11 Jonathan said to David , "Come , and let us go out into the field ." So both of them went out to the field . 12 Then Jonathan said to David , "The Lord , the God of Israel , be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow , or the third day, behold , if there is good feeling toward David , shall I not then send to you and make it known e to you? 13 "If it please my father to do you harm , may the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also , if I do not make it known e to you and send you away , that you may go in safety . And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father . 14 "If I am still alive , will you not show me the lovingkindness of the Lord , that I may not die ? 15 " You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever e , not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth ." 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David , saying, " May the Lord require it at the hands of David's enemies ." 17 Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life . 18 Then Jonathan said to him, " Tomorrow is the new moon , and you will be missed because your seat will be empty . 19 "When you have stayed for three days , you shall go down quickly and come to the place where e you hid yourself on that eventful day , and you shall remain by the stone Ezel . 20 "I will shoot three arrows to the side , as though I shot at a target . 21 "And behold , I will send the lad , saying, 'Go , find the arrows .' If I specifically say to the lad , 'Behold , the arrows are on this side of you, get them,' then come ; for there is safety for you and no harm , as the Lord lives . 22 "But if I say to the youth , ' Behold , the arrows are beyond e you,' go , for the Lord has sent you away . 23 " As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken , behold , the Lord is between you and me forever e ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:11-23
Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:11-23
(Read 1 Samuel 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!