1 Samuel 19:2
New International Version
and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.

New Living Translation
told him what his father was planning. “Tomorrow morning,” he warned him, “you must find a hiding place out in the fields.

English Standard Version
And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself.

Berean Standard Bible
so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.

King James Bible
But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

New King James Version
So Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore please be on your guard until morning, and stay in a secret place and hide.

New American Standard Bible
So Jonathan informed David, saying, “My father Saul is seeking to put you to death. Now then, please be on your guard in the morning, and stay in a hiding place and conceal yourself.

NASB 1995
So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.

NASB 1977
So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Jonathan told David saying, “Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. So now, please be careful in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.

Amplified Bible
So he told David, “Saul my father is seeking to kill you. Now then, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.

Christian Standard Bible
so he told him, “My father, Saul, intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so he told him: “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there.

American Standard Version
And Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to slay thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself in the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

English Revised Version
And Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to slay thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself in the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
so he reported to David, "My father Saul is trying to kill you. Please be careful tomorrow morning. Go into hiding, and stay out of sight.

Good News Translation
and so he told him, "My father is trying to kill you. Please be careful tomorrow morning; hide in some secret place and stay there.

International Standard Version
So Jonathan told David, "My father Saul is trying to kill you. In the morning be careful and stay hidden in a secret place.

Majority Standard Bible
so he warned David, saying, ?My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.

NET Bible
So Jonathan told David, "My father Saul is trying to kill you. So be careful tomorrow morning. Find a hiding place and stay in seclusion.

New Heart English Bible
So Jonathan told David, saying, "Saul seeks to kill you. Please take care of yourself in the morning, and keep hidden in a secret place.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now, therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

World English Bible
Jonathan told David, saying, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Now therefore, please take care of yourself in the morning, live in a secret place, and hide yourself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Jonathan son of Saul delighted in David exceedingly, and Jonathan declares [it] to David, saying, “My father Saul is seeking to put you to death, and now, please take heed in the morning, and you have abided in a secret place and been hidden,

Young's Literal Translation
and Jonathan son of Saul delighted exceedingly in David, and Jonathan declareth to David, saying, 'Saul my father is seeking to put thee to death, and, now, take heed, I pray thee, in the morning, and thou hast abode in a secret place, and been hidden,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jonathan will announce to David, saying, Saul my father is seeking to kill thee: and at this time, watch now, in the morning, and dwell in secret and hide.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan told David, saying: Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: wherefore look to thyself, I beseech thee, in the morning, and thou shalt abide in a secret place and shalt be hid.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jonathan revealed it to David, saying: “Saul, my father, is seeking to kill you. Because of this, I ask you, take care for yourself in the morning. And you should conceal yourself and remain in hiding.

New American Bible
told him: “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; stay out of sight and remain in hiding.

New Revised Standard Version
Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Jonathan, Saul's son, was delighted much in David; and Jonathan spoke to David, saying, Saul my father seeks to kill you; now therefore take heed to yourself, and sit in a secret place and hide yourself;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jonathan showed David and said to him: “Shaul my father seeks to kill you! Beware and dwell in a secret place and hide yourself
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jonathan told David, saying: 'Saul my father seeketh to slay thee; now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself in the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jonathan, Saul's son, loved David much: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul seeks to kill thee: take heed to thyself therefore to-morrow morning, and hide thyself, and dwell in secret.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Attempts to Kill David
1Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, 2so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. 3I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, so I can ask about you. And if I find out anything, I will tell you.”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 20:32-33
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” / Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

1 Samuel 18:10-11
The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, / and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

1 Samuel 24:4-7
So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” ...

1 Samuel 25:29
And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.

2 Samuel 17:1-3
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”

2 Samuel 20:10
Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

2 Kings 6:9-10
Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

Psalm 59:1-2
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. / Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed.

