BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 20› Verse 31

1 Samuel 20:31

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 20:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
1 Samuel 20:31 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
29and he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me [to be there]: and now, if I have found favor in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he is not come unto the king`s table.
30Then Saul`s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and unto the shame of thy mother`s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done?
33And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that is was determined of his father to put David to death.
34So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
← 1 Samuel 20:301 Samuel 20:32 →
← 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
“For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom, etc.] He would not, though heir to the crown, be sure of it; it would be precarious to him, he would be in great danger of being deprived of it on the death of his father; and therefore it would be his highest wisdom to deliver David up to be slain, as it was his greatest folly to protect him, and provide for his satiety: wherefore now send and fetch him unto me; send to Bethlehem for him to come to court directly: for he shall surely die; or he is “the son of death” f422; guilty of death, as the Targum, deserves to die, and Saul was determined upon his death if possible.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“send: Sa1 20:8, Sa1 19:6, Sa1 19:11-15 shall surely die: Heb. is the son of death, Sa1 26:16; Sa2 19:28; Psa 79:11 \*marg. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:32”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification