1 Samuel 20:32
New International Version
“Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father.

New Living Translation
“But why should he be put to death?” Jonathan asked his father. “What has he done?”

English Standard Version
Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

Berean Standard Bible
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”

King James Bible
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

New King James Version
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?”

New American Standard Bible
But Jonathan replied to his father Saul and said to him, “Why must he be put to death? What has he done?”

NASB 1995
But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

NASB 1977
But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

Legacy Standard Bible
But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

Amplified Bible
Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why must he be put to death? What has he done?”

Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan answered his father back, “Why is he to be killed? What has he done? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan answered his father back: “Why is he to be killed? What has he done?”

American Standard Version
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done?

Contemporary English Version
"Why do you want to kill David?" Jonathan asked. "What has he done?"

English Revised Version
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jonathan asked his father, "Why should he be killed? What has he done?"

Good News Translation
"Why should he die?" Jonathan replied. "What has he done?"

International Standard Version
Jonathan asked his father Saul, "Why should he be killed? What did he do?"

Majority Standard Bible
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”

NET Bible
Jonathan responded to his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"

New Heart English Bible
Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, Why shall he be slain? what hath he done?

World English Bible
Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jonathan answers his father Saul and says to him, “Why is he put to death? What has he done?”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jonathan answereth Saul his father, and saith unto him, 'Why is he put to death? what hath he done?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jonathan will answer Saul his father and say to him, Wherefore shall he die? What did he?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan answering Saul his father, said: Why shall he die: what hath he done?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jonathan, answering his father Saul, said: “Why should he die? What has he done?”

New American Bible
But Jonathan argued with his father Saul: “Why should he die? What has he done?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jonathan answered and said to Saul his father, Why should he be put to death? What has he done?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jonathan answered and said to Shaul his father: “Why should he die? What has he done?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him: 'Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan answered Saul, Why is he to die? What has he done?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” 32“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” 33Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 19:4-5
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 24:11-12
See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. / May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 25:28-31
Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. / And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. / When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel, ...

1 Samuel 26:9-11
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

2 Samuel 14:32-33
“Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.” / So Joab went and told the king, and David summoned Absalom, who came to him and bowed facedown before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:4-7
But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” / Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines. / You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you! ...

2 Kings 5:13
Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?”

Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Jeremiah 26:16
Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God!”

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, Why shall he be slain? what has he done?

Wherefore

1 Samuel 19:5
For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Proverbs 24:11,12
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; …

Proverbs 31:8,9
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction…

what hath

Matthew 27:23
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Luke 23:22
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

cast

1 Samuel 18:11
And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

1 Samuel 19:10,11
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night…

Proverbs 22:24
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

whereby

1 Samuel 20:7
If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

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Death Jonathan Saul Slain Wherefore
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Death Jonathan Saul Slain Wherefore
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














Why must he be put to death?
This phrase is a poignant question posed by Jonathan, the son of King Saul, in defense of his friend David. The Hebrew root for "put to death" is "mûth," which conveys the ultimate penalty and finality of death. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the death penalty was reserved for severe transgressions against God's law. Jonathan's question challenges the justice of such a sentence for David, who has been loyal and faithful. This reflects Jonathan's courage and moral integrity, standing up for righteousness even against his own father, the king. It is a call to examine the motives behind our judgments and to seek God's justice rather than human retribution.

Jonathan replied
Jonathan's response is significant, as it demonstrates his loyalty and love for David, as well as his commitment to truth and justice. The Hebrew name "Jonathan" means "Yahweh has given," which is fitting as Jonathan acts as a divine instrument of protection for David. His reply is not just a defense of David but also an appeal to his father Saul's conscience. In the broader scriptural narrative, Jonathan's actions exemplify the biblical principle of standing for truth and righteousness, even when it is costly. His reply is a model of godly friendship and integrity.

What has he done?
This question underscores the innocence of David and the baselessness of Saul's hostility. The Hebrew word for "done" is "ʿāśâ," which means to act, accomplish, or produce. Jonathan is essentially asking for evidence of wrongdoing, highlighting the lack of any just cause for David's execution. This phrase invites readers to reflect on the importance of justice and the need for evidence before passing judgment. It also points to the theme of innocence suffering at the hands of unjust authority, a motif that resonates throughout the Bible and finds its ultimate expression in the life of Jesus Christ. Jonathan's question is a call to uphold truth and justice, reminding believers to seek God's wisdom in discerning right from wrong.

(32) And Jonathan answered.--Jonathan, remembering the effect of his quiet, earnest remonstrance on a previous occasion, again tried to deprecate his father's unreasoning jealous anger, but this time to no purpose. A paroxysm of madness seized Saul, and he grasped the long spear leaning by his side, and with hate and fury in his eye raised the great war weapon to strike down his son.

Verses 32-34. - When Jonathan pleaded mildly for his friend, Saul did not east, but "brandished" (see on 1 Samuel 18:11) his javelin at him, threatening to smite him. This fierce behaviour of his father filled Jonathan also with anger, and he arose, refused to partake of the meal, and went away in wrath. His indignation was roused not merely at his father having thus brandished his javelin in his face, for he was sitting close to Saul, but because he had cast shameful aspersions upon David in saying that he was a rebel, and deserved death. JONATHAN'S LAST MEETING WITH DAVID (vers. 35-42).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Why
לָ֥מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

must he be put to death?
יוּמַ֖ת (yū·maṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

Jonathan
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (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.
וַיַּ֙עַן֙ (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“What
מֶ֥ה (meh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

has he done?”
עָשָֽׂה׃ (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:32 Jonathan answered Saul his father and said (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:31
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