1 Samuel 20:13-17
20:13 a may the Lord strike me: Jonathan invoked a curse upon himself to reassure David that he would keep his promise.• as he used to be with my father: Jonathan recognized that David had received the blessing from God that his father had once had. The divine favor that had brought Saul into royal office (9:14–10:1 b) would bring David into royal office as Saul’s replacement. Jonathan accepted this even though he was the natural successor to Saul.
Summary for 1Sam 20:14-16: 20:14-16 c faithful love: Hebrew khesed (see study note on 20:8). Jonathan was reminding David to keep his commitment to him when he became king. It was reasonable for Jonathan to be concerned that David might kill any descendant of Saul who could make a rival claim to his throne. Saul later made a similar request of David (24:21 d).
20:15 e treat my family: David later treated Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, as one of his own sons (2 Sam 9:1-13 f).
20:17 g See 18:3 h; 23:16-18 i.
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