1 Samuel 20:9
New International Version
“Never!” Jonathan said. “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?”

New Living Translation
“Never!” Jonathan exclaimed. “You know that if I had the slightest notion my father was planning to kill you, I would tell you at once.”

English Standard Version
And Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you?”

Berean Standard Bible
“Never!” Jonathan replied. “If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you?”

King James Bible
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

New King James Version
But Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I knew certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you?”

New American Standard Bible
Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I in fact learn that my father has decided to inflict harm on you, would I not inform you?”

NASB 1995
Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?”

NASB 1977
And Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I should indeed come to know that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?”

Amplified Bible
Jonathan said, “Far be it from [happening to] you! In fact, if I indeed learn that my father has decided to harm you, would I not tell you about it?”

Christian Standard Bible
“No! ” Jonathan responded. “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn’t I tell you about it? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“No!” Jonathan responded. “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?”

American Standard Version
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

Contemporary English Version
"Don't worry," Jonathan said. "If I find out that my father wants to kill you, I'll certainly let you know."

English Revised Version
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jonathan answered, "That's unthinkable! If I knew for sure that my father had decided to harm you, I would have told you about it."

Good News Translation
"Don't even think such a thing!" Jonathan answered. "If I knew for sure that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?"

International Standard Version
"Nonsense!" Jonathan replied. "If I actually knew that my father intended evil against you, wouldn't I tell you about it?"

Majority Standard Bible
?Never!? Jonathan replied. ?If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you??

NET Bible
Jonathan said, "Far be it from you to suggest this! If I were at all aware that my father had decided to harm you, wouldn't I tell you about it?"

New Heart English Bible
Jonathan said, "Far be it from you; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then wouldn't I tell you that?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil is determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

World English Bible
Jonathan said, “Far be it from you; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then wouldn’t I tell you that?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jonathan says, “Far be it from you! For I certainly do not know that the evil has been determined by my father to come on you, and I do not declare it to you.”

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jonathan will say, Far be it to thee: that if knowing, I shall know that evil was finished with my father to come upon thee, shall I not announce it to thee?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan said: Far be this from thee: for if I should certainly know that evil is determined by my father against thee, I could do no otherwise than tell thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jonathan said: “May this be far from you. For certainly, if I ever realized that any wickedness was determined by my father against you, I would not be able to do anything other than report it to you.”

New American Bible
But Jonathan answered: “Not I! If ever I find out that my father is determined to harm you, I will certainly let you know.”

New Revised Standard Version
Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! If I knew that it was decided by my father that evil should come upon you, would I not tell you?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jonathan said, God forbid; for if I knew of a certainty that evil were determined by my father to come upon you, then I would come to you and tell you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jonathan said: “God forbid it to you, because if I will know that evil is determined from the presence of my father, I shall come to you and I shall show you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jonathan said: 'Far be it from thee; for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan said, That be far from thee: for if I surely know that evil is determined by my father to come upon thee, although it should not be against thy cities, I will tell thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan Helps David
8Therefore deal faithfully with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?” 9“Never!” Jonathan replied. “If I ever found out that my father had evil intentions against you, would I not tell you?”

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:3-4
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. / And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

1 Samuel 19:1-2
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, / 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 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 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.

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.

Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Genesis 31:49
It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.

Exodus 33:11
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

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.”

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.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jonathan said, Far be it from you: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then would not I tell it you?

then would

1 Samuel 20:38,42
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master…

1 Samuel 19:2
But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

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Certainty Decided Declare Designing Determined Evil Harm Indeed Jonathan Learn Thought Word Wouldn't
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














Never!
The Hebrew word here is "ḥālîlâ," which conveys a strong sense of prohibition or rejection. It is often used to express a moral or ethical impossibility. Jonathan's use of this word underscores his deep commitment to David and his moral integrity. In the context of ancient Israel, where loyalty to one's family was paramount, Jonathan's emphatic rejection of any harm coming to David highlights his understanding of divine justice and covenant loyalty, which transcends even familial bonds.

Jonathan replied
Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is a pivotal figure in this narrative. His name in Hebrew, "Yehonatan," means "Yahweh has given," reflecting his role as a God-given friend and ally to David. Jonathan's reply is not just a response but a testament to his character. In a time when royal succession was often fraught with intrigue and betrayal, Jonathan's loyalty to David, the anointed future king, is a profound act of faith and courage. His actions exemplify the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself, even at great personal cost.

If I ever found out
This phrase indicates a conditional situation, emphasizing Jonathan's vigilance and proactive stance. The Hebrew root "yādaʿ" (to know) suggests a deep, intimate knowledge. Jonathan is not passively waiting for events to unfold; he is actively seeking to discern his father's intentions. This reflects the biblical theme of wisdom and discernment, where believers are called to be watchful and wise, understanding the times and acting accordingly.

my father
Saul, Jonathan's father, is the reigning king of Israel. The mention of "my father" highlights the tension between Jonathan's familial loyalty and his covenant with David. In the ancient Near Eastern context, allegiance to one's father and king was expected. However, Jonathan's relationship with David, rooted in a covenant before God, takes precedence. This illustrates the biblical teaching that our ultimate allegiance is to God and His purposes, even above earthly ties.

has evil intentions against you
The phrase "evil intentions" comes from the Hebrew "rā‘ah," meaning harm or wickedness. Jonathan is acutely aware of the potential for sin and malice in human hearts, including his father's. This awareness is crucial in the biblical narrative, where the battle between good and evil is a central theme. Jonathan's concern for David's safety reflects the biblical call to protect and care for one another, recognizing the reality of evil in the world.

would I not tell you?
This rhetorical question underscores Jonathan's commitment to transparency and truthfulness. The Hebrew construction implies certainty and assurance. Jonathan's promise to inform David of any danger is a powerful testament to his integrity and faithfulness. In the biblical context, this reflects the importance of truth and trust in relationships, especially those bound by covenant. Jonathan's willingness to communicate openly with David is an example of the biblical ideal of speaking the truth in love, fostering trust and unity among God's people.

(9) Far be it from thee.--Vulg., absit hoc a te. This strong expression bears emphatic testimony to Jonathan's implicit belief in his loved friend's stainless loyalty. He indignantly refuses to take his life, or even to allow that life to be touched by his father. The sentences here are broken ones; the next one following is left, in the Hebrew, incomplete. They betoken the agitation and deep feeling of the chivalrous, indignant speaker.

Verse 9. - Far be it, the word rendered God forbid in ver. 2. It indignantly rejects the idea of David having committed any crime. The rest of the verse is an incomplete sentence: "If I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, and did not tell thee -" These broken sentences have great force in the original, as signs of intense feeling (comp. Luke 19:42). We must complete the sentence mentally in some such way as the Syriac: "then Jehovah do so to me, and more also."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Never!”
חָלִ֣ילָה (ḥā·lî·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

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

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I ever found out
יָדֹ֣עַ (yā·ḏō·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3045: To know

my father
אָבִי֙ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

has evil
הָרָעָ֜ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

intentions
כָלְתָ֨ה (ḵā·lə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

against you,
עָלֶ֔יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

would I not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

tell you?”
אַגִּ֥יד (’ag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:9 Jonathan said Far be it from you (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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