1 Samuel 23 17

1 Samuel 23:17 kjv

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

1 Samuel 23:17 nkjv

And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that."

1 Samuel 23:17 niv

"Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this."

1 Samuel 23:17 esv

And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this."

1 Samuel 23:17 nlt

"Don't be afraid," Jonathan reassured him. "My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware."

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 17 Meaning

This verse records a pivotal encounter between Jonathan and David in the wilderness of Ziph. Jonathan assures David, who is a fugitive at this point, that he has nothing to fear from Saul. Jonathan states that Saul will not succeed in finding and capturing David because God is protecting him. Crucially, Jonathan reaffirms David's destiny as the next king over Israel, a divine appointment that Jonathan fully recognizes and accepts. He expresses his personal desire to serve David in a subordinate position ("next unto thee"). The verse concludes with Jonathan revealing that even his father, Saul, is aware that God has chosen David to be king, underscoring Saul's deliberate defiance of God's will. This encounter significantly strengthened David's faith and resolve in a time of great peril.

1 Samuel 23 17 Context

First Samuel chapter 23 recounts David's precarious life as a fugitive from Saul. It opens with David inquiring of the Lord through the ephod before saving the town of Keilah from the Philistines. Despite this, Saul hears of David's presence in Keilah and plans to besiege the city to capture him. David again seeks the Lord's counsel and is warned that the people of Keilah would indeed betray him to Saul. Consequently, David and his men flee to the wilderness, constantly moving to avoid Saul's relentless pursuit. This immediate context is one of intense danger, uncertainty, and betrayal for David. It is in this challenging period, in a thicket (Horesh) in the wilderness of Ziph, that Jonathan comes to David. His visit, recorded in verse 17, is not merely a friendly reunion but a deliberate act to "strengthen his hand in God" (v. 16), providing crucial encouragement and affirmation of God's covenant during David's darkest hours of persecution. The historical context reflects a young monarchy grappling with succession issues and the consequences of divine rejection of a king (Saul) and the divine anointing of another (David).

1 Samuel 23 17 Word analysis

• And he said unto him, Fear not:
  • "Fear not": (Heb. אַל־תִּירָא, al-tira). This is a common divine command throughout Scripture, frequently accompanying promises of presence and protection (e.g., to Abraham, Moses, Joshua). Here, though spoken by a human (Jonathan), it carries prophetic weight and reassures David based on God's unwavering plan. It directly addresses David's anxieties and calls him to trust in God's sovereignty rather than the immediate threatening circumstances.
• for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee;
  • "hand": (Heb. יָד, yad). Symbolizes power, authority, agency, and hostile action. Saul's "hand" represents his destructive and obsessive pursuit of David. It denotes his power to seize, harm, or control.
  • "my father": Highlights the deep, personal tragedy and tension within Saul's family, and underscores Jonathan's moral courage in aligning with God's chosen king despite his familial loyalty and his own claim to the throne.
  • "shall not find thee": (Heb. לֹא יִמְצָא, lo yimtsa). A strong declarative negative, signifying an absolute prevention. This is not merely an opinion but a certainty, implying divine protection and frustration of Saul's wicked designs. God will prevent Saul from capturing or killing David.
• and thou shalt be king over Israel,
  • "king over Israel": (Heb. מֶלֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל, melech al-Yisrael). This is Jonathan's unequivocal affirmation of David's divine destiny. He recognizes David not just as a strong warrior, but as God's designated monarch for the entire nation. This acknowledges God's sovereignty over the kingship, which overrides any human hereditary claim or political maneuver. It affirms the anointing given in 1 Sam 16.
• and I shall be next unto thee;
  • "next unto thee": (Heb. וְאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה מִשְׁנֶה לִּי, vəʾatta tihyeh mishneh li or rather for Jonathan saying to David: ואני אהיה משנה לך, va'ani ehyeh mishneh lekha). The term mishneh often refers to a "second," "deputy," or "subordinate" (e.g., Joseph was second to Pharaoh, Gen 41:40). This is a statement of profound humility and self-abnegation from Jonathan, who, as the natural heir, willingly steps aside and offers to serve in a secondary, yet honorable, position under David's divinely appointed reign. It demonstrates his acceptance of God's will and his unique selfless love.
• and Saul my father also knoweth that.
  • "knoweth": (Heb. יָדַע, yadaʿ). This verb implies a deep understanding, perception, or acknowledgment, not just casual awareness. Saul's "knowledge" here signifies that he is fully aware of God's rejection of him and selection of David. His relentless pursuit is therefore not born of ignorance, but of rebellious defiance against God's decree, highlighting the depth of his spiritual rebellion and the tragic nature of his decline. He struggles against what he internally knows to be true, making his actions inexcusable.

• "Fear not... for the hand of Saul... shall not find thee": This phrase combines human assurance with divine certainty. Jonathan isn't just comforting David; he is speaking a truth from God, confirming David's divinely protected status. Saul's power (yad) is rendered ineffective against God's will.
• "thou shalt be king... and I shall be next unto thee": This declaration encapsulates Jonathan's exemplary humility, unwavering loyalty, and submission to divine sovereignty. It illustrates a rare selflessness, prioritizing God's plan over personal ambition and birthright. It underscores his belief in God's faithfulness to David's anointing.
• "Saul my father also knoweth that": This highlights the internal conflict and tragic delusion within Saul. His knowledge signifies an active, conscious rejection of God's revealed will, making his actions deliberate rebellion. This awareness underscores the futility and sinfulness of his prolonged pursuit.

1 Samuel 23 17 Bonus section

• Jonathan's visit here (along with his preceding act of strengthening David's hand in God, 1 Sam 23:16) signifies more than just moral support; it is a spiritual bolstering. It is a moment where the future (David's reign) confirms the past (his anointing) through a current affirmation, reminding David of the unchangeable divine decree despite chaotic circumstances.
• The relationship between Jonathan and David forms a critical thematic contrast with the relationship between Saul and David. Jonathan consistently seeks David's well-being and God's glory, even at his own cost, while Saul consistently seeks David's harm driven by jealousy and rebellion against God.
• This verse can be seen as a fulfillment of their covenant previously made (1 Sam 18:3; 20:16-17), where Jonathan effectively renounces his claim to the throne in favor of David. This selfless act elevates Jonathan as one of the Bible's most noble figures.

1 Samuel 23 17 Commentary

First Samuel 23:17 captures one of the most poignant moments of faith, friendship, and divine revelation in the Old Testament. Jonathan, the loyal son of King Saul, seeks out David, his friend and rival for the throne, not to oppose him but to strengthen him. His declaration "Fear not" directly addresses David's deep fear and vulnerability as a fugitive. Jonathan's words function as a powerful confirmation of God's divine plan: Saul's desperate pursuit is futile, God will protect His anointed, and David will undeniably become the king. What truly distinguishes Jonathan's declaration is his astonishing humility and submission to God's will; he readily relinquishes his own royal claim and desires to serve David in a subordinate role. Furthermore, Jonathan reveals that Saul himself is aware of David's divine appointment, underscoring the tragic depth of Saul's rebellion and his conscious fighting against God's decree. This encounter profoundly reinforced David's trust in God's protective hand and ultimate faithfulness to His promises, proving to be a spiritual anchor in his perilous journey. It exemplifies selfless devotion and faithfulness to God's sovereign choice.