1 Samuel 20 15

1 Samuel 20:15 kjv

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

1 Samuel 20:15 nkjv

but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."

1 Samuel 20:15 niv

and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family?not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth."

1 Samuel 20:15 esv

and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."

1 Samuel 20:15 nlt

treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth."

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 15 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 20:15, Jonathan implores David, in the context of their covenant, to show loyal love (hesed) to his descendants, ensuring that David will not "cut off" his family lineage. Jonathan acknowledges that YHWH Himself will eradicate David's enemies, thereby establishing David's kingdom. This plea reflects Jonathan's awareness of David's inevitable ascension to the throne and a desire for protection for his house, anticipating potential reprisal against the previous king's family, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies.

1 Samuel 20 15 Context

1 Samuel 20 recounts a crucial interaction between Jonathan and David, amidst Saul's increasingly irrational and violent attempts to kill David. David, having been absent from Saul's table, seeks to understand the king's intentions. Jonathan, though loyal to his father, deeply values his covenant of friendship with David. In this chapter, they devise a plan to discern Saul's true intentions towards David, culminating in Jonathan confirming Saul's deadly hostility. Verse 15 is part of the renewed covenant between them (1 Sam 20:12-16), where Jonathan secures David's promise of kindness toward his family line, acknowledging that David's future as king is divinely ordained and secure. This plea reflects a common concern in dynastic changes, where the incoming ruler might eliminate rivals, especially from the preceding royal family, to secure their reign. Jonathan, selflessly recognizing David as God's chosen king, sought protection for his descendants, trusting in David's integrity and covenant faithfulness.

1 Samuel 20 15 Word analysis

• but never cut off (וְלֹא תַכְרִית - wə-lōʾ takhrît): From the root כָּרַת (karat), meaning "to cut, cut off, cut down, destroy, make a covenant." In this context, it refers to the complete annihilation or extinction of a lineage. The negative implies "do not utterly destroy." The phrase is deeply tied to the practice of "cutting off" or eliminating rivals and their posterity to secure a dynasty, often practiced by new kings. Jonathan is requesting that David refrain from such action against his house. The parallel with God "cutting off" enemies underscores the power involved in such an act, whether human or divine.
• your steadfast love (חַסְדְּךָ - ḥasd’khā): This is the Hebrew word hesed (חסד). Hesed is a multifaceted and profound term, signifying covenant loyalty, unfailing love, enduring mercy, kindness, and faithfulness. It goes beyond mere affection; it denotes fidelity to a commitment, particularly within a covenant relationship. Jonathan appeals to David to maintain the hesed of their bond towards his descendants, emphasizing its active and lasting nature. This love is not based on emotion alone, but on an oath and an agreement, requiring steadfast action over generations. It often implies a demonstration of loyal mercy or benevolence.
• from my house (מֵעִם בֵּיתִי - mēʿim bêtî): "My house" refers to Jonathan's household, family, and descendants. In the ancient world, the lineage was crucial for identity, inheritance, and continuity. To "cut off" someone from their house meant to bring about the end of their family line, severing their name and remembrance from existence. Jonathan is asking for the preservation and continuation of his family, despite the political upheaval and David's ascension.
• even when the Lord cuts off (וְהִכְרִית יְהוָה - wəhikhrît YHWH): The same root karat is used here, but with YHWH as the subject. This acknowledges God's sovereign hand in history, particularly in establishing and disestablishing kings. Jonathan implicitly recognizes that God will indeed "cut off" Saul's rule and firmly establish David's. This divine act legitimizes David's kingship and sets a parallel with David's requested actions; as God will clear David's path of enemies, Jonathan requests David show hesed rather than destruction to his line.
• every one of the enemies of David (כָּל־אֹיְבֵי דָוִד - kāl-ʾoy’vê Dāwiḏ): Refers to all those who oppose David, the divinely chosen future king. This highlights the concept of divine vindication—YHWH fighting for His anointed one. Enemies of David are, by extension, seen as opposing God's plan.
• from the face of the earth (מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה - mēʿal pənê hāʾădāmâ): This phrase emphasizes the completeness and totality of the eradication. It means to utterly wipe out their memory and existence from the land. This serves as a stark contrast to Jonathan's plea for his house not to be cut off; the divine hand of judgment brings total destruction, while human covenant keeping (requested from David) ensures preservation.

1 Samuel 20 15 Bonus section

The nature of hesed as an "obligatory loyalty" within a relationship (divine or human covenant) makes Jonathan's plea a powerful legal and ethical appeal. It is not just about personal feeling but a binding commitment. The scene also highlights Jonathan's profound humility and trust in YHWH's sovereign plan, even when it meant the loss of his own rightful claim to the throne. His plea is not for David to avoid being king, but for his family to be spared after David becomes king, demonstrating remarkable foresight and faith in the God who raises up and tears down kingdoms. This understanding of God as active in determining kingship (cf. 1 Sam 2:7-8; Psa 75:6-7) shapes Jonathan's request.

1 Samuel 20 15 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:15 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of David's rise, capturing the profound nature of covenant, divine sovereignty, and human responsibility. Jonathan, acting selflessly and recognizing God's favor on David, places himself and his future descendants under David's protection. His plea for hesed underscores the vital importance of loyalty within a covenant, extending beyond the immediate parties to their posterity. It foreshadows the potential for violence in dynastic transitions, where it was common practice to eliminate all threats from the previous royal house. Jonathan appeals to David’s character and their bond, asking for mercy rather than eradication. The parallelism between YHWH cutting off David’s enemies and David not cutting off Jonathan’s house highlights the difference between divine judgment on wickedness and human loyalty within a covenant of love. This request would later be honored by David through his care for Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9), a profound demonstration of enduring covenant faithfulness. The verse offers a powerful theological lesson: true leadership, even divinely ordained, is marked by covenant-keeping and compassion, not merely brute force or self-preservation. It teaches us about God's design for covenantal faithfulness, both divine to humanity and human to human.

Examples of hesed shown or not shown:

• Demonstrated Hesed: David's care for Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9) exemplifies the fulfillment of this promise.
• Expected Hesed (Failed): Saul's persistent attempts to kill David, breaking the implicit societal expectation of hesed towards the king's servant, contrast sharply with Jonathan's appeal.