This verse reveals Jonathan’s plan to test his father’s attitude toward David.
Jonathan devises a plan to determine King Saul’s intentions toward David when he says to him, “If he says, ‘It is good,’ your servant will be safe; but if he is very angry, know that evil has been determined by him” (v.7). Here, Jonathan imagines a test: if Saul reacts calmly to David’s absence, Jonathan can be confident that Saul harbors no intent to harm David. But if Saul’s anger flares, it foreshadows the king’s resolute decision to do David harm. This situation reflects Jonathan’s commitment to his covenantal friendship with David, as he is willing to risk angering his father in order to preserve David’s life. Jonathan, the eldest son of Israel’s first king (Saul ruled sometime around 1050-1010 BC), understands the gravity of this plan because even the slightest trigger might confirm David’s greatest fears.
The setting of this encounter likely takes place near Gibeah, a town located in the territory of Benjamin. Gibeah served as King Saul’s home and administrative center during much of his reign. By employing a simple relational test, Jonathan introduces the possibility of exposing the hidden motives of the king in a way that seems indirect but could reveal the truth plainly. This strategy recognizes the importance of reading circumstances as clear indicators of either peace or danger, much like other passages remind believers to discern the times and seasons (Matthew 16:3).
Spiritually, this verse invites readers to weigh the signs God sets before them. Jonathan’s words, “If he says, ‘It is good,’ … but if he is very angry” (v.7), show us how situational warnings can alert us to impending trouble. Jesus Himself taught His followers to watch for signs and to respond in faithfulness (Matthew 24:42). Jonathan models a willingness to confront possible conflict for the sake of righteous loyalty. This call toward wise discernment and loyalty to others echoes throughout Scripture, ultimately pointing forward to the sacrificial friendship Jesus offers by laying down His life for those He loves (John 15:13).
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1 Samuel 20:7 meaning
Jonathan devises a plan to determine King Saul’s intentions toward David when he says to him, “If he says, ‘It is good,’ your servant will be safe; but if he is very angry, know that evil has been determined by him” (v.7). Here, Jonathan imagines a test: if Saul reacts calmly to David’s absence, Jonathan can be confident that Saul harbors no intent to harm David. But if Saul’s anger flares, it foreshadows the king’s resolute decision to do David harm. This situation reflects Jonathan’s commitment to his covenantal friendship with David, as he is willing to risk angering his father in order to preserve David’s life. Jonathan, the eldest son of Israel’s first king (Saul ruled sometime around 1050-1010 BC), understands the gravity of this plan because even the slightest trigger might confirm David’s greatest fears.
The setting of this encounter likely takes place near Gibeah, a town located in the territory of Benjamin. Gibeah served as King Saul’s home and administrative center during much of his reign. By employing a simple relational test, Jonathan introduces the possibility of exposing the hidden motives of the king in a way that seems indirect but could reveal the truth plainly. This strategy recognizes the importance of reading circumstances as clear indicators of either peace or danger, much like other passages remind believers to discern the times and seasons (Matthew 16:3).
Spiritually, this verse invites readers to weigh the signs God sets before them. Jonathan’s words, “If he says, ‘It is good,’ … but if he is very angry” (v.7), show us how situational warnings can alert us to impending trouble. Jesus Himself taught His followers to watch for signs and to respond in faithfulness (Matthew 24:42). Jonathan models a willingness to confront possible conflict for the sake of righteous loyalty. This call toward wise discernment and loyalty to others echoes throughout Scripture, ultimately pointing forward to the sacrificial friendship Jesus offers by laying down His life for those He loves (John 15:13).