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1SAIntroC1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13C14C15C16C17C18C19C20C21C22C23C24C25C26C27C28C29C30C31

OET by section 1SA 20:1

1SA 20:1–20:42 ©

Yonatan helps David

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version 

20:1 Yonatan helps David

20Then David fled from Nayot near Ramah and went to Yonatan and asked, “What have I done? What did I do wrong? What sin has made your father so angry that he wants to take my life?”

2“Far from it,” Yonatan responded. “You won’t die. Listen, my father doesn’t do anything, big or small, without telling me. So why would my father hide this from me if it was his plan? No, you’re wrong.”

3“For sure, your father knows that you’ve taken a liking to me,” said David, “and he would have decided not to tell you so you wouldn’t be upset.” Then David made an oath again, “Indeed, as Yahweh is alive, and as your soul is alive, death is definitely only a step away from me.”

4“I’ll do anything for you—whatever you say,” Yonatan confirmed.

5“Listen, the new moon celebration is tomorrow, and I’ll definitely be expected to sit with the king to eat,” David told him. “But you should let me go, and I’ll hide myself in the countryside until the third evening.[ref] 6If your father misses me, then tell him, ‘David begged me to let him go to his home in Bethlehem, to join his clan for their yearly sacrifice.’ 7If your father says, ‘That’s fine,’ then your servant can relax. But if he gets really angry, you’ll know that he’s planning evil. 8If that’s the case, it’ll be up to you to do what’s right with your servant in terms of our agreement before Yahweh. If I’ve been disloyal to the king, kill me yourself—no need to drag me to him.

9Don’t even think of it,” Yonatan responded. “If I find out that my father has decided to harm you, I’ll certainly tell you.”

10“If your father does have a cruel plan, who’ll tell me?” David asked Yonatan.

11“Come with me out to the countryside.” Yonatan replied. So they went out to the countryside together 12and he promised David, “By Yahweh the God of Israel, I will definitely sound out my father around this time tomorrow, or soon after. If it looks good for you, then I’ll certainly send a message to let you know. 13But if he’s planning evil for you, may Yahweh punish me similarly or even worse if I don’t inform you, and send you away so you can leave in peace. And may Yahweh be with you just like he used to be with my father. 14But as long as I’m still alive, please keep our agreement of faithfulness before Yahweh so I won’t die. 15Don’t ever terminate that agreement of faithfulness towards my family, even when Yahweh destroys your enemies wherever they are.[ref] 16So Yonatan made a multi-generational agreement with David, adding, “And may Yahweh punish David’s enemies.”

17Then Yonatan got David to promise again because he loved him as much as he loved his own life, 18and he told him, “The new moon celebration is tomorrow, and you’ll be missed because your seat will be empty. 19The following day, go to the place where you hid before and stay by the big rock. 20I’ll shoot three arrows to the side of it, as if trying to hit a target. 21Then I’ll send my boy to find the arrows. If I tell him that they’re on my side, then just as Yahweh lives it’ll be safe for you to come out. 22But if I tell the boy that they’re on the far side, go because Yahweh is sending you away. 23As for our pact, Yahweh will watch over us and our descendants.”

24So David hid himself in the countryside, and at the new moon celebrations, the king sat down to eat 25sitting at his usual seat by the wall. Yonatan sat opposite, and Abner sat beside Sha’ul. No one was sitting in David’s seat 26but Sha’ul didn’t say anything that day, thinking, “Something must have happened that made him ceremonially unclean.” 27However, the next day of the celebration when David was still missing, Sha’ul asked his son Yonatan, “Why didn’t Yishay’s son come to the meal yesterday or today?”

28David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem,” Yonatan answered. 29“He requested, ‘Please release me because our clan’s sacrifice will be in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I’ve found favour in your eyes, please let me slip away and go to see my brothers.’ That’s why he hasn’t come to the king’s table.”

30Sha’ul was furious at Yonatan and yelled at him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do you think that I don’t know that you’re taking the side of Yishay’s son? It’s to your detriment and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness, 31because as long as that son of Yishay stays alive on this earth, you and your kingdom will never be established. Now, send men and arrest him, because he’s on his way to the grave!”

32“Why should he be put to death?” Yonatan retorted. “What wrong has he done?”

33Then Sha’ul hurled his spear at him to kill him, and Yonatan knew then that his father had already determined to kill David. 34Yonatan angrily got up from the table. He didn’t eat any food that second day of the celebration—he was upset about David because his father had dishonoured him.[fn] 35So it was that the following morning, Yonatan went out to the countryside at the time agreed with David, taking a small boy with him. 36“Run ahead—find the arrows that I’m about to shoot,” he told his boy. The boy ran and he shot the arrow to go over his head. 37The boy went to where the arrow was, but Yonatan called out, “Isn’t the arrow further past you?” 38Then he added, “Hurry up! Don’t mess around.” So the boy picked up the arrow and brought it back to his master, 39but the boy didn’t realise what had just happened—only Yonatan and David knew. 40Then Yonatan gave his equipment to the boy and sent him back to the city.

