1 Samuel 20:7 kjv
If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
1 Samuel 20:7 nkjv
If he says thus: 'It is well,' your servant will be safe. But if he is very angry, be sure that evil is determined by him.
1 Samuel 20:7 niv
If he says, 'Very well,' then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper, you can be sure that he is determined to harm me.
1 Samuel 20:7 esv
If he says, 'Good!' it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him.
1 Samuel 20:7 nlt
If he says, 'Fine!' you will know all is well. But if he is angry and loses his temper, you will know he is determined to kill me.
1 Samuel 20 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 37:12 | The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him; | Plots of the wicked |
| Psa 7:15 | He digs a pit, and digs it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. | Plans leading to self-destruction |
| Psa 64:2 | Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the tumult of evildoers, | Seeking divine protection from plots |
| Prov 28:22 | A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth... | Discernment of intentions |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves... wise as serpents and innocent as doves." | Discernment of dangerous situations |
| Gen 4:5-6 | But to Cain and to his offering he did not show favor... "Why are you angry? And why has your face fallen?" | Anger as a sign of wicked intent |
| Gen 37:4-8 | But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more... and they hated him... they hated him even more... | Sibling jealousy and hatred leading to plots |
| Psa 33:10 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. | God's thwarting of wicked plans |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. | God's sovereignty over human plans |
| 2 Cor 2:11 | ...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. | Awareness of enemy's schemes |
| Eph 6:11 | Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. | Standing against wicked schemes |
| Psa 56:6 | They lurk, they watch my steps; as they have waited for my life. | Being watched by those with ill intent |
| Jer 17:9-10 | The heart is deceitful above all things... I, the LORD, search the heart... | Discerning hidden motives |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | God's Word discerns intentions |
| 1 John 3:15 | Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer... | Hatred leading to murder |
| John 8:44 | You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning... | Root of murderous intent |
| Rom 1:29-30 | ...full of envy, murder... backbiters... hateful to God... | Corrupt heart's actions |
| Psa 17:9 | From the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. | Facing determined enemies |
| 1 Sam 18:8-9 | Saul was very angry... And Saul eyed David from that day on. | Saul's early jealousy and watching David |
| 1 Sam 19:1 | Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants about killing David. | Saul's direct intention to kill David |
| Psa 35:7 | For without cause they hid their net for me... | Wicked planning without provocation |
| Prov 11:27 | Whoever diligently seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. | Intentions yield consequences |
1 Samuel 20 verses
1 Samuel 20 7 Meaning
First Samuel chapter 20, verse 7 serves as a critical predictive statement within Jonathan's carefully designed test to ascertain King Saul's true intentions towards David. It outlines two possible outcomes based on Saul's reaction to David's absence at the New Moon festival. If Saul responds calmly, expressing "it is well," it signifies no harm intended, confirming David's safety from the king. However, if Saul exhibits extreme anger, this reaction would serve as definitive proof that Saul has already resolved and planned to harm or kill David. The verse therefore establishes the crucial sign by which Jonathan will interpret his father's disposition and relay the information to David, marking a turning point in David's life and his relationship with Saul.
1 Samuel 20 7 Context
First Samuel chapter 20 opens with David in great distress and fear, recognizing that Saul truly seeks his life (1 Sam 20:1-3). He flees to Jonathan, seeking confirmation of Saul's intentions and desperately needing a plan for safety. Jonathan, David's loyal friend and Saul's son, makes a covenant of unfailing love with David. The chapter focuses on this pivotal scheme designed by Jonathan to objectively reveal Saul's animosity. Jonathan proposes that David feign an absence from the annual New Moon festival, a required gathering at the king's table. Saul's reaction to David's absence would be the definitive test. Jonathan intends to use the coded signal of arrows to convey Saul's true state of mind to David, who will be hiding in a field. Verse 7 specifically outlines the interpretation key for this test: Saul's calm acceptance would mean safety, but extreme anger would confirm his murderous plot. This context underscores the deep friendship and trust between David and Jonathan amidst severe royal persecution and political instability in early Israel.
