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1 Samuel 20:10

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 20:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me if perchance thy father answer thee roughly?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me if perchance thy father answer thee roughly?
1 Samuel 20:10 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be wroth, then know that evil is determined by him.
8Therefore deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of Jehovah with thee: but if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
9And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
10Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me if perchance thy father answer thee roughly?
11And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
12And Jonathan said unto David, Jehovah, the God of Israel, [be witness]: when I have sounded my father about this time to-morrow, [or] the third day, behold, if there be good toward David, shall I not then send unto thee, and disclose it unto thee?
13Jehovah do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to do thee evil, if I disclose it not unto thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and Jehovah be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
← 1 Samuel 20:91 Samuel 20:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then said David to Jonathan, who shall tell me? etc.] The disposition of Saul’s mind towards him, whether he gave a kind answer to the report of Jonathan concerning him: or what [if] thy father answer thee roughly? or hard words, as the Targum, whether he answers in a kind, loving, and smooth manner, or whether in a rough and angry one: the question is here, how he should be informed of this, since especially, if in the latter, it would not be safe for Jonathan to come himself to him, nor could he well trust the message with any other. Abarbinel thinks, that the first of these expressions is by way of question, who should declare to him his father’s will and intention, whether good or bad:…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“answer thee: Sa1 20:30-34, Sa1 25:10, Sa1 25:14, Sa1 25:17; Gen 42:7, Gen 42:30; Kg1 12:13; Pro 18:23 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:12”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification