1 Samuel 20:14
1 Samuel 20:14 in Multiple Translations
And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die,
And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:
And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the lovingkindness of Jehovah, that I die not;
And may you, while I am still living, O may you be kind to me, as the Lord is kind, and keep me from death!
While I live, please show me trustworthy love like that of the Lord so I don't die,
Likewise I require not whiles I liue: for I dout not but thou wilt shew me the mercy of the Lord, that I die not.
and not only while I am alive dost thou do with me the kindness of Jehovah, and I die not,
You shall not only show me the loving kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I not die;
And thou shalt, not only while yet I live, show me the kindness of the LORD, that I may not die:
And if I live, thou shalt shew me the kindness of the Lord: but if I die,
But while I am still alive, please be kind to me in the same way that Yahweh is kind to me, and do not kill me when you become king.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 20:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 20:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לֹ֖א
אִם
עוֹדֶ֣/נִּי
חָ֑י
וְ/לֹֽא
תַעֲשֶׂ֧ה
עִמָּדִ֛/י
חֶ֥סֶד
יְהוָ֖ה
וְ/לֹ֥א
אָמֽוּת
וְ/לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
עוֹדֶ֣/נִּי
ʻôwd
H5750
still
Adv | Suff
חָ֑י
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תַעֲשֶׂ֧ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
עִמָּדִ֛/י
ʻimmâd
H5978
with me
Prep | Suff
חֶ֥סֶד
chêçêd
H2617
kindness
N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אָמֽוּת
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 20:14
וְ/לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
עוֹדֶ֣/נִּי
ʻôwd
H5750
"still"
Adv | Suff
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
חָ֑י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תַעֲשֶׂ֧ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
עִמָּדִ֛/י
ʻimmâd
H5978
"with me"
Prep | Suff
Means 'with me', showing accompaniment, like in Psalm 23:4 where David says God is with him even in difficult times.
Definition: with A grammatical form of im (עִם "with" H5973A) § 1) with
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: against, by, from, [phrase] me, [phrase] mine, of, [phrase] that I take, unto, upon, with(-in.) See also: Genesis 3:12; 1 Samuel 20:28; Psalms 23:4.
חֶ֥סֶד
chêçêd
H2617
"kindness"
N-ms
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Definition: goodness, kindness, faithfulness
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. See also: Genesis 19:19; Psalms 51:3; Psalms 5:8.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אָמֽוּת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 20:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 20:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 20:14
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 20:14
Context — Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
12and Jonathan said, “By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you?
13But if my father intends to bring evil on you, then may the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if I do not tell you and send you on your way in safety. May the LORD be with you, just as He has been with my father.
14And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die,
15and 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.” 16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 9:3 | So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.” |
| 2 | Ephesians 5:1–2 | Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. |
1 Samuel 20:14 Summary
In this verse, Jonathan is asking David to promise to always treat him with the same kind of love and loyalty that God shows to His people. This means being kind, caring, and protective towards one another, just as God is towards us (as seen in John 13:34-35). Jonathan wants to know that David will always be there for him, no matter what, and that their friendship will be a reflection of God's love for them. By making this promise, David is showing that he values their friendship and is committed to caring for Jonathan, just as we are called to love and care for one another in Galatians 5:13-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jonathan mean by 'the LORD's loving devotion' in this verse?
Jonathan is asking David to treat him with the same kind of love and loyalty that God shows to His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:9 and Psalm 136:1-3, which describe God's loving devotion to those who follow Him.
Why does Jonathan ask David not to let him die?
Jonathan is expressing his trust in David's protection and care, knowing that as long as David treats him with the LORD's loving devotion, he will be safe from harm, much like the promise of protection in Psalm 23:4.
Is this verse only about the friendship between Jonathan and David?
While this verse does highlight the strong bond between Jonathan and David, it also points to the larger theme of loyalty and devotion to God, as seen in verses like Ruth 1:16-17, where Ruth pledges her loyalty to Naomi and the God of Israel.
How does this verse relate to the concept of covenant in the Bible?
This verse is part of a larger covenant being made between Jonathan and David, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:16, where Jonathan makes a covenant with the house of David, and is reminiscent of other biblical covenants, such as the one between God and Abraham in Genesis 17:1-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show the LORD's loving devotion to those around me, just as Jonathan asked of David?
- How can I trust in God's protection and care for me, even in uncertain or difficult circumstances?
- What does it mean for me to 'treat others with the LORD's loving devotion' in my daily life, and how can I put this into practice?