Proverbs 27:12
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Matthew 2:13
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 12:14-15
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. / Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,

Matthew 24:16
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Mark 3:6-7
At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. / So Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, accompanied by a large crowd from Galilee, Judea,


Treasury of Scripture

But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeks to kill you: now therefore, I pray you, take heed to yourself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide yourself:

delighted

1 Samuel 18:1-3
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…

Psalm 16:3
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

John 15:17-19
These things I command you, that ye love one another…

Jonathan

1 Samuel 20:2
And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Acts 9:24
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

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Care David Death Delighted Heed Hide Jonathan Kill Live Morning Please Saul Saul's Secret Seeketh Seeking Seeks Slay Thyself
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Care David Death Delighted Heed Hide Jonathan Kill Live Morning Please Saul Saul's Secret Seeketh Seeking Seeks Slay Thyself
1 Samuel 19
1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord














So Jonathan warned David
The name "Jonathan" means "Yahweh has given," reflecting his role as a God-given friend and protector to David. Jonathan's loyalty to David, despite his father Saul's animosity, exemplifies the biblical principle of covenant friendship. The Hebrew root for "warned" (נָגַד, nagad) implies making something known or declaring it openly. Jonathan's action is a courageous declaration of truth, prioritizing righteousness and friendship over familial allegiance. This highlights the biblical value of speaking truth and protecting the innocent, even at personal risk.

My father Saul intends to kill you
The phrase "my father Saul" underscores the personal conflict Jonathan faces, torn between his loyalty to his father and his covenant with David. Saul, the first king of Israel, is depicted as a tragic figure whose disobedience to God leads to his downfall. The Hebrew word for "intends" (מְבַקֵּשׁ, mevaqqesh) suggests a determined pursuit, indicating Saul's relentless desire to eliminate David. This reflects the spiritual battle between God's anointed and the forces of jealousy and fear. The narrative invites readers to consider the destructive power of envy and the importance of aligning with God's purposes.

Be on your guard in the morning
The instruction to "be on your guard" (שָׁמַר, shamar) conveys vigilance and careful attention, a recurring biblical theme urging believers to remain spiritually alert. The mention of "the morning" signifies a new beginning, a time of potential danger but also of divine intervention. Biblically, mornings often symbolize hope and renewal, reminding readers of God's faithfulness and the promise of deliverance. This phrase encourages believers to start each day with awareness and trust in God's protection.

find a secret place and hide there
The concept of a "secret place" (סֵתֶר, seter) evokes the idea of divine refuge, as seen in Psalm 91:1, where those who dwell in the "secret place of the Most High" find safety. This imagery underscores God's provision of protection and peace amidst threats. The act of hiding reflects wisdom and prudence, virtues commended in Scripture. It also foreshadows David's future as a fugitive, relying on God's guidance and protection. This phrase inspires believers to seek God's presence as their ultimate refuge and strength in times of trouble.

(2) Jonathan told David.--The danger Jonathan saw was a very present one. A very slight expression on the part of a powerful king of his earnest desire to get rid of an obnoxious subject, however eminent or great, is sufficient to stir up unscrupulous men to commit the murder which they might fancy would be acceptable to their master.

Verses 2, 3. - Until the morning. Rather, "in the morning." Saul's purpose was taking shape, and as there are always men too ready to commit crime at the bidding of a king, there was the danger that secret murder might be the quick result of Saul's open communication of his wishes to his men of war. Jonathan, therefore, warns David of the king's malice, and urges him to hide himself until he has made a last entreaty for him. This was to take place in the field, the open common land. There was no idea of David overhearing the conversation, but when the king took his usual walk Jonathan was to join him, and hold a conference with him apart in the unenclosed hill pastures. After probing his father's real feelings he would continue his walk, and, without awakening any suspicions, would meet David and communicate to him the result. What I see, that I will tell thee. More exactly, "I will see what (he says), and will tell thee."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
so he
יְהוֹנָתָן֙ (yə·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

warned
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד (way·yag·gêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

David,
לְדָוִ֣ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“My father
אָבִ֖י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

Saul
שָׁא֥וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

intends
מְבַקֵּ֛שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

to kill you.
לַהֲמִיתֶ֑ךָ (la·hă·mî·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

Be on your guard
הִשָּֽׁמֶר־ (hiš·šā·mer-)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

in the morning;
בַבֹּ֔קֶר (ḇab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

find
וְיָשַׁבְתָּ֥ (wə·yā·šaḇ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

a secret place
בַסֵּ֖תֶר (ḇas·sê·ṯer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy

and hide there.
וְנַחְבֵּֽאתָ׃ (wə·naḥ·bê·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide


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OT History: 1 Samuel 19:2 Jonathan told David saying Saul my father (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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