1 Samuel 20:23

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:11-23 Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners! how great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to him, to his cause, and his people!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The stone Ezel - It is not mentioned elsewhere, except possibly in 1 Samuel 20:41, where see the note.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of—The plan being concerted, the friends separated for a time, and the amiable character of Jonathan again peers out in his parting allusion to their covenant of friendship.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of,.... The covenant they had made between them and their families:

behold, the Lord be between me and thee for ever: as a witness of the covenant, and a revenger of those that should break it; so the Targum,"behold, the Word of the Lord be between me and thee a witness for ever.''

Geneva Study Bible

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. as touching the matter, &c.] The reciprocal covenant of friendship just renewed and ratified.

the Lord, &c.] As the witness of our covenant, and the avenger of any breach of it. Cp. Genesis 31:49; Genesis 31:53.

1 Samuel 20:23

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

This arrangement was to remain an eternal secret between them. "And (as for) the word that we have spoken, I and thou, behold, the Lord is between me and thee for ever," namely, a witness and judge in case one of us two should break the covenant (vid., Genesis 31:48-49). This is implied in the words, without there being any necessity to assume that עד had dropped out of the text. "The word" refers not merely to the sign agreed upon, but to the whole matter, including the renewal of the bond of friendship.