BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 20› Verse 23

1 Samuel 20:23

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 20:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between thee and me for ever.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between thee and me for ever.
1 Samuel 20:23 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
21And, behold, I will send the lad, [saying], Go, find the arrows. If I say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee; take them, and come; for there is peace to thee and no hurt, as Jehovah liveth.
22But if I say thus unto the boy, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way; for Jehovah hath sent thee away.
23And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, Jehovah is between thee and me for ever.
24So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat food.
25And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul`s side: but David`s place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
← 1 Samuel 20:221 Samuel 20:24 →
← Full Chapter 20 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And [as touching] the matter which thou and I have spoken of, etc.] The covenant they had made between them and their families: behold, the Lord [be] between me and thee for ever: as a witness of the covenant, and a revenger of those that should break it; so the Targum, “behold, the Word of the Lord be between me and thee a witness for ever.””
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of--The plan being concerted, the friends separated for a time, and the amiable character of Jonathan again peers out in his parting allusion to their covenant of friendship.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Between - As a witness and a judge between us and our families for ever, if on either side this league of friendship be violated. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:24”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the matter: Sa1 20:14, Sa1 20:15 the Lord: Sa1 20:42; Gen 16:5, Gen 31:50 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:24”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification