Bible Strands
1 Samuel 20:31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Saul speaks to Jonathan immediately after accusing him of siding with David, ordering Jonathan to fetch David so he can execute him.
The words — The phrase כָּל־הַיָּמִים (khol-hayyamim) literally means “all the days,” marking David’s survival as a permanent barrier to Jonathan’s future. The verb חַי (chai) translates to “he lives,” tying the threat directly to David’s continued existence.
The thread — This demand follows Saul’s earlier failed attempt to kill David (1 Samuel 19:11) and reverses his previous oath sparing David’s life (1 Samuel 19:6). It directly clashes with Jonathan’s covenant loyalty to David (1 Samuel 20:8).
Why it lands — The verse presents a binary choice: Jonathan must abandon his covenant or forfeit his royal inheritance. It requires the reader to see that political succession and faithful obedience are mutually exclusive under Saul’s rule.
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
For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 19:6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”
- 1 Samuel 20:8 Therefore show kindness to your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”
- 1 Samuel 19:11 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”
- 1 Samuel 26:16 This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”
- 2 Samuel 19:28 For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”
- Psalms 79:11 May the groans of the captives reach You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.