1 Samuel 20 7 Word analysis
- If he says thus: Signifies the precise, deliberate nature of the words Saul might utter. The Hebrew for "thus" (כֵּן, ken) implies "so," "in this way," emphasizing specific manner.
- 'It is well,': The Hebrew term is שָׁלוֹם, shalom. This word is profound, meaning "peace," "completeness," "well-being," "nothing missing." In this context, it signifies Saul's peaceful disposition towards David's absence, implying no underlying malicious intent or a casual acceptance.
- your servant: David's humble self-designation when referring to himself, even when addressing Jonathan. This humility is characteristic of David throughout his life, contrasting sharply with Saul's increasing arrogance.
- is safe: The Hebrew is נְקִי, naqi, which means "innocent," "clean," "free," or "unscathed." It implies being free from guilt, punishment, or harm, ensuring David's security. It's about being acquitted of any perceived wrongdoing that might provoke Saul.
- But if he is very angry: This is a strong idiomatic expression in Hebrew, often ḥarah ḥarah (חָרָה חָרָה), literally "burning, burning" or "anger, anger" doubled for emphasis. It denotes extreme, fierce, and unbridled wrath, indicating deep-seated hatred rather than mere irritation.
- be assured: Implies certainty and confirms the interpretation of the sign. The result is unequivocal.
- that disaster: The Hebrew word is רָעָה, ra'ah, meaning "evil," "calamity," "harm," "trouble." This signifies not just discomfort but severe harm, potentially death.
- is planned by him: The Hebrew phrase is כָּלְתָה אֵלָיו הָרָעָה, kaltha elav hara'ah. Kaltha (from כָּלָה, kalah) means "to be completed," "consumed," "finished," or "determined." It strongly indicates that the evil intention or calamity is already fully resolved and set by Saul. It’s not a spur-of-the-moment reaction, but a premeditated and settled intent.
1 Samuel 20 7 Bonus section
The test described in this verse speaks to a wider biblical theme: the importance of discerning between appearances and reality. What one says and what one's heart intends can be vastly different, and wise individuals (like Jonathan) seek clear signs to reveal true motivations. This dynamic relationship between expressed anger and predetermined evil illustrates how unrepentant sin, specifically jealousy and envy, can mature into fixed murderous intent, as seen throughout Saul's later interactions with David. Furthermore, the covenant between Jonathan and David (mentioned in this chapter) takes precedence for Jonathan over his familial loyalty to his father, reflecting a greater loyalty to God's chosen king. The specific detail of Saul being "very angry" (doubled 'anger' in Hebrew) speaks to an internal state of intense heat or passion that consumed Saul, hinting at his eventual madness. This state is a clear sign that God has departed from him and an evil spirit troubles him (1 Sam 16:14).
1 Samuel 20 7 Commentary
First Samuel 20:7 serves as the interpretive key to Jonathan's scheme, highlighting the critical nature of discerning the king's true intentions. Saul's potential response of "Shalom" (peace, well-being) would indicate a heart free from animosity, affirming David's innocence and safety from royal wrath. This would signal reconciliation or, at the very least, a suspension of Saul's jealousy. However, the predicted "very angry" response reveals Saul's inner malice and settled intent to harm. This isn't merely fleeting anger; the doubled intensity of the Hebrew term emphasizes a deep-seated, consuming rage. The declaration that "disaster is planned" or "determined" (from kalah) signifies a premeditated, malevolent decision by Saul. This verse starkly contrasts genuine peace with underlying hostility, serving as a litmus test for the king's heart. Jonathan’s faithfulness in providing such a precise mechanism for David’s survival exemplifies true friendship and divine protection through human means. The events that follow confirm the accuracy of this prediction, driving David into exile and underscoring the spiritual and emotional decay within King Saul. This illustrates that outwardly expressed emotions can reveal the hidden counsel of the heart and the severity of evil intent.