1 samuel 20:10 - Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?”

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 20:10

What does "1 samuel 20:10" mean?


In 1 Samuel 20:10, David and Jonathan are in a difficult situation. David is on the run from King Saul, who is David's father-in-law and is trying to kill him. Jonathan, Saul's son, is David's close friend and is trying to help David understand Saul's true intentions.

Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"Then David said to Jonathan": David is speaking to Jonathan, his confidant and friend.
"Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?": David is asking Jonathan how he will know if Saul reacts angrily or negatively to Jonathan's attempts to defend David. "Answering roughly" suggests a hostile or aggressive response. David needs to know if Saul's animosity towards him is still strong, even after Jonathan tries to intercede. David is essentially asking, "How will I know if Saul is still trying to kill me?" because if Saul reacts with anger toward Jonathan when Jonathan tries to reason with him, that is confirmation to David that it is not safe for him to return.

In summary, David is concerned about his safety and is asking Jonathan how they will communicate whether Saul remains a threat, even after Jonathan tests his father's feelings towards David. They need a signal to indicate danger for David. It highlights the delicate and dangerous situation they are in, and their need for a reliable way to assess Saul's intentions without putting Jonathan in too much danger.