1 Samuel 20:15
New International Version
and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

New Living Translation
treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.”

English Standard Version
and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible
and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

King James Bible
But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

New King James Version
but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

New American Standard Bible
And you shall never cut off your loyalty to my house, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

NASB 1995
“You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

NASB 1977
“And you shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when Yahweh cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

Amplified Bible
You shall never cut off your lovingkindness and faithfulness from my house, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

Christian Standard Bible
don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
don’t ever withdraw your faithful love from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

American Standard Version
but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when Jehovah hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

English Revised Version
but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
never stop being kind to my family. The Lord will wipe each of David's enemies off the face of the earth.

Good News Translation
show the same kind of loyalty to my family forever. And when the LORD has completely destroyed all your enemies,

International Standard Version
And don't stop showing your gracious love to my family forever, not even when the LORD eliminates each of David's enemies from the surface of the earth."

Majority Standard Bible
and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household?not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David?s enemies from the face of the earth.?

NET Bible
Don't ever cut off your loyalty to my family, not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth

New Heart English Bible
do not cut off your loyalty from my house forever. And when the LORD cuts off the enemies of David, each one from the face of the earth,

Webster's Bible Translation
But also thou shalt not withdraw thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

World English Bible
but you shall also not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when Yahweh has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the surface of the earth.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but you do not cut off your kindness from my house for all time, nor in YHWH’s cutting off the enemies of David, each one from off the face of the ground.”

Young's Literal Translation
but thou dost not cut off thy kindness from my house unto the age, nor in Jehovah's cutting off the enemies of David, each one from off the face of the ground.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou shalt not cut off thy mercy from my house, even forever: and not in Jehovah's cutting off the enemies of David a man from the face of the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not take away thy kindness from my house for ever, when the Lord shall have rooted out the enemies of David, every one of them from the earth, may he take away Jonathan from his house, and may the Lord require it at the hands of David's enemies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
you shall not take away your mercy from my house, even forever, when the Lord will have rooted out the enemies of David, each and every one of them, from the earth. May he take Jonathan from his house, and may the Lord require it from the hands of the enemies of David.”

New American Bible
never cut off your kindness from my house. And when the LORD cuts off all the enemies of David from the face of the land,

New Revised Standard Version
never cut off your faithful love from my house, even if the LORD were to cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house for ever, when the LORD destroys the enemies of David from the face of the earth;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And do not let your kindness cease from my house to eternity, and when LORD JEHOVAH will destroy the enemies of David from the face of the Earth
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.'thou shalt not withdraw thy mercy from my house for ever: and if thou doest not, when the Lord cuts off the enemies of David each from the face of the earth,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
14And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die, 15and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household— not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” 16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2 Samuel 9:7
“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 24:21-22
So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

2 Samuel 1:26
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

2 Samuel 4:4
And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 16:3
“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”

2 Samuel 19:28
For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”

1 Kings 2:7
But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

Genesis 21:23
Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

Genesis 47:29
When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,

Ruth 1:8
Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you loving devotion, as you have shown to your dead and to me.

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

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.


Treasury of Scripture

But also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD has cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

thou shalt

1 Samuel 24:21
Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.

2 Samuel 9:1-7
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? …

2 Samuel 21:7
But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Jump to Previous
Age Cut Cuts Cutting David Destruction Earth Enemies Haters House Jehovah's Kindness Lovingkindness Mercy Surface Withdraw
Jump to Next
Age Cut Cuts Cutting David Destruction Earth Enemies Haters House Jehovah's Kindness Lovingkindness Mercy Surface Withdraw
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














and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—
This phrase reflects the covenantal relationship between Jonathan and David. In ancient Israel, covenants were binding agreements that often included promises of loyalty and protection. Jonathan, recognizing David's future as king, seeks assurance that his family will be treated with kindness. This reflects the Hebrew concept of "hesed," often translated as loving devotion or steadfast love, which is a key attribute of God's character (Exodus 34:6-7). The request for ongoing kindness is significant in a culture where new dynasties often eliminated the previous ruler's family to secure the throne.

not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”
This part of the verse acknowledges the divine support for David's future reign. The phrase "the LORD cuts off" indicates a belief in God's active role in establishing David's kingship and ensuring his victory over adversaries. This reflects the biblical theme of divine justice and protection for those chosen by God, as seen in the stories of other biblical figures like Moses and Joshua. The mention of "every one of David’s enemies" foreshadows the eventual peace and security of David's kingdom, aligning with prophecies about the Messiah, who is often typologically linked to David as a ruler who will ultimately defeat all enemies (Psalm 110:1).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jonathan
The son of King Saul and a close friend of David. He is known for his loyalty and covenant with David.

2. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is fleeing from King Saul.

3. Saul
The first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly hostile towards David due to jealousy and fear of losing his throne.

4. Covenant
A solemn agreement between Jonathan and David, emphasizing loyalty and loving devotion (Hebrew: "chesed").

5. The LORD
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is central to the promises and actions in this account.
Teaching Points
The Power of Covenant Relationships
Jonathan and David's relationship exemplifies the strength and commitment found in covenant relationships. In our lives, we should seek to build relationships that are grounded in mutual respect, love, and faithfulness.

Loving Devotion (Chesed)
The Hebrew word "chesed" signifies steadfast love, kindness, and loyalty. As believers, we are called to exhibit "chesed" in our relationships, reflecting God's unwavering love for us.

Faithfulness Amidst Adversity
Despite the danger and uncertainty, Jonathan remains faithful to his covenant with David. This teaches us the importance of remaining true to our commitments, even when circumstances are challenging.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
The verse acknowledges God's role in cutting off David's enemies, reminding us of His ultimate control and justice. We can trust God to act on our behalf and fulfill His promises.

Legacy of Faithfulness
Jonathan's request for enduring kindness to his house highlights the impact of our actions on future generations. Our faithfulness today can leave a lasting legacy for those who come after us.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and do not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

ever
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

cut off
תַכְרִ֧ת (ṯaḵ·riṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

your loving devotion
חַסְדְּךָ֛ (ḥas·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

from
מֵעִ֥ם (mê·‘im)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

my household—
בֵּיתִ֖י (bê·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1004: A house

not
וְלֹ֗א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

even when the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

cuts off
בְּהַכְרִ֤ת (bə·haḵ·riṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

every one
אִ֕ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of David’s
דָוִ֔ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

enemies
אֹיְבֵ֣י (’ō·yə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

from
מֵעַ֖ל (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the face
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the earth.”
הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:15 But also you shall not cut off (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:14
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