1 Samuel 20:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
חָלִילָה֮
unto him God forbid
H2486
חָלִילָה֮
unto him God forbid
Strong's:
H2486
Word #:
3 of 27
literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָמוּת֒
thou shalt not die
H4191
תָמוּת֒
thou shalt not die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 27
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה
will do
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה
will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אָבִ֥י
behold my father
H1
אָבִ֥י
behold my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
9 of 27
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הַדָּבָ֥ר
nothing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
nothing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
גָּד֗וֹל
either great
H1419
גָּד֗וֹל
either great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
11 of 27
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
א֚וֹ
H176
א֚וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
12 of 27
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הַדָּבָ֥ר
nothing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
nothing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
קָטֹ֔ן
or small
H6996
קָטֹ֔ן
or small
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
14 of 27
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִגְלֶ֖ה
but that he will shew
H1540
יִגְלֶ֖ה
but that he will shew
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
16 of 27
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנִ֑י
H241
וּמַדּוּעַ֩
H4069
וּמַדּוּעַ֩
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
19 of 27
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
אָבִ֥י
behold my father
H1
אָבִ֥י
behold my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
21 of 27
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מִמֶּ֛נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֛נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֥ר
nothing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
nothing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
24 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
John 17:8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.1 Samuel 9:15Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,Genesis 44:7And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:Joshua 22:29God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.1 Samuel 14:45And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.1 Samuel 20:12And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
Historical Context
Sons typically served as their fathers' confidants in ancient royal courts, participating in state decisions from youth. Jonathan's assumption of complete transparency reflected normal father-son relationships in royalty. His subsequent discovery of Saul's concealment would be doubly painful.
Questions for Reflection
- When has family loyalty blinded you to a family member's harmful intentions?
- How do you balance trust in loved ones with realistic assessment of their actions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Jonathan's confident denial - 'God forbid; thou shalt not die' (chalilah) - expressed loving assurance combined with incomplete information. His assumption that Saul would confide everything to him reveals underestimation of his father's duplicity. The phrase 'nothing either great or small' (gadol o qaton) covers the entire spectrum of decisions. Jonathan's confidence in his father's transparency would soon prove mistaken. Sometimes those closest to a situation have blind spots that outsiders perceive more clearly. Love for family can obscure recognition of that family member's capacity for evil.