1 Samuel 20:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David appeals to their covenant and even offers to be killed by Jonathan himself if he is truly guilty.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:8 Mean?
David grounds his whole appeal in the covenant of the LORD that he and Jonathan had sworn. This is no casual friendship but a bond made before God, and David calls Jonathan to honor it. He even bares his neck: if I am guilty, you strike me, do not hand me to your father.
The plea reveals a conscience at rest and a trust without limit. David would rather die at the hand of a friend than be betrayed to an enemy. Such confidence rests on a covenant sealed by the LORD himself, and it points to the surer covenant in which the guilty find not the sword but mercy.
1 Samuel 20:8 in the Original Language
berith (בְּרִית), 'covenant' -- a binding, sacred bond sealed before God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:8
What does 1 Samuel 20:8 mean?
David appeals to their covenant and even offers to be killed by Jonathan himself if he is truly guilty.