Jonathan demonstrates steadfast love and warns David of his father’s plans, showing that loyalty to God and His chosen servant transcends earthly loyalties.
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?” (v.9). Within this moment, Jonathan is reassuring his dear friend David that he will warn him if King Saul, Jonathan’s own father, finalizes any plan of harm against him. At this time in Israel’s history (circa 1010 BC), Saul was serving as Israel’s first king, having been appointed after the elders demanded a monarch (1 Samuel 8:19). Although Saul started out well, his reign descended into jealousy and impulsiveness. It was during this tense era that Jonathan and David forged a deep covenant of friendship, sealed by loyalty that transcended royal loyalties and family bonds.
This verse highlights Jonathan’s remarkable commitment to love and faithfulness. Jonathan, as the crown prince, had every earthly right to consider David a threat; instead, he chose to align himself with what God was doing through David. His words, “Far be it from you!” show a personal vow that he would never stand by if he learned of any scheme to bring David harm. Jonathan’s unwavering promise to act on David’s behalf trustingly mirrors the kind of friendship Jesus later praised—one marked by selfless devotion (John 15:13).
The depth of Jonathan’s resolve also underscores God’s orchestration in preserving David, who had already been anointed to be Israel’s future king (1 Samuel 16:13). From a historical perspective, Jonathan’s stance sets him apart as a model of sacrificial loyalty. Even though Jonathan was Saul’s son, he perceived that serving the purposes of the Lord outweighed personal entitlement or ambition. The verse offers modern readers a powerful glimpse of godly devotion—a reminder that true friendship, grounded in faith and integrity, often demands courage and willful prioritizing of others above our own interests.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 20:9 meaning
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?” (v.9). Within this moment, Jonathan is reassuring his dear friend David that he will warn him if King Saul, Jonathan’s own father, finalizes any plan of harm against him. At this time in Israel’s history (circa 1010 BC), Saul was serving as Israel’s first king, having been appointed after the elders demanded a monarch (1 Samuel 8:19). Although Saul started out well, his reign descended into jealousy and impulsiveness. It was during this tense era that Jonathan and David forged a deep covenant of friendship, sealed by loyalty that transcended royal loyalties and family bonds.
This verse highlights Jonathan’s remarkable commitment to love and faithfulness. Jonathan, as the crown prince, had every earthly right to consider David a threat; instead, he chose to align himself with what God was doing through David. His words, “Far be it from you!” show a personal vow that he would never stand by if he learned of any scheme to bring David harm. Jonathan’s unwavering promise to act on David’s behalf trustingly mirrors the kind of friendship Jesus later praised—one marked by selfless devotion (John 15:13).
The depth of Jonathan’s resolve also underscores God’s orchestration in preserving David, who had already been anointed to be Israel’s future king (1 Samuel 16:13). From a historical perspective, Jonathan’s stance sets him apart as a model of sacrificial loyalty. Even though Jonathan was Saul’s son, he perceived that serving the purposes of the Lord outweighed personal entitlement or ambition. The verse offers modern readers a powerful glimpse of godly devotion—a reminder that true friendship, grounded in faith and integrity, often demands courage and willful prioritizing of others above our own interests.