The Meaning of 1 Samuel 20:14 Explained

1 Samuel 20:14

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

YLT: and not only while I am alive dost thou do with me the kindness of Jehovah, and I die not,

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

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 Samuel 20:14 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Samuel 20:1-16 - Friendship's Covenant
Life becomes intolerable when suspense is long drawn out; hence David's appeal to his friend. Besides, he yearned for one more glimpse of the dear home at Bethlehem, and to drink of "the well which was by the gate." The talk between the friends was heart-breaking to both. Only those who have experienced the severance of loving communion and intercourse can fathom the depth and bitterness of the waters that began to roll between the two friends.
Jonathan is one of the noblest types of manhood presented in Scripture biography. Whether in private or public life, he shone with peerless beauty, as a star in a dark sky. David said of him that he was "lovely and pleasant." Jonathan had a clear prevision of David's coming greatness, but it gave him no pang of jealousy. He loved his friend better than himself, so much, indeed, that it was a richer ecstasy for Jonathan to see David crowned and exalted than to ascend the throne himself. Love casts out jealousy. This friendship was ideal; and we can only ask that we may realize something of its sweetness, and know the love of Christ after the same fashion. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Samuel 20

1  David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11  Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18  Jonathan's token to David
23  Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35  Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David

What do the individual words in 1 Samuel 20:14 mean?

And while I still live and not you shall only show me the kindness of Yahweh that not I may die
וְלֹ֖א אִם־ עוֹדֶ֣נִּי חָ֑י וְלֹֽא־ תַעֲשֶׂ֧ה עִמָּדִ֛י חֶ֥סֶד יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת

אִם־  while 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
עוֹדֶ֣נִּי  I  still 
Parse: Adverb, first person common singular
Root: עֹוד  
Sense: a going round, continuance adv.
חָ֑י  live 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
וְלֹֽא־  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
תַעֲשֶׂ֧ה  you  shall  only  show 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
עִמָּדִ֛י  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: עִמָּד  
Sense: with.
חֶ֥סֶד  the  kindness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
יְהוָ֖ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וְלֹ֥א  that  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אָמֽוּת  I  may  die 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.

What are the major concepts related to 1 Samuel 20:14?

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