1 Samuel 20:13
The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹ֣ה
so
H3541
וְכֹ֣ה
so
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
do
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂה֩
do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְכֹ֣ה
so
H3541
וְכֹ֣ה
so
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
5 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יֹסִ֗יף
and much more
H3254
יֹסִ֗יף
and much more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
6 of 26
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֵיטִ֨ב
but if it please
H3190
יֵיטִ֨ב
but if it please
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
8 of 26
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
אָבִֽי׃
be with thee as he hath been with my father
H1
אָבִֽי׃
be with thee as he hath been with my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 26
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְגָלִ֙יתִי֙
then I will shew
H1540
וְגָלִ֙יתִי֙
then I will shew
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
14 of 26
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 #:
15 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנֶ֔ךָ
H241
אָזְנֶ֔ךָ
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
16 of 26
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֖יךָ
it thee and send thee away
H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֖יךָ
it thee and send thee away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
17 of 26
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֣
that thou mayest go
H1980
וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֣
that thou mayest go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
18 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְשָׁל֑וֹם
in peace
H7965
לְשָׁל֑וֹם
in peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
19 of 26
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וִיהִ֤י
H1961
וִיהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
20 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
22 of 26
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֖ה
H1961
הָיָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
24 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 22:16Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.1 Chronicles 22:11Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.Joshua 1:5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.1 Samuel 17:37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.Ruth 1:17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.1 Samuel 3:17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
Historical Context
Self-imprecation formulas invited divine punishment for oath violation. Jonathan's recognition of God's presence with David echoed what Saul himself perceived (18:28). The heir acknowledging his father's replacement showed remarkable humility.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's blessing seems to pass to others, perhaps including your own hoped-for position?
- What does Jonathan's gracious acceptance of David's destiny teach about submitting to God's surprising choices?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
Jonathan's self-imprecation 'The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan' invokes curses upon himself if he fails David. His acknowledgment 'the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father' recognizes divine favor has transferred from Saul to David. Jonathan's extraordinary spiritual perception recognized God's work and submitted to it despite personal loss. Such gracious yielding to divine providence marks mature faith.