1 Samuel 20:23 kjv
And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
1 Samuel 20:23 nkjv
And as for the matter which you and I have spoken of, indeed the LORD be between you and me forever."
1 Samuel 20:23 niv
And about the matter you and I discussed?remember, the LORD is witness between you and me forever."
1 Samuel 20:23 esv
And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever."
1 Samuel 20:23 nlt
And may the LORD make us keep our promises to each other, for he has witnessed them."
1 Samuel 20 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 31:49 | And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me... | God as witness to an agreement/pact |
| Gen 9:16 | The bow shall be in the cloud... an everlasting covenant. | God's eternal covenant with humanity |
| Gen 17:7 | And I will establish my covenant between me and thee... an everlasting covenant. | God's everlasting covenant with Abraham |
| 2 Sam 7:16 | And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever... | The Lord's promise of an everlasting Davidic covenant |
| Psa 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with my chosen... establish thy seed for ever. | God's everlasting covenant with David confirmed |
| Jer 32:40 | And I will make an everlasting covenant with them... | God's everlasting covenant with His people |
| Heb 13:20 | ...the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus... through the blood of the everlasting covenant. | New Covenant as everlasting, sealed by Christ's blood |
| 1 Sam 18:3 | Then Jonathan and David made a covenant... | The initial covenant of friendship |
| 1 Sam 20:16 | So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David... | The covenant extending to their descendants |
| 1 Sam 23:18 | And they two made a covenant before the LORD... | Reaffirmation of their covenant |
| Deut 4:24 | For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. | The LORD as guarantor, taking seriously oaths |
| Josh 24:27 | And Joshua said... This stone shall be a witness... | Material objects used as witnesses for covenants |
| Jdg 11:10 | And Jephthah said unto the elders... The LORD be witness... | Invoking God as a witness for an oath |
| Ecc 5:4-6 | When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it... | Warning against breaking vows/oaths made before God |
| Jer 42:5 | Then they said... the LORD be a true and faithful witness... | God invoked as a true and faithful witness |
| Mal 2:14 | Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness... | God as witness to covenant/marriage vows |
| Matt 28:20 | ...I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. | God's constant presence with His people |
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and of a good courage... the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee. | God's accompanying presence |
| Prov 17:17 | A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. | Nature of true friendship exemplified |
| Prov 18:24 | A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | Exemplifying close friendship (David & Jonathan) |
| Isa 55:3 | ...and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. | Covenant faithfulness linked to David |
| Psa 50:14 | Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High. | Fulfilling vows made to God |
1 Samuel 20 verses
1 Samuel 20 23 Meaning
This verse solemnly invokes the LORD as the eternal guarantor and witness of the unbreakable covenant of friendship and mutual loyalty between David and Jonathan. It emphasizes the enduring nature of their pact, extending beyond their individual lifetimes to their descendants, underscoring that God Himself stands "between" them, ensuring the fidelity of their commitment forever.
1 Samuel 20 23 Context
This verse is found within the intensely emotional and significant exchange between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel chapter 20. It follows Jonathan's elaborate plan to ascertain his father Saul's true intentions regarding David's life. Verses 12-17 record the covenant they have already sworn to one another before the LORD, promising loyal love (hesed) not only between themselves but also between their respective descendants. Verse 23 specifically reaffirms and solemnizes this pact as Jonathan explains the signal to David. It emphasizes the absolute gravity of their commitment, highlighting that their personal promises are made under the divine eye, sealed and guaranteed by the ever-present LORD Himself. This covenant represents a profound act of loyalty and trust amidst political intrigue and personal danger, forming a cornerstone of David's life and reign.
1 Samuel 20 23 Word analysis
- And as touching the matter: This phrase, derived from the Hebrew və-hadavár ʼăšer (וְהַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר), refers back to the specific content and details of their prior discussion and covenant. Davar (דָּבָר) is a rich Hebrew term that can mean 'word', 'thing', 'matter', 'affair', 'promise', or 'command'. Here, it encompasses the entirety of their solemn agreement and sworn oath, which extended to mutual protection and kindness to their descendants (1 Sam 20:14-16). It signifies that this is not a casual promise but a weighty undertaking.
- which thou and I have spoken of: (דִּבַּרְנוּ אֲנִי וָאָתָּה - dibbarnu ʼăní wāʼattāh). This points to the direct, personal nature of their conversation and the reciprocal commitment. It indicates an agreement reached through mutual consent and explicit declaration, unlike a unilateral promise.
- behold, (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): This is an interjection often used to draw attention, emphasize, or introduce something significant or unexpected. Here, it underscores the solemnity and crucial importance of the following statement—the invocation of God. It's an imperative to "Look!" or "Pay attention!" to the profound truth about to be uttered.
- the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the sacred, covenant name of God in ancient Israel (the Tetragrammaton), distinct from more generic terms like Elohim. Invoking YHWH means calling upon the specific, personal, faithful, and all-powerful God who established covenants with Abraham, Moses, and His people. It indicates that the covenant is not merely human but divinely witnessed, guaranteed, and enforced. His character as the covenant-keeping God ensures its stability and future fulfillment.
- be between thee and me: (בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ - bēyní u-vēynechā). This phrase implies God's active presence as an omnipresent witness, guardian, or even the very bond of their covenant. It is similar to the concept in Gen 31:49, where God "watches" between parties. It means He oversees the agreement, ensures its performance, and will hold either party accountable should they fail. It underscores that their loyalty to each other is also an act of fidelity before God.
- for ever. (עַד עוֹלָם - ʼad ʻôlām): This translates literally as "unto eternity" or "forever." It emphasizes the perpetual and unending nature of the covenant. This means it is intended to last beyond their lifespans, covering their future generations, which is explicitly mentioned in their prior discussions (1 Sam 20:15-16). It speaks to the concept of hesed (covenantal love or loyal-kindness) which is enduring and perpetual, echoing God's own everlasting covenant faithfulness.
1 Samuel 20 23 Bonus section
- The Concept of Hesed: The entire covenant between David and Jonathan, solemnized in this verse, is a powerful demonstration of hesed (חֶסֶד). This rich Hebrew term encapsulates loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast mercy, and unfailing kindness. It is the very character of God and what He expects from His covenant people. Jonathan's actions toward David exemplify hesed, providing a human parallel to God's own unwavering faithfulness.
- Ancient Near Eastern Treaties: The concept of invoking a deity to witness and enforce an agreement was common in the ancient Near East, adding supernatural gravity to an oath. By invoking YHWH, David and Jonathan elevated their personal bond to the level of a solemn treaty, with the ultimate sovereign (God) overseeing its terms.
- Fulfillment in David's Life: The "for ever" aspect of this covenant finds its tangible fulfillment in David's later treatment of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's disabled son (2 Sam 9). David remembers and honors his oath, showing "kindness for Jonathan's sake" by restoring Saul's land to Mephibosheth and allowing him to eat at the king's table continually. This concrete action demonstrates that David truly took "the LORD between thee and me for ever" seriously, extending loyal kindness across generations as pledged.
1 Samuel 20 23 Commentary
1 Samuel 20:23 serves as a potent affirmation of the unbreakable, divinely sanctioned covenant between David and Jonathan. By invoking "the LORD" (YHWH) as the guarantor "for ever," their friendship transcends a mere human bond, becoming a perpetual, sacred oath witnessed and secured by God Himself. This covenant underscores Jonathan's selfless loyalty, contrasting sharply with Saul's hostility, and lays the groundwork for David's later acts of kindness towards Jonathan's descendants, demonstrating the enduring nature of a true, God-sealed promise even amidst the severest trials.