Bible Strands
1 Samuel 20:3
But David again vowed, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or he will be grieved.’ As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to Jonathan during a tense confrontation after Jonathan questions Saul’s silence. David responds to Jonathan’s disbelief by reaffirming his fear of Saul’s intent to kill him.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יִּשָּׁבַ֨ע (va/i.yi.sha') means "and he swore an oath," marking David’s solemn appeal. The term ע֜וֹד (od) translates as "again," emphasizing this is his second oath in the conversation.
The thread — This oath formula echoes Deut 6:13 and parallels the protective invocation in 1 Sam 25:26. David’s fear of imminent death aligns with his later realization in 1 Sam 27:1.
Why it lands — The text reports David’s sworn claim that only a step separates him from death, establishing his vulnerability. It demands the reader acknowledge the genuine peril David faces and the necessity of Jonathan’s intervention.
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 David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 6:13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
- 1 Samuel 25:26 Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has held you back from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, may your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.
- 1 Samuel 27:1 David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”
- 2 Kings 2:6 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.
- 1 Samuel 1:26 “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.
- 2 Kings 2:2 and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
- 2 Kings 2:4 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
- Deuteronomy 28:66 So your life will hang in doubt before you, and you will be afraid night and day, never certain of survival.
- 1 Samuel 17:55 As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”
- 2 Samuel 15:21 But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”