1 Samuel 20:8

“Therefore thou shall deal kindly with thy servant, etc.] By informing him how his father’s mind stood affected to him, that he might conduct himself accordingly, either by appearing at court, or by providing for his safety by flight: for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee; a covenant of friendship between Jonathan and David, of which Jonathan was the first mover, and so is said to bring or persuade him into it; called the covenant of the Lord, because made in his name and fear, and before him as a witness of it; and this David pleads as an argument with Jonathan, to deal kindly and faithfully by him in the present case: notwithstanding, if there be in me…”

“Deal kindly - In giving me timely notice, and a true account of Saul's disposition and intention towards me. A covenant of the Lord - That is, a solemn covenant, not lightly undertaken, but seriously entered into, in the name and fear of God, and in his presence, calling him to be the witness of our sincerity therein, and the avenger of perfidiousness in him that breaks it. Slay me - I am contented thou shouldst kill me. For why - Why shouldst thou betray me to thy father, by concealing his evil intentions from me? 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:12”

“20:8 Loyalty (Hebrew khesed) denotes faithfulness between covenant partners. • a solemn pact: See 18:3; 20:16.”

“deal kindly: Gen 24:49, Gen 47:29; Jos 2:14; Rut 1:8; Pro 3:3 thou hast: Sa1 20:16, Sa1 18:3, Sa1 23:18 if there be: Jos 22:22; Sa2 14:32; Psa 7:4, Psa 7:5; Act 25:11 why shouldest: Ch1 12:17; Psa 116:11 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:9”