41When the boy was gone, David came up from the side and dropped onto his knees, bowing three times with his face to the ground. Then they greeted each other with a kiss and cried together, although David cried the most. 42Then Yonatan told David, “Go in peace, because us two have made a pact together in Yahweh’s name, agreeing, ‘Yahweh will watch between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’ ”Then David set off and Yonatan went back to the city.


20:34 It’s not entirely clear who this ‘him’ was (as Sha’ul had seriously dishonoured Yonatan as well), so we’ve left it ambiguous (although David was certainly the last name mentioned).


20and_fled Dāvid from_Nāvīt[fn] in/on/at/with_Rāmāh and_came and_he/it_said to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before Yōnātān/(Jonathan) what have_I_done what my_perversity/evil/guilt/punishment and_what sin_my to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before I_will_show_you(ms) (cmp) [he_is]_seeking DOM life_my.
2And_he/it_said to_him/it never not you_will_die here mmm not[fn] father_my anything great or anything small and_not he_uncovers DOM ear_of_me and_why will_he_hide father_my from_me DOM the_thing the_this [is]_not this.
3And_swore again Dāvid and_he/it_said well_(know) he_knows I_will_show_you(ms) if/because_that I_have_found favour in/on/at/with_eyes_your and_he/it_said not let_him_know this Yōnātān lest he_should_be_grieved and_truly [by]_the_life of_YHWH and_lives soul_your if/because but_step between_me and_between the_death.
4And_he/it_said Yōnātān to Dāvid whatever it_will_say wish_you and_do for_you.
5and_he/it_said Dāvid to Yōnātān here a_new_moon [will_be]_tomorrow and_I really_(sit) I_will_sit with the_king to_eat and_let_go_me and_hide in/on/at/with_field until the_evening the_third.
6If actually_(miss) he_misses_me I_will_show_you(ms) and_say urgently_(ask) he_asked_for_himself from_me Dāvid to_run house_of food/grain/bread city_his if/because the_sacrifice the_days [is]_there to/from_all/each/any/every the_clan.
7If thus he_will_say good safety with_servant_your and_if really_(burn) it_will_burn to_him/it know if/because_that it_has_been_determined the_evil from_with_he.
8And_deal covenant_loyalty towards servant_your if/because in/on/at/with_covenant of_YHWH you_have_brought DOM servant_your with_you and_if there_[is] in/on/at/with_me iniquity kill_me you and_unto I_will_show_you(ms) to/for_what this bring_me.
9and_he/it_said Yōnātān/(Jonathan) never from_you if/because if ever_(know) I_will_know if/because_that it_has_been_determined the_evil from_with father_my to_come upon_you and_not DOM_her/it will_I_tell to/for_you(fs).
10and_he/it_said Dāvid to Yōnātān who will_he_tell to_me or what answers_you I_will_show_you(ms) hard.
11and_he/it_said Yōnātān to Dāvid come and_go_out the_field and_they_went_out both_of_them the_field.
12and_he/it_said Yōnātān to Dāvid YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) if/because_that I_will_sound_out DOM father_my by_this_time tomorrow the_third and_see/lo/see good [is]_to Dāvid and_not then will_I_send to_you and_disclose DOM ear_of_you.
13Thus may_he_do YHWH to_Yōnātān and_also may_he_add if/because it_will_make_good to father_my DOM the_harm on_you and_disclose DOM ear_of_you and_send_away_you and_go in_safety and_let_it_be YHWH with_you just_as he_has_been with father_my.
14And_not if still_I [am]_alive and_not you_will_do with_me the_covenant_loyalty of_YHWH and_not I_will_die.
15And_not you_must_cut_off DOM kindness_your from_with house_my until perpetuity and_not in/on/at/with_cuts_off YHWH DOM the_enemies of_Dāvid everyone from_under the_surface the_soil.
16And_made_a_covenant Yōnātān/(Jonathan) with the_house of_Dāvid and_call_toaccount YHWH at_hands of_the_enemies of_Dāvid.
17And_again Yōnātān to_swear DOM Dāvid in/on/at/with_love_his DOM_him/it if/because the_loving life_his_own loved_him.
18and_he/it_said to_him/it Yōnātān [will_be]_tomorrow a_new_moon and_missed if/because it_will_be_empty seat_your.
19And_third you_will_come_down exceedingly and_go to the_place where you_hid_yourself there in/on_day the_incident and_remain beside the_stone the_Ezel.
20And_I the_three the_arrows side_it I_will_shoot to_shot to_me at_target.
21And_see/lo/see I_will_send DOM the_boy go find DOM the_arrows if explicitly_(say) I_will_say to_the_boy there the_arrows of_you and_on_this_side bring_them and_come if/because safety to/for_yourself(m) and_there_is_no anything [by]_the_life of_YHWH.
