1 Samuel 20:31 Meaning and Explanation
“For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Saul reveals his motive, fearing for Jonathan's throne, and orders David brought to be put to death.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:31 Mean?
Now Saul names his true fear: as long as David lives, Jonathan's kingship is not secure. He commands that David be fetched and killed, he shall surely die. The whole conflict stands exposed as a struggle to cling to a throne God has already promised to another.
Saul fights to preserve for his son a kingdom the LORD has withdrawn. But no scheme can hold what God has reassigned, nor establish what he has not. Jonathan, tellingly, does not want the throne his father kills to keep. The crown grasped by murder cannot stand; the kingdom given by God needs no bloodshed to secure it.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:31
What does 1 Samuel 20:31 mean?
Saul reveals his motive, fearing for Jonathan's throne, and orders David brought to be put to death.