1 Samuel 20:7

Verse

If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he is enraged, you will know he has evil intentions.

American Standard Version (1901)

If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be wroth, then know that evil is determined by him.

If he says, It is well, your servant will be at peace: but if he is angry, then it will be clear to you that he has an evil purpose in mind against me.

Free Bible Version

If he says, ‘That's fine,’ then there's no problem for me, your servant, but if he gets mad, you'll know he intends to do me harm.

King James (Authorized) Version

If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

Translation for Translators

If your father says ‘That is okay’, then I know I will be safe. But if he becomes extremely angry, you will know that he is determined to harm me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If he says, 'It is well,' your servant will have peace. But if he is very angry, then know that he has decided on evil.

Noah Webster Bible

If he shall say thus, It is well; thy servant will have peace: but if he shall be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

World English Bible

If he says, ‘It is well,’ your servant shall have peace; but if he is angry, then know that evil is determined by him.

Young's Literal Translation

If thus he say: Good; peace [is] for thy servant; and if it be very displeasing to him — know that the evil hath been determined by him;

Context

Jonathan Helps David

⁶If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’⁷If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he is enraged, you will know he has evil intentions.⁸Therefore deal faithfully with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”

Summary

In this verse, Jonathan assures David of his loyalty and friendship, acknowledging the potential danger David faces from his own father, King Saul. Jonathan's commitment to David is evident as he promises to find out his father's intentions and inform David, even at the risk of his own life. This verse highlights the sacrificial love and deep bond between Jonathan and David, illustrating true friendship and loyalty in the face of adversity. It also foreshadows the challenges and trials that David will encounter in his journey to becoming king.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

If he say thus, it is well,.... It is very well, it is very good and right in him to do so: thy servant shall have peace; it will be a token that the wrath of the king was removed, and that his mind was well disposed towards David, and things had taken an happy turn, and would issue in his peace and prosperity: but if he be very wroth; with Jonathan for giving leave, and with David for going away: then be sure that evil is determined by him; that he has a settled obstinate malice in his heart, which is become implacable and inveterate, and confirmed in him; and that it is a determined point with him to slay David if possible, which he hoped to have an opportunity of doing at that time in which he was disappointed, and caused such wrath in him.