Bible Strands
1 Samuel 20:32
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jonathan addresses his father Saul immediately after Saul orders David’s execution.
The words — The Hebrew לָּמָה (la.mah) literally means "why?" and anchors Jonathan’s two rhetorical questions that demand a reason for the death sentence.
The thread — This structural challenge to unjust authority appears in Genesis 31:36 when Jacob questions Laban’s accusations, and in Matthew 27:23 when Pilate asks what evil Jesus has committed.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to demand proof before endorsing a killing, forcing an examination of how loyalty and justice collide when power issues an unjust command.
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 Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:23 “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
- 1 Samuel 19:5 He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
- Genesis 31:36 Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?
- Luke 23:22 A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”
- 1 Samuel 18:11 and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
- 1 Samuel 19:10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.
- 1 Samuel 20:7 If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he is enraged, you will know he has evil intentions.
- Proverbs 22:24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
- Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.
- Proverbs 31:8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.