1 Samuel 20:7
If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 15
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כֹּ֥ה
H3541
כֹּ֥ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
ט֖וֹב
thus It is well
H2896
ט֖וֹב
thus It is well
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 15
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
שָׁל֣וֹם
shall have peace
H7965
שָׁל֣וֹם
shall have peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
5 of 15
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
7 of 15
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יֶֽחֱרֶה֙
but if he be very
H2734
יֶֽחֱרֶה֙
but if he be very
Strong's:
H2734
Word #:
8 of 15
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
יֶֽחֱרֶה֙
but if he be very
H2734
יֶֽחֱרֶה֙
but if he be very
Strong's:
H2734
Word #:
9 of 15
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
דַּ֕ע
then be sure
H3045
דַּ֕ע
then be sure
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָלְתָ֥ה
is determined
H3615
כָלְתָ֥ה
is determined
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
13 of 15
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
Cross References
1 Samuel 25:17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.Esther 7:7And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Historical Context
Reading royal moods was essential survival skill for ancient courtiers. Saul's volatility made such interpretation both necessary and difficult. The proposed test created forced revelation of concealed intent through emotional reaction to apparent defection.
Questions for Reflection
- How can someone's reaction to your absence reveal their true feelings toward you?
- What does this interpretive framework teach about discerning hidden intentions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
David provided clear interpretive criteria for Saul's response: 'It is well' signals peace; 'very wroth' reveals murderous intent. The Hebrew charah (to burn with anger) describes intense rage. David understood that Saul's reaction to his absence would expose his true intentions - acceptance meant safety, while rage confirmed deadly purpose. The test would force Saul to reveal what he had concealed from Jonathan. Sometimes absence serves as better revelation than presence.