Translations
Modern
…and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
Traditional
But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
Literal
And you shall not cut off your loving devotion from my house even to forever, not even when YHWH has cut off each man of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
Latin
…non auferes misericordiam tuam a domo mea usque in sempiternum, quando eradicaverit Dominus inimicos David, unumquemque de terra: auferat Jonathan de domo sua, et requirat Dominus de manu inimicorum David.
Original
Hebrew
English
…and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
Notes
cut off your loving devotion from my household: David later cared for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, like his own son (2 Samuel 9:1–13).
loving devotion: The Hebrew word ḥesed refers to loyal love and faithfulness to a covenant (see study note on 1 Samuel 20:8). Jonathan reminded David to keep his commitment to him when David became king. Jonathan’s concern was reasonable. In the ancient world, a new king might kill members of the former royal family to remove rivals to the throne. Saul later made a similar request of David (1 Samuel 24:21).
Theme notes and profiles
David Jeroboam I Jonathan Saul David's Response to Unfriendly Leaders
Events
People
David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ
Glossary
Altar Covenant David Kindness Samuel, Books of First and Second