1 Samuel 20:17 net — Jonathan once again took an oath with David, because he loved him. In fact Jonathan loved him as much as he did his own…

NET Bible

"Jonathan once again took an oath with David, because he loved him. In fact Jonathan loved him as much as he did his own life."

— 1 Samuel 20:17, NET Bible

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1 Samuel 20:17 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 20 — Context

14

While I am still alive, extend to me the loyalty of the LORD, or else I will die!

15

Don’t ever cut off your loyalty to my family, not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth

16

and called David’s enemies to account.” So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David.

17

Jonathan once again took an oath with David, because he loved him. In fact Jonathan loved him as much as he did his own life.

18

Jonathan said to him,“Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, for your seat will be empty.

19

On the third day you should go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself the day this all started. Stay near the stone Ezel.

20

I will shoot three arrows near it, as though I were shooting at a target.

1 Samuel 20:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 20:17 say?
1 Samuel 20:17 in the NET Bible reads: “Jonathan once again took an oath with David, because he loved him. In fact Jonathan loved him as much as he did his own life.”
Where is 1 Samuel 20:17 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 20:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 20, verse 17.
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 20:17.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 20:17 in?
1 Samuel 20:17 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 20:17?
1 Samuel 20:17 reads (NET): “Jonathan once again took an oath with David, because he loved him. In fact Jonathan loved him as much as he did his own life.” 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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