1 Samuel 20:10
◄  1 Samuel 20:10  ►
New International Version (©2011)
David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then David asked, "How will I know whether or not your father is angry?"

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So David asked Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then David told Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

NET Bible (©2006)
David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Then David asked, "Who will tell me whether or not your father gives you a harsh answer?"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if your father answers you roughly?

American King James Version
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if your father answer you roughly?

American Standard Version
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me if perchance thy father answer thee roughly?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And David answered Jonathan: Who shall bring me word, if thy father should answer thee harshly concerning me?

Darby Bible Translation
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

English Revised Version
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me if perchance thy father answer thee roughly?

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father shall answer thee roughly?

World English Bible
Then David said to Jonathan, "Who shall tell me if perchance your father answers you roughly?"

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith unto Jonathan, 'Who doth declare to me? or what if thy father doth answer thee sharply?'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:1-10 The trials David met with, prepared him for future advancement. Thus the Lord deals with those whom he prepares unto glory. He does not put them into immediate possession of the kingdom, but leads them to it through much tribulation, which he makes the means of fitting them for it. Let them not murmur at his gracious appointment, nor distrust his care; but let them look forward with joyful expectation to the crown which is laid up for them. Sometimes it appears to us that there is but a step between us and death; at all times it may be so, and we should prepare for the event. But though dangers appear most threatening, we cannot die till the purpose of God concerning us is accomplished; nor till we have served our generation according to his will, if we are believers. Jonathan generously offers David his services. This is true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us, Ask, and it shall be done for you; and we must testify our love to him, by keeping his commandments.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. - Who shall tell me? or what if, etc. The if is an insertion of the A.V. Really David's question is very involved and ungrammatical, as was natural in his excited state. It may be translated, "Who will tell me (or, how shall I know) what rough answer thy father will give thee?" But some Jewish authorities render, "Who will tell me if so be that thy father give thee a rough answer?"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then said David to Jonathan, who shall tell me?.... The disposition of Saul's mind towards him, whether he gave a kind answer to the report of Jonathan concerning him:

or what if thy father answer thee roughly? or hard words, as the Targum, whether he answers in a kind, loving, and smooth manner, or whether in a rough and angry one: the question is here, how he should be informed of this, since especially, if in the latter, it would not be safe for Jonathan to come himself to him, nor could he well trust the message with any other. Abarbinel thinks, that the first of these expressions is by way of question, who should declare to him his father's will and intention, whether good or bad: and the latter by way of outcry, woe unto me, if thy father should answer thee roughly; I greatly fear he will chide thee for my sake; my heart will be filled with sorrow if thou shouldest suffer reproach and rebuke on my account.

1 Samuel 20:10 Parallel Commentaries

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Jonathan Helps David
…8Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant; for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father? 9And Jonathan said, Far be it from you: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then would not I tell it you? 10Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if your father answer you roughly?

1 Samuel 20:9 "Never!" Jonathan said. "If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?"
1 Samuel 20:11 "Come," Jonathan said, "let's go out into the field." So they went there together.