David’s question serves as an enduring reminder to seek trustworthy counsel in times of uncertainty.
David, who would later become King of Israel around 1010-970 BC, stands in a precarious position before King Saul, Jonathan’s father, who reigned approximately from 1049-1007 BC (though these dates are debated among scholars). Jonathan himself, likely born in the latter half of Saul’s reign, is bound to David by a covenant of loyal friendship (1 Samuel 18:3). In this tense moment, “Then David said to Jonathan, ‘Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?’” (v.10). This question arises because David wonders how he will receive the vital information about Saul’s reaction to his continued presence at court. David seeks assurance for his personal safety, aware that Saul has been unpredictable and hostile toward him in previous chapters (1 Samuel 18-19). The verse highlights David’s vulnerability and his trust in Jonathan’s faithfulness.
The phrase “Who will tell me” (v.10) reflects David’s desperation for a secure way to receive the truth. He knows Jonathan stands in a difficult position, caught between loyalty to his father and loyalty to his dear friend. The city of Gibeah, where Saul and his family reside, becomes a backdrop of potential hostility. Though the text does not explicitly name Gibeah here, we know from surrounding passages that it is Saul’s stronghold, located a few miles north of present-day Jerusalem. David’s question underscores how dangerous this environment has become, pushing him to devise a hidden strategy with Jonathan so that he might survive the king’s wrath.
By asking “if your father answers you harshly” (v.10), David is really probing whether Saul’s anger continues to burn against him, or if the king’s attitude has cooled. This reflects many situations in Scripture where human fear and divine faith intersect; David’s reliance on Jonathan’s words can be linked to the New Testament principle of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Jonathan’s willingness to share the outcome, no matter how grim, reveals a sacrificial love that ultimately foreshadows the steadfast companionship Jesus offers to those who trust in Him (John 15:13).
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1 Samuel 20:10 meaning
David, who would later become King of Israel around 1010-970 BC, stands in a precarious position before King Saul, Jonathan’s father, who reigned approximately from 1049-1007 BC (though these dates are debated among scholars). Jonathan himself, likely born in the latter half of Saul’s reign, is bound to David by a covenant of loyal friendship (1 Samuel 18:3). In this tense moment, “Then David said to Jonathan, ‘Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?’” (v.10). This question arises because David wonders how he will receive the vital information about Saul’s reaction to his continued presence at court. David seeks assurance for his personal safety, aware that Saul has been unpredictable and hostile toward him in previous chapters (1 Samuel 18-19). The verse highlights David’s vulnerability and his trust in Jonathan’s faithfulness.
The phrase “Who will tell me” (v.10) reflects David’s desperation for a secure way to receive the truth. He knows Jonathan stands in a difficult position, caught between loyalty to his father and loyalty to his dear friend. The city of Gibeah, where Saul and his family reside, becomes a backdrop of potential hostility. Though the text does not explicitly name Gibeah here, we know from surrounding passages that it is Saul’s stronghold, located a few miles north of present-day Jerusalem. David’s question underscores how dangerous this environment has become, pushing him to devise a hidden strategy with Jonathan so that he might survive the king’s wrath.
By asking “if your father answers you harshly” (v.10), David is really probing whether Saul’s anger continues to burn against him, or if the king’s attitude has cooled. This reflects many situations in Scripture where human fear and divine faith intersect; David’s reliance on Jonathan’s words can be linked to the New Testament principle of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Jonathan’s willingness to share the outcome, no matter how grim, reveals a sacrificial love that ultimately foreshadows the steadfast companionship Jesus offers to those who trust in Him (John 15:13).