Deep Dive

I Samuel 20:42

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.

Deep dive References (9)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 42

David, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to consider at last whether it may not be necessary for him to retire into the country and to take up arms in his own defence. But he will not do so daring a thing without consulting his faithful friend Jonathan; how he did this, and what passed between them, we have an account in this chapter, where we have as surprising instances of supernatural love as we had in the chapter before of unnatural hatred. I. David complains to Jonathan of his present distress, and engages him to be his friend (Sa1 20:1-8). II. Jonathan faithfully promises to get and give him intelligence how his father stood affected to him, and renews the covenant of friendship with him (Sa1 20:9-23). III. Jonathan, upon trial, finds, to his grief, that his father was implacably enraged against David (Sa1 20:24-34). IV. He gives David notice of this, according to the appointment between them (Sa1 20:35-42).

Open source ↗

Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 42

20:42 sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name: See 18:3; 20:15-17; 23:16-18.

Open source ↗

Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 42

יְהוֹנָתָן (Yᵉhôwnâthân, H3083) — Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Open source ↗

Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

I Samuel 1:17rank 5

“Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.”

I Samuel 23:18rank 4

So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

Acts 16:36rank 2

The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”

I Samuel 20:15rank 2

and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

Luke 7:50rank 2

And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Numbers 6:26rank 2

may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’

Commentaries

Original language

Cross-references

Your reflection