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1 Samuel 20:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 20:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, [saying], And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David`s enemies.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, [saying], And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David`s enemies.
1 Samuel 20:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
14And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the lovingkindness of Jehovah, that I die not;
15but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when Jehovah hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, [saying], And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David`s enemies.
17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
18Then Jonathan said unto him, To-morrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
19And when thou hast stayed three days, thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
← 1 Samuel 20:151 Samuel 20:17 →
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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
“So Jonathan made [a covenant] with the house of David, etc.] Not with David himself only, which was now renewed, but with his family also: [saying], let the Lord even require [it] at the hand of David’s enemies; take vengeance on Jonathan, or on any of his posterity, should they break this covenant, by showing themselves enemies to David, and his crown; and, on the other hand, also on David, and his posterity, should they not show kindness to Jonathan and his seed, according to the tenor of this covenant.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A covenant - The covenant which before was personal, he now extends to the whole house of David, expecting a reciprocal enlargement of it on David's side, which doubtless he obtained. Enemies - If either I or any of my house shall break this covenant, and shall prove enemies to David or to his house, let the Lord, the witness of this covenant, severely punish the violators of it. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made: Heb. cut, Sa1 18:3; Gen 15:18 Let the Lord: Sa1 25:22, Sa1 31:2; Sa2 4:7, Sa2 4:8, Sa2 21:8 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:17”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification