1 Samuel 20:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jonathan begins a solemn oath before the LORD, promising to test Saul and report what he learns.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:12 Mean?
Jonathan opens his promise as a prayer, calling on the LORD God of Israel as his witness. He pledges to probe his father's mood over the coming days and, if the news is good, to make sure David hears it. The oath is incomplete in this verse, building toward the self-curse of the next.
To swear before the LORD is to invite God into the friendship as guarantor. Jonathan does not merely give his word to David; he stakes it before heaven. This is how covenant love anchors itself, not in shifting feelings but in the unchanging God who hears every vow.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:12
What does 1 Samuel 20:12 mean?
Jonathan begins a solemn oath before the LORD, promising to test Saul and report what he learns.