1 Samuel 23:17
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 23
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּירָ֗א
unto him Fear
H3372
תִּירָ֗א
unto him Fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
4 of 23
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִֽמְצָאֲךָ֙
shall not find
H4672
תִֽמְצָאֲךָ֙
shall not find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
יַ֚ד
not for the hand
H3027
יַ֚ד
not for the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אָבִ֖י
my father
H1
אָבִ֖י
my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 23
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
תִּמְלֹ֣ךְ
thee and thou shalt be king
H4427
תִּמְלֹ֣ךְ
thee and thou shalt be king
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
12 of 23
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
over Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
over Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶֽהְיֶה
H1961
אֶֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
16 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמִשְׁנֶ֑ה
and I shall be next
H4932
לְמִשְׁנֶ֑ה
and I shall be next
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אָבִ֖י
my father
H1
אָבִ֖י
my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
21 of 23
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
1 Samuel 20:31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.1 Samuel 24:20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.Hebrews 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.Isaiah 54:17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.Acts 28:16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
Historical Context
Jonathan's acceptance of David's future kingship meant renouncing his own dynastic claim. Ancient Near Eastern succession typically passed father to son; Jonathan's deference was extraordinary. His statement about Saul's knowledge suggests Saul pursued David precisely because he recognized the divine appointment he could not prevent.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's plan places others above you?
- What does Jonathan's selfless encouragement teach about true friendship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
Jonathan's words blend comfort with prophetic certainty. The command 'fear not' (al-tira) echoes divine assurances throughout Scripture. His declaration about Saul's hand 'not finding' David expresses confidence in God's protection. Jonathan then affirms David's destiny: 'thou shalt be king over Israel.' Remarkably, he positions himself subordinate to David ('I shall be next unto thee'), accepting second place to his friend. The stunning conclusion—'Saul my father knoweth'—reveals that even Saul, despite his pursuit, recognized David's inevitable kingship. Jonathan's faith spoke truth his father's madness denied.