The Friendship of David and Jonathan

201 And David fleeth from Naioth in Ramah, and cometh, and saith before Jonathan, 'What have I done? what 'is' mine iniquity? and what my sin before thy father, that he is seeking my life?' 2 And he saith to him, 'Far be it! thou dost not die; lo, my father doth not do anything great or small and doth not uncover mine ear; and wherefore doth my father hide from me this thing? this 'thing' is not.' 3 And David sweareth again, and saith, 'Thy father hath certainly known that I have found grace in thine eyes, and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved; and yet, Jehovah liveth, and thy soul liveth, but—as a step between me and death.' 4 And Jonathan saith to David, 'What doth thy soul say?—and I do it for thee.' 5 And David saith unto Jonathan, 'Lo, the new moon 'is' to-morrow; and I do certainly sit with the king to eat; and thou hast sent me away, and I have been hidden in a field till the third evening; 6 if thy father at all look after me, and thou hast said, David asked earnestly of me to run to Beth-Lehem his city, for a sacrifice of the days 'is' there for all the family. 7 If thus he say: Good; peace 'is' for thy servant; and if it be very displeasing to him—know that the evil hath been determined by him; 8 and thou hast done kindness, to thy servant, for into a covenant of Jehovah thou hast brought thy servant with thee;—and if there is in me iniquity, put thou me to death; and unto thy father, why is this—thou dost bring me in?'

9 And Jonathan saith, 'Far be it from thee! for I certainly do not know that the evil hath been determined by my father to come upon thee, and I do not declare it to thee.' 10 And David saith unto Jonathan, 'Who doth declare to me? or what 'if' thy father doth answer thee sharply?'

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:1-10

Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:1-10

(Read 1 Samuel 20:1-10)

The trials David met with, prepared him for future advancement. Thus the Lord deals with those whom he prepares unto glory. He does not put them into immediate possession of the kingdom, but leads them to it through much tribulation, which he makes the means of fitting them for it. Let them not murmur at his gracious appointment, nor distrust his care; but let them look forward with joyful expectation to the crown which is laid up for them. Sometimes it appears to us that there is but a step between us and death; at all times it may be so, and we should prepare for the event. But though dangers appear most threatening, we cannot die till the purpose of God concerning us is accomplished; nor till we have served our generation according to his will, if we are believers. Jonathan generously offers David his services. This is true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us, Ask, and it shall be done for you; and we must testify our love to him, by keeping his commandments.