1 Samuel 20:11-17 Meaning: The Field Where Friendship Was Sealed
11Jonathan said to David, “Come! Let’s go out into the field.” They both went out into the field.
12Jonathan said to David, “By Yahweh, the God of Israel, when I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, won’t I then send to you and disclose it to you?
13Yahweh do so to Jonathan and more also, should it please my father to do you evil, if I don’t disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in peace. May Yahweh be with you as he has been with my father.
14You shall not only show me the loving kindness of Yahweh while I still live, that I not die;
15but 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.”
16So Jonathan made a covenant with David’s house, saying, “Yahweh will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.”
17Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had for him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
11And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
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;
13The 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.
14And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:
15But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
11And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
12And Jonathan said unto David, Jehovah, the God of Israel, be witness: when I have sounded my father about this time to-morrow, or the third day, behold, if there be good toward David, shall I not then send unto thee, and disclose it unto thee?
13Jehovah do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to do thee evil, if I disclose it not unto thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and Jehovah be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
14And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the lovingkindness of Jehovah, that I die not;
15but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when Jehovah hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
11And Jonathan saith unto David, `Come, and we go out into the field;' and they go out both of them into the field.
12And Jonathan saith unto David, `Jehovah, God of Israel--when I search my father, about this time to-morrow or the third day , and lo, good is towards David, and I do not then send unto thee, and have uncovered thine ear--
13thus doth Jehovah do to Jonathan, and thus doth He add; when the evil concerning thee is good to my father, then I have uncovered thine ear, and sent thee away, and thou hast gone in peace, and Jehovah is with thee, as he was with my father;
14and not only while I am alive dost thou do with me the kindness of Jehovah, and I die not,
15but thou dost not cut off thy kindness from my house unto the age, nor in Jehovah's cutting off the enemies of David, each one from off the face of the ground.'
16And Jonathan covenanteth with the house of David, and Jehovah hath sought it from the hand of the enemies of David;
17and Jonathan addeth to cause David to swear, because he loveth him, for with the love of his own soul he hath loved him.
11And Jonathan said to David, Come and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
12And Jonathan said to David, Jehovah, God of Israel, when I sound my father about this time to-morrow, [or] the next day, and behold, there be good toward David, and I then send not to thee, and apprise thee of it,
13Jehovah do so and much more to Jonathan. Should it please my father [to do] thee evil, then I will apprise thee of it, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace; and Jehovah be with thee, as he has been with my father.
14And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of Jehovah, that I die not,
15but thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever, no, not when Jehovah cuts off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth.
16And Jonathan made [a covenant] with the house of David, [saying,] Let Jehovah even require [it] at the hand of David's enemies!
17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, by the love he had for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
Meaning in one sentence
Jonathan and David make a covenant in the field, sealing their friendship with oaths and a plan to test Saul's intentions.
Context
In 1 Samuel 20, David has fled from Naioth after Saul tried to kill him. He meets Jonathan and insists that Saul intends his death, but Jonathan is skeptical. They agree to test Saul's mood at the new moon feast. In these verses, they leave the city to speak privately in the field, away from anyone who might overhear. There Jonathan makes a solemn covenant with David, asking for his ongoing kindness. He acknowledges that David will be king and asks that David's loyalty extend to his descendants. The passage ends with Jonathan's love for David described as love for his own soul.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight of this passage. Chesed (v.14-15) is often translated “kindness” or “lovingkindness,” but it means so much more. It is the steadfast, covenant-keeping love that God shows His people. Jonathan asks David to show him the chesed of Yahweh, the same faithful love that comes from God. In a world where loyalty can waver, this word calls us to keep our promises even when it costs us.
Ahavah (v.17) is the love Jonathan has for David. The text says he loved David as his own nephesh (soul). This is not romantic love but deep, self-giving friendship. It is the same word used for God's love for Israel and for the command to love your neighbor as yourself.
Shalom (v.13) is the peace Jonathan wishes for David. It means more than the absence of conflict; it means wholeness, safety, and well-being. Even as David must flee, Jonathan sends him with a blessing of complete peace.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this passage as a beautiful picture of covenant friendship. Many commentators note that Jonathan clearly recognized God's plan for David to be king. Adam Clarke, a Wesleyan scholar, wrote that Jonathan knew “the Lord had appointed David to the kingdom.” Matthew Henry, a Reformed commentator, highlights the covenant and its extension to David's house. The Cambridge Bible points out that Jonathan's words in verse 13 show he already foresees David's destiny. All agree that Jonathan's willingness to set aside his own claim to the throne and protect David models selfless love.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers misunderstand the phrase “he loved him as he loved his own soul” as implying a romantic or erotic relationship between Jonathan and David. In fact, the Hebrew words for love (ahavah) and soul (nephesh) are used throughout the Old Testament for deep covenantal friendship, like the love between David and his warriors, or the command to love your neighbor as yourself. Their bond is about faithful loyalty, not romance.
Living This Out
This passage asks you to consider the quality of your friendships. Jonathan stood with David when it was dangerous to do so. He made promises and kept them, even knowing it meant David would take his place. This week, think of a friend who is going through a hard time. Could you offer them the kind of loyal support Jonathan gave David, not just words, but concrete action? Maybe you can commit to praying for them daily, or send an encouraging note. Like Jonathan, you can use your position to help another, even at personal cost. And notice that Jonathan asked David to show kindness to his family. How might your friendships bless not just a person, but their children or parents?
Main takeaway: Covenant friendship risks everything for the beloved and extends kindness beyond a lifetime, just as Jonathan loved David.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jonathan and David were best friends. They promised to be kind to each other forever. Even when it was hard, they kept their promise.
For ages 9, 12
Jonathan knew that David would become king instead of him, but he didn't get jealous. He helped David escape from Saul and made a promise to always be his friend. This shows that real friendship means putting the other person first, even when it costs something. You can be that kind of friend too.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean that Jonathan loved David as his own soul?
In Hebrew, the word for love (ahavah) and soul (nephesh) are used elsewhere for deep covenant friendship, not romance. Jonathan's love means he valued David's life as much as his own, and was completely loyal to him.
Why did Jonathan and David go out to the field?
They needed to talk privately, away from Saul's spies and the noise of the city. The field was a safe place where they could speak freely and make a covenant without being overheard.
What is the 'kindness of the Lord' that Jonathan asks for?
The Hebrew word is chesed, often translated as lovingkindness or covenant loyalty. It means the same faithful, steadfast love that God shows to His people. Jonathan asks David to treat him and his family with that same kind of unbreakable kindness.
Did Jonathan know David would be king?
Yes. In verse 13 Jonathan says, 'May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father.' Many commentators believe this shows Jonathan clearly understood that God had chosen David to replace Saul as king.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study