1 Samuel 20:16 kjva — So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemie…

King James Version with Apocrypha

"So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies."

— 1 Samuel 20:16, King James Version with Apocrypha

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1 Samuel 20:16 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 20 — Context

13

The Lord do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the Lord be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

14

And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:

15

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.

16

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

19

And when thou hast stayed three days, then 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 King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even 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 (KJVA): “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even 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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