1 Samuel 20:2

“Far from it!” Jonathan replied. “You will not die. Indeed, my father does nothing, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This cannot be true!”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jonathan speaks to David in direct response to David’s question about Saul’s intent to kill him. This exchange occurs immediately after David flees to Jonathan following his time in Naioth at Ramah.

The words — The Hebrew term חָלִילָה (ḥālîlāh) functions as a strong emphatic negation meaning “far be it” or “by no means.” Jonathan pairs it with the claim that his father does nothing significant without informing him, grounding his refusal to believe David’s fear.

The thread — This dynamic of hidden divine plans and parental concealment parallels Samuel’s prior warning about Saul’s coming in 1 Samuel 9:15. The motif of certain revelation and denied wrongdoing also surfaces in John 17:8 and Genesis 44:7.

Why it lands — The text records Jonathan’s logical deduction based on his father’s consistent communication habits, leading him to dismiss David’s fear as impossible. The passage asks readers to observe how human certainty relies on past patterns while recognizing that divine action does not always follow established routines.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

Cross-references

1 Samuel 9:15 Now on the day before Saul’s arrival, the LORD had revealed to Samuel,
John 17:8 For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.
Genesis 44:7 “Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing.
Joshua 22:29 Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from Him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God, which stands before His tabernacle.”
Joshua 24:16 The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!
1 Samuel 14:45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
1 Samuel 20:12 and Jonathan said, “By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you?
Isaiah 50:5 The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.
Psalms 40:6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.
Luke 20:16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”