22And_if thus I_will_say to_the_youth there the_arrows from_you and_beyond go if/because sent_away_you YHWH.
23And_the_matter which we_have_spoken I and_you here YHWH between_me and_between_you until perpetuity.
24and_hid Dāvid in_the_field and_he/it_was the_new_moon and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived the_king to[fn] the_food to_eat.
25And_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived the_king on seat_his as_time in/on/at/with_time to the_seat the_wall and_he/it_rose_up Yōnātān/(Jonathan) and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived ʼAⱱnēr by_side of_Shāʼūl and_empty the_place of_Dāvid.
26And_not he_spoke Shāʼūl anything in_the_day (the)_that if/because he_said [is]_chance it not [is]_clean he if/because not clean.
27and_he/it_was on_next_day the_new_moon the_second and_empty the_place of_Dāvid and_he/it_said Shāʼūl to Yōnātān his/its_son why not has_he_come the_son of_Yishay/(Jesse) both yesterday as_well_as the_day to the_meal.
28And_answered Yōnātān DOM Shāʼūl urgently_(ask) he_asked_for_himself Dāvid from_with_me to house_of wwww.
29And_he/it_said let_go_me please if/because a_sacrifice of_[the]_clan to/for_us in/on/at/with_city and_he he_has_commanded to_me my_brother/kindred and_now if I_have_found favour in/on/at/with_eyes_your let_me_slip_away please and_see DOM brothers_my on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in yes/correct/thus/so not he_has_come to the_table the_king’s.
30and_it_glowed/burned the_anger of_Shāʼūl in/on/at/with_Yōnātān and_he/it_said to_him/it Oh_son of_(the)_perverse_[woman] the_rebellious am_not do_I_know if/because_that [are]_choosing you with_son of_Yishay to_shame_your_own and_to_shame of_the_nakedness mother’s_your.
31If/because all the_days which the_son of_Yishay he_lives on the_soil not you_will_be_established you and_kingdom_your and_now send and_bring DOM_him/it to_me if/because [is]_a_son of_death he.
32and_answered Yōnātān/(Jonathan) DOM Shāʼūl his/its_father and_he/it_said to_him/it to/for_what will_he_be_put_to_death what has_he_done.
33And_hurled Shāʼūl DOM the_spear on/upon/above_him/it to_kill_him and_he/it_knew Yōnātān if/because_that it_had_been_determined it from_with his/its_father to_kill DOM Dāvid.
34and_he/it_rose_up Yōnātān from_at the_table in/on/at/with_fierce of_anger and_not he_ate in/on_day the_new_moon the_second food if/because he_was_grieved concerning Dāvid if/because disgraced_him his/its_father.
35and_he/it_was in/on/at/with_morning and_he/it_went_out Yōnātān the_field for_appointment of_Dāvid and_boy small with_him/it.
36And_he/it_said to_boy_his run find please DOM the_arrows which I [am]_about_to_shoot the_boy he_ran and_he he_shot the_arrow to_beyond_him.
37And_came the_boy to the_place the_arrow which he_had_shot Yōnātān and_he/it_called Yōnātān after the_boy and_he/it_said am_not the_arrow from_you and_beyond.
38And_he/it_called Yōnātān after the_boy quickly quick do_not delay and_picked_up the_lad of_Yōnātān DOM the_arrow[fn] and_came to master_his.
39And_the_boy not he_knew anything only Yōnātān/(Jonathan) and_Dāvid they_knew DOM the_matter.
40And_he/it_gave Yōnātān DOM weapons_his to the_boy who to_him/it and_he/it_said to_him/it go take_[them] the_city.
41The_boy he_went and_Dāvid he_arose from_side the_south and_fell on_face_his towards_land and_bowed three times and_kissed each DOM his/its_neighbour and_wept each DOM his/its_neighbour until Dāvid he_did_great_things.
42And_he/it_said Yōnātān to_Dāvid go in_peace that we_have_sworn_an_oath two_us we in/on_name_of of_YHWH to_say YHWH he_will_be between_me and_between_you and_between descendants_my and_between your(ms)_seed/fruit until perpetuity.

20:1 Variant note: מ/נוות: (x-qere) ’מִ/נָּי֖וֹת’: lemma_m/5121 n_1.0 morph_HR/Np id_09eLB מִ/נָּי֖וֹת

20:2 Variant note: ל/ו־עשה: (x-qere) ’לֹֽא’: lemma_3808 morph_HTn id_09uGu לֹֽא־ ־’יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה’: lemma_6213 a morph_HVqi3ms id_09dRu יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה

20:24 Variant note: על: (x-qere) ’אֶל’: lemma_413 morph_HR id_09Gd9 אֶל

20:38 Variant note: ה/חצי: (x-qere) ’הַ֣/חִצִּ֔ים’: lemma_d/2678 n_0.1 morph_HTd/Ncmpa id_09nbe הַ֣/חִצִּ֔ים

1SA 20:1–20:42 ©

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