📖WEB · 1 Samuel 20:17

What does 1 Samuel 20:17 mean?

"Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul."

— 1 Samuel 20:17 (World English Bible)

Surrounding context

14

You shall not only while yet I live show me the loving kindness of Yahweh, that I not die;

15

but you shall also not cut off your kindness from my house forever; no, not when Yahweh has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the surface of the earth.”

16

So Jonathan made a covenant with David’s house, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.”

17

Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18

Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

19

When you have stayed three days, go down quickly, and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel.

20

I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark.

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