultimate commitment to disclose the information, whether good or ill (though phrased optimistically), speaks to his integrity and deep concern for David's life. This verse exemplifies biblical friendship—loyal, selfless, covenantal, and God-honoring—in contrast to the jealousy and madness gripping Saul. It is a vital moment that seals David's immediate future and paves the way for his preservation by God's providence, mediated through Jonathan's faithfulness.