1 Samuel 20:9-13

20:9 Jonathan said, “Far be it from you to suggest this! If I were at all aware that my father had decided to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?” 20:10 David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 20:11 Jonathan said to David, “Come on. Let’s go out to the field.”

When the two of them had gone out into the field, 20:12 Jonathan said to David, “The Lord God of Israel is my witness. 1  I will feel out my father about this time the day after tomorrow. If he is favorably inclined toward David, will I not then send word to you and let you know? 2  20:13 But if my father intends to do you harm, may the Lord do all this and more to Jonathan, if I don’t let you know 3  and send word to you so you can go safely on your way. 4  May the Lord be with you, as he was with my father.

1 tc The Hebrew text has simply “the Lord God of Israel.” On the basis of the Syriac version, many reconstruct the text to read “[is] my witness,” which may have fallen out of the text by homoioarcton (an error which is entirely possible if עֵד, ’ed, “witness,” immediately followed ַָדוִד, “David,” in the original text).

2 tn Heb “and uncover your ear.”

3 tn Heb “uncover your ear.”

4 tn Heb “in peace.”