1 Samuel 20:16 asv — So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies…

American Standard Version

"So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies. "

— 1 Samuel 20:16, American Standard Version

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1 Samuel 20:16 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 20 — Context

13

Jehovah do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to do thee evil, if I disclose it not unto thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and Jehovah be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

14

And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the lovingkindness of Jehovah, that I die not;

15

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.

16

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18

Then Jonathan said unto him, To-morrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

19

And when thou hast stayed three days, thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

1 Samuel 20:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 20:16 say?
1 Samuel 20:16 in the American Standard Version reads: “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies. ”
Where is 1 Samuel 20:16 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 20:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 20, verse 16.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 20:16.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 20:16 in?
1 Samuel 20:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 20:16?
1 Samuel 20:16 reads (ASV): “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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