1 Samuel 20:30
New International Version
Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?

New Living Translation
Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. “You stupid son of a whore!” he swore at him. “Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother?

English Standard Version
Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

Berean Standard Bible
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?

King James Bible
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?

New King James Version
Then Saul’s anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

NASB 1995
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

NASB 1977
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

Amplified Bible
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a wayward, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse [over me] to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother?

American Standard Version
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and unto the shame of thy mother's nakedness?

Contemporary English Version
Saul was furious with Jonathan and yelled, "You're no son of mine, you traitor! I know you've chosen to be loyal to that son of Jesse. You should be ashamed of yourself! And your own mother should be ashamed that you were ever born.

English Revised Version
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and unto the shame of thy mother's nakedness?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Saul got angry with Jonathan. "Son of a crooked and rebellious woman!" he called Jonathan. "I know you've sided with Jesse's son. You have no shame. [You act] as if you are your mother's son but not mine.

Good News Translation
Saul became furious with Jonathan and said to him, "How rebellious and faithless your mother was! Now I know you are taking sides with David and are disgracing yourself and that mother of yours!

International Standard Version
Saul flew into a rage and told Jonathan, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have chosen Jesse's son to your shame and to the shame of your mother who bore you?

Majority Standard Bible
Then Saul?s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, ?You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?

NET Bible
Saul became angry with Jonathan and said to him, "You stupid traitor! Don't I realize that to your own disgrace and to the disgrace of your mother's nakedness you have chosen this son of Jesse?

New Heart English Bible
Then Saul?s anger flared up at Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a rebellious slave girl, don?t I know that you are the companion of the son of Jesse, to your own disgrace, and to the disgrace of your mother's nakedness?

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thy own confusion, and to the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?

World English Bible
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the anger of Saul burns against Jonathan, and he says to him, “Son of a perverse [woman] of rebellion! Have I not known that you are fixing on the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of the nakedness of your mother?

Young's Literal Translation
And the anger of Saul burneth against Jonathan, and he saith to him, 'Son of a perverse rebellious woman! have I not known that thou art fixing on the son of Jesse to thy shame, and to the shame of the nakedness of thy mother?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul's anger will kindle against Jonathan, and he will say to him, Son of crooked rebelliousness, did I not know that thou choosest to the son of Jesse to thy shame and to the shame of thy mother's nakedness?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Saul being angry against Jonathan said to him: Thou son of a woman that is the ravisher of a man, do I not know that thou lovest the son of Isai to thy own confusion and to the confusion of thy shameless mother?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Saul, becoming angry against Jonathan, said to him: “You son of a woman wantonly seizing a man! Could I be ignorant that you love the son of Jesse, to your own shame, and to the shame of your disgraceful mother?

New American Bible
But Saul grew angry with Jonathan and said to him: “Son of a rebellious woman, do I not know that, to your own disgrace and to the disgrace of your mother’s nakedness, you are the companion of Jesse’s son?

New Revised Standard Version
Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, O you rebellious son, do I not know that you are delighted in the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the anger of Shaul was provoked because of Jonathan, and he said to him: “Son of lack of chastisement! Do I not know that you delight in the son of Iyshay, to the shame of the nakedness of your mother?!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him: 'Thou son of perverse rebellion, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and unto the shame of thy mother's nakedness?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul was exceedingly angry with Jonathan, and said to him, Thou son of traitorous damsels! for do I not know that thou art an accomplice with the son of Jessae to thy same, and to the shame of thy mother's nakedness?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
30Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the disgrace of the mother who bore you? 31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:8-9
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” / And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

1 Samuel 19:1
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

1 Samuel 22:8
Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

1 Samuel 25:10
But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.

2 Samuel 16:5-8
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

2 Samuel 19:22
And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”

2 Kings 9:22
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Proverbs 19:19
A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

Proverbs 22:24-25
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, / or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Matthew 10:21
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

Matthew 10:35-36
For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. / A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

Mark 13:12
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, You son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own confusion, and to the confusion of your mother's nakedness?

Saul's

Job 5:2
For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 19:12,19
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass…

Thou, etc.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 21:24
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Matthew 5:22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

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1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














Then Saul’s anger burned
The phrase "anger burned" in Hebrew is "חָרָה אַף" (charah aph), which literally translates to "nose burned," a vivid metaphor for intense anger. In the ancient Near Eastern context, anger was often depicted as a burning sensation, reflecting the physical and emotional intensity of the feeling. Saul's anger here is not just a momentary irritation but a deep-seated rage that has been kindled by perceived betrayal. This highlights the volatile nature of Saul's character and his inability to control his emotions, which is a recurring theme in his interactions with David and Jonathan.

against Jonathan
Jonathan, Saul's son, is caught in a conflict of loyalty between his father and David. Historically, Jonathan is portrayed as a noble and righteous character, whose friendship with David is one of the most profound examples of loyalty and love in the Bible. Saul's anger towards Jonathan underscores the tragic division within Saul's family, as Jonathan's allegiance to David is seen as a betrayal by Saul. This familial conflict is emblematic of the broader spiritual and political turmoil in Israel during Saul's reign.

and he said to him
The act of speaking in this context is significant. In the Hebrew tradition, words have power and can convey blessings or curses. Saul's words are not just expressions of anger but are intended to wound and shame Jonathan. This reflects the destructive power of speech and the responsibility that comes with it, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

You son of a perverse and rebellious woman!
This insult is a harsh and derogatory statement aimed at both Jonathan and his mother. In the ancient world, family lineage and honor were of utmost importance, and to insult one's mother was to attack one's very identity and honor. Saul's use of such language reveals his desperation and loss of rationality. It also reflects the patriarchal society where women were often blamed for the perceived failings of their children, highlighting the cultural context of the time.

