The Meaning of 1 Samuel 20:4 Explained

1 Samuel 20:4

KJV: Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

YLT: And Jonathan saith to David, 'What doth thy soul say? -- and I do it for thee.'

Darby: And Jonathan said to David, What thy soul may say, I will even do it for thee.

ASV: Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Discover 1 Samuel 20:4

CONTEXT: What is the Context of 1 Samuel 20:4?

MEANING: What does 1 Samuel 20:4 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in 1 Samuel 20:4 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in 1 Samuel 20:4?

What is the context of 1 Samuel 20:4?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do [it] for thee.

What does 1 Samuel 20:4 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 20:4 mean?

So said Jonathan to David what desire you yourself and I will do [it] for you -

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן אֶל־ דָּוִ֑ד מַה־ תֹּאמַ֥ר נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ לָּֽךְ פ

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר	So said
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן	Jonathan
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: יְהֹונָתָן Sense: a son of king Saul and a friend of David.
דָּוִ֑ד	David
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: דָּוִד Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
תֹּאמַ֥ר	desire
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
נַפְשְׁךָ֖	you yourself
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular Root: נֶפֶשׁ Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־	and I will do [it]
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular Root: עָשָׂה Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לָּֽךְ	for you
Parse: Preposition, second person feminine singular
פ	-
Parse: Punctuation

What are the major concepts related to 1 Samuel 20:4?

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