1 Samuel 20 14

1 Samuel 20:14 kjv

And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

1 Samuel 20:14 nkjv

And you shall not only show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die;

1 Samuel 20:14 niv

But show me unfailing kindness like the LORD's kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed,

1 Samuel 20:14 esv

If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die;

1 Samuel 20:14 nlt

And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die,

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 14 Meaning

Jonathan's plea in 1 Samuel 20:14 is a critical moment where he requests David, upon his ascendancy to the throne, to demonstrate "the kindness of the LORD" (חֶסֶד יְהֹוָה, chesed Yahweh) towards him. Jonathan, acutely aware of Saul's malicious intent towards David and recognizing God's favor resting firmly on David for kingship, seeks assurance that his life will be spared and that David's future rule will reflect divine loyalty and covenant faithfulness rather than the typical practice of eliminating previous royal lines. This request for chesed emphasizes a deep, enduring commitment rooted in their sacred bond, asking David to treat him with the unwavering love and loyalty characteristic of God's own nature, thus protecting him from death.

1 Samuel 20 14 Context

1 Samuel chapter 20 details the deepening crisis between King Saul and David, spurred by Saul's intense jealousy and murderous intentions towards David. Jonathan, Saul's son and David's closest friend, becomes instrumental in conveying Saul's murderous plans to David. Jonathan and David affirm their deep bond through a solemn covenant, anticipating David's eventual ascent to the throne. Jonathan's plea in verse 14 occurs during this intimate discussion where he foresees the implications of David's future kingship, particularly the customary practice of eradicating potential threats from the former ruling dynasty. His request for "the kindness of the LORD" for himself and his lineage in subsequent verses, establishes a powerful ethical framework for their relationship and David's future reign, placing it under the standard of God's unfailing covenant loyalty.

1 Samuel 20 14 Word analysis

• "And you shall not only" (וְלֹא֙ אִם־עֹדֶ֣נִּי, v'lo im-odenni): This introductory phrase carries significant weight, implying a strong imperative, a profound request, or even a solemn plea "Do not fail to..." or "If you do not..." This unique construction suggests the immense importance of Jonathan's following request, indicating that David’s actions (or lack thereof) will have deep implications.
• "while I yet live" (חַ֔י, chai): Emphasizes the immediate urgency of the request, securing Jonathan's life now, during the anticipated transition of power. It shows Jonathan's pragmatic awareness of the danger he faced.
• "show me" (תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה עִמָּדִ֖י, ta'aseh immadi): This means "to do with me" or "to act toward me." It is a direct appeal for a concrete demonstration of loyalty and protective action.
• "the kindness of the LORD" (חֶ֣סֶד יְהֹוָ֑ה, chesed Yahweh): This is the theological heart of the verse.
  • חֶסֶד (chesed): More than simple "kindness" or "mercy," chesed is "covenant loyalty," "unfailing love," "steadfast devotion," or "faithfulness." It describes a deep and active love extended within a binding relationship, especially when one party has a moral or covenantal claim on another. It's often used for God's loyal and steadfast love for His covenant people. Jonathan is asking David to operate by divine standards in their relationship.
  • יְהֹוָה (Yahweh): The divine, covenantal name of God. Linking chesed to Yahweh elevates the requested kindness to a sacred, divinely-sanctioned level. Jonathan implores David to extend a quality of kindness that mirrors God's own enduring faithfulness to His covenants, placing their human oath within the framework of divine principles.
• "that I may not die" (וְלֹא־אָמֽוּת׃, v'lo amut): This indicates the primary and immediate purpose of Jonathan's request – the preservation of his life. In the ancient Near East, a common practice for a new king was to eliminate all potential claimants to the throne from the former dynasty, often leading to mass executions. Jonathan seeks a sacred promise from David to be spared from this fate.

Words-group Analysis

• "And you shall not only while I yet live show me the kindness of the LORD": This powerful phrasing functions as a deep covenantal entreaty. It can be translated idiomatically as "Indeed, show me unfailing kindness like the LORD's kindness, while I am alive." Jonathan appeals to a divine standard for David's future conduct as king, anticipating the chesed to be extended not only in his lifetime but also to his descendants (as clarified in the following verse). It binds David to an ethical responsibility reflective of God's character.
• "the kindness of the LORD" (chesed Yahweh): This phrase implies a steadfast, enduring loyalty that goes beyond mere sentiment or short-term friendship. It transforms their human covenant into one sealed by divine principles. Jonathan's wisdom lies in appealing to David's spiritual foundation, reminding him that his kingship should reflect divine righteousness and chesed, not ruthless power politics. This forms the basis of their unique bond, consecrated under God's name.

1 Samuel 20 14 Bonus section

• Jonathan's request for "the kindness of the LORD" establishes a model for covenantal relationships among God's people, where loyalty and love are founded on God's own nature rather than human whims or political expediency.
• This verse starkly contrasts Jonathan's spiritual wisdom and humble acceptance of God's will with Saul's increasing paranoia, jealousy, and resistance to divine direction.
• The emphasis on "while I yet live" highlights the immediacy and existential stakes of their covenant, yet the inclusion of "the kindness of the LORD" implicitly extends the covenant's implications beyond Jonathan's physical life to his lineage.
• This act of Jonathan, recognizing and embracing God's plan for David even if it meant his own earthly disadvantage, exemplifies a form of sacrificial love, laying down his legitimate claims out of faithfulness, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 20 14 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:14 serves as a testament to Jonathan's deep spiritual discernment and faith in God's sovereignty. He recognized God's irrevocable choice of David as king, even over himself, the heir apparent. His selfless request for "the kindness of the LORD" is not just for mercy but for a covenantal loyalty reflecting God's own character—an enduring faithfulness that goes beyond personal ties. Jonathan understood the brutal political realities of the time, where new kings often eradicated the former dynasty to secure power. By invoking chesed Yahweh, he appealed to David's higher conscience, seeking a divine standard to govern their bond. This foreshadowed David's future reign being marked by righteousness and mercy, fulfilling it profoundly years later through his care for Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9), an act that exemplified how human chesed can be a vessel for divine grace.