1 Samuel 20:23

20:11-23 Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners! how great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to him, to his cause, and his people!

And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of,.... The covenant they had made between them and their families: behold, the Lord be between me and thee for ever: as a witness of the covenant, and a revenger of those that should break it; so the Targum,"behold, the Word of the Lord be between me and thee a witness for ever.''

23 . The Lord render , &c.] Better, shall render. In 1 Samuel 24:19 the equivalent of these words is put Into Saul’s mouth. David is not sounding his own praises, but as before ( 1 Samuel 24:12 ) declaring his confidence that God will eventually recompense him for his upright and loyal behaviour. Cp. Psalm 7:8 ; Psalm 18:20 . 1 Samuel 26:23

This arrangement was to remain an eternal secret between them. "And (as for) the word that we have spoken, I and thou, behold, the Lord is between me and thee for ever," namely, a witness and judge in case one of us two should break the covenant (vid., Genesis 31:48-49 ). This is implied in the words, without there being any necessity to assume that עד had dropped out of the text. "The word" refers not merely to the sign agreed upon, but to the whole matter, including the renewal of the bond of friendship.

Verse 10. - David inquired of God . The "inquiring" was made, as matter of course, through the high priest, and not merely, as we should say, in private prayer ( Judges 1:1, 3 ; Judges 20:23, 27 ; 1 Samuel 23:2, 4 ; 1 Samuel 30:8 ; 2 Samuel 2:1 ). The directness of the Divine answer was some echo of the old reply when Judah was authorized to go up against the Canaanites ( Judges 1:2 ). 1 Chronicles 14:10