- In what ways can I be a source of comfort, support, and protection for those who are struggling or in need, just as David was for Jonathan?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:14
And thou shalt not only, while yet I live, show me the kindness of the Lord,.... Such kindness as is well pleasing in the sight of God, and imitate what he shows to men, and which was covenanted,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:14
And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
Or, And wilt thou not, if I shall then be alive, ( to wit, when the Lord shall be with thee, as he hath been with my father, as he now said, i.e. when God shall have advanced thee to the kingdom, as he did him,) yea, wilt thou not (the same particle twice repeated for asseveration, i.e. I am well assured that thou wilt) show me the kindness of the Lord; i.e. either such kindness as the Lord hath showed to thee in preserving thy life in the midst of so many and such great dangers; or that kindness to which thou hast engaged thyself; in the covenant sworn between thee and me in God’ s presence. That I die not; that thou do not kill me or mine, as princes of another line use to kill the nearest relations of the former line, from whom the kingdom was translated to them; which they do either by way of revenge, or in policy, and reason of state, to secure the kingdom to themselves.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
1 Samuel 20:14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:Ver. 14. Show me the kindness of the Lord.] Such as he showeth to his people; and such as they that have their thoughts steeped in the kindness of the Lord to themselves, do show one to another, loving mutually, "out of a pure heart fervently." That I die not.] As justly perhaps I might do, for my father’ s hatred to thee, and persecution of thee. That was a cruel custom of Ulades, prince of Walachia, together with the offender, to execute the whole family; yea, sometimes the whole kindred. Turk. Hist.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
(14) And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not.—The Hebrew of this and the next verse is again very confused, abrupt, and ungrammatical, but this is evidently to be attributed to the violent emotion of the speaker. We have, doubtless (as above suggested). David’s own report of what took place, and the words of his dead friend had, no doubt, impressed themselves with a sad accuracy on his heart. The Syriac and Arabic renderings have been followed by Maurer, Ewald, Keil, Lange, and others, who change v’lo (“and not”) in the first two clauses of 1 Samuel 20:14, into the interjection v’lu (and “O that,” or “would that”). They render them, “And mayest thou, if I still live, show to me the favour of the Lord, and if I die, not withdraw thy favour from my house for ever, not even when Jehovah shall cut off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth.” The last words, “when Jehovah shall cut off,” tells us with striking clearness how thoroughly convinced was Jonathan that in the end David’s cause, as the cause of their God, would surely triumph. Mournfully he looked on to his father’s downfall and his own (Jonathan’s) premature death; and in full view of this he bespoke the interest of his friend—though his friend would probably in a few hours become an exile and outlaw—on behalf of his own (Jonathan’s) children, who would, he foresaw, before many years had expired, be landless, homeless orphans.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:14
Verse 14. Show me the kindness of the Lord] When thou comest to the kingdom, if I am alive, thou shalt show kindness to me, and thou shalt continue that kindness to my family after me.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:14
14, 15. Convinced that David will succeed to the kingdom, Jonathan exacts from him a promise to shew kindness to his posterity after his death as well as to himself during his life time. His words, like Saul’s in ch. 1 Samuel 14:21, are prompted by a fear lest even David should conform to the barbarous Oriental custom by which the first king of a new dynasty often tried to secure himself on the throne by murdering his predecessor’s family. Cp. 1 Kings 15:29; 1 Kings 16:11; 2 Kings 10:6; 2 Kings 11:1. David fulfilled his promise by shewing kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1 ff; 2 Samuel 21:7). This is clearly the general sense of the passage, though the exact rendering is doubtful. (1) Retaining the Heb. text we may translate: “And wilt thou not, if I am still alive (when thou comest to the throne), yea wilt thou not shew me the kindness of Jehovah, that I die not? And thou shalt not cut off, &c.” But this involves a very harsh construction, and it is perhaps best (2) to alter the text slightly, and translate: “And mayest thou, if I am still alive, yea mayest thou shew me the kindness of Jehovah: and if I die, thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever, &c.”
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 20:14
The general meaning is: Jonathan had a presentiment, doubtless from God, that David would be established upon the throne.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 20:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Thou Shalt Eat Bread at My Table Continually. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the profound blessings of God's love through the story of Mephibosheth, who, despite his lameness and perceived worthlessness, is invited to eat at King David |
|
Walk of the New Man 02 by Rick Bovey | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of following in the footsteps of Jesus. He uses the analogy of stepping in footprints to illustrate the idea of mimicking Jes |
|
Elijah - Part 5 by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the importance of rebuilding old altars in our lives, highlighting the need for repentance, restitution, and a return to God's ways. It discusses the signifi |
|
Message 05 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the face of trials and temptations. He uses the analogy of putting on the full armor of God to illustrate |
|
Digging Ditches in Dry Weather by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taking action and not just relying on others to spread the word of God. He urges the audience to go beyond their comfort z |
|
|
Saved From God's Wrath Through His Life by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the preacher begins by asking for God's presence and guidance in understanding the Word. He then explains that belief in the old rugged cross is not enough to save |
|
Getting Back to Basics: The Love We Had at First by Robert Wurtz II | In this sermon, the speaker continues their study on getting back to basics. They discuss the importance of becoming fishers of men and evangelizing to win souls for God. The speak |