1 Samuel 20:12-17
Easy-to-Read Version
12 Jonathan said to David, “I make this promise before the Lord, the God of Israel. I promise that I will learn how my father feels about you. I will learn if he feels good about you or not. Then, in three days, I will send a message to you in the field. 13 If my father wants to hurt you, I will let you know. I will let you leave in safety. May the Lord punish me if I don’t do this. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father. 14-15 As long as I live, show me the same kindness the Lord does. And if I die, never stop showing this kindness to my family. Be faithful to us, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies[a] from the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made this agreement with David and his family, and he asked the Lord to hold them responsible for keeping it.[b]
17 Jonathan loved David as himself, and because of this love, he asked David to repeat this agreement for himself.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Samuel 20:14 enemies Or “descendants.”
- 1 Samuel 20:16 The Hebrew text here is unclear, and several different translations are possible.
1 Samuel 20:41-42
Easy-to-Read Version
41 When the boy left, David came out from his hiding place on the other side of the hill. David gave a formal greeting by bowing to the ground three times to show his respect for Jonathan. But then David and Jonathan kissed each other and cried together. It was a very sad goodbye, especially for David.
42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace. We have taken an oath in the Lord’s name to be friends forever. We have asked the Lord to be a witness between us and our descendants forever.”
Read full chapterCopyright © 2006 by Bible League International