1 Samuel 20:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the Lord take vengeance on David 's enemies."

NIV: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the Lord call David’s enemies to account."

NASB: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, 'May the Lord demand it from the hands of David’s enemies.'

CSB: Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable."

NLT: So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, 'May the Lord destroy all your enemies!'

KJV: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies.

NKJV: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the Lord require it at the hand of David’s enemies.”

First Samuel 20:12–17 records Jonathan's vows of loyalty to David. David has warned that Jonathan's father, King Saul, wants David dead. Jonathan doesn't believe him. But he agrees to David's plan to uncover the truth (1 Samuel 20:1–11). Now, Jonathan vows his allegiance to David and begs for David's protection when he becomes king. Next, Jonathan will refine and fulfill David's plan. When he finds out his father's twisted intent, he returns to alert David, and they part ways (1 Samuel 20:18–42).

In 1 Samuel 20, David flees Saul for good. David goes to Jonathan at Gibeah to ask why Saul is trying to kill him. Jonathan agrees to find out. The two swear oaths of commitment to each other and plan to learn Saul's intentions. At the feast of the new moon, Saul becomes enraged at David's absence, as well as Jonathan's misplaced loyalty, and Jonathan knows David is in danger. The next day, Jonathan signals to David that he must flee. They part with tears and affirmations of their sworn friendship to each other.

David knows Saul wants to kill him (1 Samuel 19), but Jonathan can't accept it. The two decide to prove the king's intent, and Jonathan finally admits David's right. They part, trusting in their oath of friendship. David flees to Nob, where he tricks the priest out of bread and Goliath's sword, and makes a short visit to Gath. Eventually, David goes to the wilderness where his brothers meet him—along with four hundred men and their families who are in dire straits: the beginning of David's army (1 Samuel 21:1—22:5).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 10/30/2025 11:10:32 PM