1 Samuel 20:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever."

NIV: And about the matter you and I discussed—remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever."

NASB: As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever.'

CSB: As for the matter you and I have spoken about, the Lord will be a witness between you and me forever."

NLT: And may the Lord make us keep our promises to each other, for he has witnessed them.'

KJV: And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever.

NKJV: And as for the matter which you and I have spoken of, indeed the Lord be between you and me forever.”

First Samuel 20:18–23 explains how Jonathan refines David's plan to discover if King Saul wants to kill David. Jonathan doesn't believe his father is that evil, but he is deeply loyal to David and agrees to find the truth (1 Samuel 20:1–17). If Saul flies into a rage because David doesn't come to the new moon feast, Jonathan will warn David that he isn't safe. This is exactly what happens, and Jonathan is heartbroken for himself and his friend (1 Samuel 20:24–42).

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 8/20/2025 9:44:38 AM