1 Samuel 20:11
New International Version
“Come,” Jonathan said, “let’s go out into the field.” So they went there together.

New Living Translation
“Come out to the field with me,” Jonathan replied. And they went out there together.

English Standard Version
And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So they both went out into the field.

Berean Standard Bible
“Come,” he replied, “let us go out to the field.” So the two of them went out into the field,

King James Bible
And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

New King James Version
And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out into the field.

New American Standard Bible
Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let’s go out to the field.” So both of them went out to the field.

NASB 1995
Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out to the field.

NASB 1977
And Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out to the field.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out to the field.

Amplified Bible
Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field [to talk].” So they went out to the field.

Christian Standard Bible
He answered David, “Come on, let’s go out to the countryside.” So both of them went out to the countryside.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He answered David, “Come on, let’s go out to the field.” So both of them went out to the field.

American Standard Version
And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

Contemporary English Version
"Let's go out to this field, and I'll tell you," Jonathan answered. When they got there,

English Revised Version
And Jonathan said unto David, Come and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jonathan said, "Let's go out into the country." So they went out into the country.

Good News Translation
"Let's go out to the fields," Jonathan answered. So they went,

International Standard Version
Then Jonathan told David, "Come, let's go into the field." So the two of them went into the field.

Majority Standard Bible
“Come,” he replied, “let us go out to the field.” So the two of them went out into the field,

NET Bible
Jonathan said to David, "Come on. Let's go out to the field." When the two of them had gone out into the field,

New Heart English Bible
Jonathan said to David, "Come, and let us go out into the field." They both went out into the field.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jonathan said to David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

World English Bible
Jonathan said to David, “Come! Let’s go out into the field.” They both went out into the field.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jonathan says to David, “Come, and we go out into the field”; and both of them go out into the field.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jonathan saith unto David, 'Come, and we go out into the field;' and they go out both of them into the field.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jonathan will say to David, Come, and we will go forth to the field. And they two went forth to the field.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan said to David: Come and let us go out into the field. And when they were both of them gone out into the field,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” And when they both had gone out into the field,

New American Bible
Jonathan replied to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” When they were out in the open country together,

New Revised Standard Version
Jonathan replied to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So they both went out into the field.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jonathan said to David, Come, and let us go out into the field. So they both went out into the field.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jonathan said to David: “Come, we will go out to the field.” And they both went out to the field
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jonathan said unto David: 'Come and let us go out into the field.' And they went out both of them into the field.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan said to David, Go, and abide in the field. And they went out both into the field.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
10Then David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 11“Come,” he replied, “let us go out to the field.” So the two of them went out into the field, 12and Jonathan said, “By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you?…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 19:2
so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.

1 Samuel 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

2 Samuel 1:26
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

John 15:13-15
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. / You are My friends if you do what I command you. / No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jonathan said to David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

Jump to Previous
Country David Jonathan Let's Open Together
Jump to Next
Country David Jonathan Let's Open Together
1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














Come
The Hebrew word for "come" is "לְכָה" (lekah), which is an imperative form, indicating a command or invitation. In the context of ancient Israel, such an invitation often implied a sense of urgency or importance. Jonathan's use of this word suggests a deep concern for David's safety and the need for a private conversation away from potential eavesdroppers. This reflects the urgency and gravity of the situation, as Jonathan seeks to protect his friend from his father Saul's wrath.

Jonathan replied
Jonathan, whose name in Hebrew is "יְהוֹנָתָן" (Yehonatan), meaning "Yahweh has given," is a pivotal figure in this narrative. His response to David is not just a simple reply but a demonstration of his loyalty and covenant friendship. Jonathan's character is marked by faithfulness and integrity, qualities that are highly esteemed in the biblical narrative. His actions here are a testament to the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself, as he puts David's well-being above his own familial ties.

let us go out to the field
The phrase "let us go out to the field" indicates a deliberate choice to seek privacy. In ancient times, fields were often places of solitude, away from the prying eyes and ears of the city. This decision underscores the need for confidentiality in their discussion, highlighting the danger David is in. The field, in biblical symbolism, can also represent a place of testing and revelation, as seen in other scriptural accounts. Here, it becomes a setting for the unfolding of God's providential care and the deepening of Jonathan and David's covenant relationship.

So the two of them went out to the field
This action signifies unity and mutual trust between Jonathan and David. The Hebrew verb "וַיֵּצְאוּ" (vayetze'u), meaning "they went out," conveys a sense of purpose and determination. The narrative emphasizes their solidarity in the face of adversity. Historically, this moment is crucial as it sets the stage for the reaffirmation of their covenant, a bond that transcends personal and political conflicts. Their journey to the field is not just a physical movement but a spiritual and relational journey, reflecting the biblical theme of friendship and loyalty under God's guidance.

Verses 11-13. - Let us go out into the field. David's question had shown Jonathan that there were grave difficulties in their way, and so he proposes that they should walk into the country, to be able to talk with one another more freely, and concert measures for the future. And there Jonathan binds himself with a solemn oath, if Saul's intentions be good, to send a trusty messenger to inform David, but if there be danger, then to come and tell David himself. O Lord God. With a few MSS. we must supply the usual formula of an oath: "As Jehovah the God of Israel liveth." About tomorrow any time, or the third day. This cumbrous translation arose out of the mistaken idea that the word rendered tomorrow could only be used in that limited sense. Strictly it signifies the morning, and is applicable to any morrow. Jonathan fixes one time, and one only, and the passage should be rendered, "By this time on the third morrow." The meeting was to be on the morrow after the second day of the festival, and so on the third morrow after the conversation. The whole may be translated, "As Jehovah the God of Israel liveth, when by this time on the third morrow I have searched my father, and, behold, there be good for David, if then I send not to thee, and uncover thy ear, Jehovah do so and much more to Jonathan." The alternative case is then put, and if the news be evil, Jonathan undertakes himself to be the messenger, and David is to provide for his safety by flight. The concluding prayer that Jehovah might be with David as he had been with Saul contains the same presentiment of David attaining to great power and dignity which is more directly expressed in the following verses.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Come,”
לְכָ֖ה (lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

he
יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙ (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

replied,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“let us go out
וְנֵצֵ֣א (wə·nê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to the field.”
הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

So the two
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

of them went out
וַיֵּצְא֥וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

into the field,
הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:11 Jonathan said to David Come and let (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:10
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