1 Samuel 20:4 Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."

◄ 1 Samuel 20:4 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."

English Standard Version
Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you."

King James Bible
Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you."

International Standard Version
Jonathan told David, "Whatever you say, I'll do."

American Standard Version
Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan said to David: Whatsoever thy soul shall say to me, I will do for thee.

Darby Bible Translation
And Jonathan said to David, What thy soul may say, I will even do it for thee.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jonathan saith to David, 'What doth thy soul say? -- and I do it for thee.'

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 20

1Sa 20:1-10. David Consults with Jonathan for His Safety.

1-3. David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan—He could not remain in Naioth, for he had strong reason to fear that when the religious fit, if we may so call it, was over, Saul would relapse into his usual fell and sanguinary temper. It may be thought that David acted imprudently in directing his flight to Gibeah. But he was evidently prompted to go thither by the most generous feelings—to inform his friend of what had recently occurred, and to obtain that friend's sanction to the course he was compelled to adopt. Jonathan could not be persuaded there was any real danger after the oath his father had taken; at all events, he felt assured his father would do nothing without telling him. Filial attachment naturally blinded the prince to defects in the parental character and made him reluctant to believe his father capable of such atrocity. David repeated his unshaken convictions of Saul's murderous purpose, but in terms delicately chosen (1Sa 20:3), not to wound the filial feelings of his friend; while Jonathan, clinging, it would seem, to a hope that the extraordinary scene enacted at Naioth might have wrought a sanctified improvement on Saul's temper and feelings, undertook to inform David of the result of his observations at home.