Do I not know
This rhetorical question indicates Saul's awareness and suspicion of Jonathan's loyalty to David. It suggests a sense of betrayal and paranoia that has consumed Saul. The phrase underscores Saul's deteriorating mental state and his obsession with David as a threat to his throne, which blinds him to the loyalty and love of his own son.

that you have sided with the son of Jesse
Referring to David as "the son of Jesse" is a way to diminish his status, emphasizing his humble origins. Saul's refusal to use David's name reflects his disdain and refusal to acknowledge David's anointing and rising popularity. This phrase also highlights the tension between Saul's kingship and David's divine anointing, a central conflict in the narrative of 1 Samuel.

to your own shame
Shame in the Hebrew context is a profound social and spiritual concept. It implies a loss of honor and standing within the community. Saul's accusation that Jonathan has brought shame upon himself by siding with David reflects the cultural values of honor and loyalty. It also reveals Saul's manipulation, attempting to use shame as a tool to control and coerce Jonathan.

and to the shame of the mother who bore you?
This final phrase reiterates the insult to Jonathan's mother, emphasizing the perceived disgrace brought upon the family. In the biblical narrative, the family unit is sacred, and to bring shame upon one's family is a serious offense. Saul's words are intended to isolate Jonathan, making him feel the weight of his father's disapproval and the supposed dishonor to his family. This reflects the broader theme of familial loyalty and the cost of following God's chosen path, as Jonathan chooses to support David despite the personal and familial consequences.

(30) Saul's anger was kindled.--As David expected, his absence kindled into a flame the anger of Saul. Probably he had determined at that very feast, surrounded by his own devoted friends and members of his family, to carry out his evil designs against David's life.

Murder was, probably enough, one of the incidents arranged for at that banquet, but the absence of the intended victim marred the plot; besides which, the king, too, with the cunning which the partially insane so often display, saw through the veil of the specious excuse that David too clearly suspected his wicked design, and purposely stayed away; nay, more, that his own son Jonathan, the heir of his kingdom, suspected him, and openly sympathised with his friend David, for whose pointed absence he thus publicly apologised.

Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman.--These words, spoken in public, in any sense were a bitter insult to the prince. Another and better rendering has, however, been suggested. The word na?vath, rendered perverse, instead of being a feminine adjective, is probably an abstract noun. The translation would then run, "Thou son of perversity of rebellion," a common Hebraism for "a man of perverse and refractory nature;" so Clericus, Lange, and Payne Smith. This avoids the extreme improbability that Saul insulted his own wife, Jonathan's mother, which, as has been observed, contradicts the Hebrew family spirit.

The confusion of thy mother's nakedness.--This is far from insulting Jonathan's mother; it is simply an Oriental mode of saying, "she will feel ashamed at having brought such a son into the world."

Verses 30, 31. - Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman. Literally, "thou son of one perverse in rebellion." In the East it is the greatest possible insult to a man to call his mother names; but the word rendered perverse, instead of being a feminine adjective, is probably an abstract noun, and "son of perversity of rebellion" would mean one who was thoroughly perverse in his resistance to his father's will. Unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness. I.e. thy mother will feel ashamed and disgraced at having borne such a son. He shall surely die. Hebrew, "he is a son of death," son, being constantly used in Hebrew to express qualities, or, as here, the fate to which a man is destined.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

anger
אַ֤ף (’ap̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

burned
וַיִּֽחַר־ (way·yi·ḥar-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

against Jonathan,
בִּיה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (bî·hō·w·nā·ṯān)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

and he said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
ל֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“You son
בֶּֽן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of a perverse
נַעֲוַ֖ת (na·‘ă·waṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5753: To bend, twist

and rebellious woman!
הַמַּרְדּ֑וּת (ham·mar·dūṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4780: Rebellion, rebelliousness

Do I not
הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֗עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have chosen
בֹחֵ֤ר (ḇō·ḥêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

the son
לְבֶן־ (lə·ḇen-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jesse
יִשַׁ֔י (yi·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3448: Jesse -- father of David

to your own shame
לְבָ֨שְׁתְּךָ֔ (lə·ḇā·šə·tə·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1322: Shame, shameful thing

and to the disgrace
וּלְבֹ֖שֶׁת (ū·lə·ḇō·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1322: Shame, shameful thing

of the mother
אִמֶּֽךָ׃ (’im·me·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

who bore you?
עֶרְוַ֥ת (‘er·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6172: Nakedness


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:29
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