1 Samuel 20:42

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(42) Go in peace.—The abruptness of the closing words is most natural, and accords with the evident deep emotion of the speaker. David’s heart was too full to reply to his friend’s words; blinded with tears, he seems to have hurried away speechless.

“We may indeed wonder at the delicacy of feeling and the gentleness of the sentiments which these two men in those old rough times entertained for one another. No ancient writer has set before us so noble an example of a heartfelt, unselfish, and thoroughly human state of feeling, and none has described friendship with such entire truth in all its relations, and with such complete and profound knowledge of the human heart.”—Phillipson, quoted by Payne Smith.

Benson Commentary

1 Samuel 20:42. Jonathan said, The Lord be between thee and me, &c. — As much as to say, Fear not but I will faithfully keep my covenant with thee; as I doubt not of thy perpetual steadfastness in it with me and my posterity. And this must be our satisfaction in this sad separation. And he arose and departed — That is, David left Jonathan, that he might avoid the effects of Saul’s wrath, and escape immediate destruction; and Jonathan returned to his family and friends. And it appears that these two friends never met again on earth, except once, and that was by stealth in a wood, chap. 23. 16. But their spirits have long been united in the paradise of God, and they shall spend an eternity together in their complete persons, in that world of love and harmony where, the former things being passed away, friends united in heart will be separated no more!

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:35-42 The separation of two such faithful friends was grievous to both, but David's case was the more deplorable, for David was leaving all his comforts, even those of God's sanctuary. Christians need not sorrow, as men without hope; but being one with Christ, they are one with each other, and will meet in his presence ere long, to part no more; to meet where all tears shall be wiped from their eyes.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Jonathan went into the city - From which one may infer, what the after history also indicates, that Jonathan's filial duty and patriotism prevented a complete rupture with his father. Jonathan's conduct in this, as in everything, was most admirable.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

42. Jonathan said to David, Go in peace—The interview being a stolen one, and every moment precious, it was kindness in Jonathan to hasten his friend's departure.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

We have sworn both of us; therefore doubt not but I will ever love thee, and faithfully serve thee; and the like I assure myself from thee; and this must be our comfort in our state of separation.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Jonathan said to David, go in peace,.... In peace of mind, committing himself, his family, and affairs, to the providence of God, who would take care of him, and keep him in safety from the evil designs of Saul; and particularly he would have him be easy with respect to what had passed between them two, not doubting but it would be faithfully observed on both sides:

forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord: had made a covenant with each other by an oath, in the name and presence of God as a witness to it:

saying, the Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever; as a witness of the agreement between them, including them and their offspring, and as a revenger of such that should break it. The Targum is,"the Word of the Lord be between thee and me, &c."

and he arose and departed; that is, David arose from the ground, and took his leave of Jonathan, and departed into the country for the safety of his person and life:

and Jonathan went into the city; into the city of Gibeah, where Saul dwelt and had his court.

Geneva Study Bible

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have {t} sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

(t) Which oath he calls the covenant of the Lord in 1Sa 20:8.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

42. forasmuch as, &c.] It is better to follow the marginal rendering in assuming an aposiopesis, which corresponds with Jonathan’s deep emotion. “That which we have sworn, &c.”—remember! Jonathan’s parting charge reminds David of their mutual vow.

1 Samuel 20:42

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

All that is given of the conversation between the two friends is the parting word spoken by Jonathan to David: "Go in peace. What we two have sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever:" sc., let it stand, or let us abide by it. The clause contains an aposiopesis, which may be accounted for from Jonathan's deep emotion, and in which the apodosis may be gathered from the sense. For it is evident, from a comparison of 1 Samuel 20:23, that the expression "for ever" must be understood as forming part of the oath. - 1 Samuel 21:1. David then set out upon his journey, and Jonathan returned to the town. This verse ought, strictly speaking, to form the conclusion of 1 Samuel 20.

(Note: In our English version it does; but in the Hebrew, which is followed here, it forms the opening verse of 1 Samuel 21:1-15. In the exposition of the following chapter it has been thought better to follow the numbering of the verses in our version rather than that of the original, although the latter is conformed to the Hebrew. - Tr.)

The subject to "arose" is David; not because Jonathan was the last one spoken of (Thenius), but because the following words, "and Jonathan came," etc., are in evident antithesis to "he arose and went."