1 Samuel 20:3 - The Scriptures 2009

³ But Dawiḏ swore again, and said, “Your father knows well that I have found favour in your eyes, and he says, ‘Do not let Yehonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as יהוה lives and as your being lives, there is but a step between me and death.”

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

³ And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

³ But David replied, Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved. But truly as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.

American Standard Version (1901)

³ And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father knoweth well that I have found favor in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Common English Bible

³ But David solemnly promised in response, “Your father knows full well that you like me. He probably said, ‘Jonathan must not learn about this or he’ll be upset.’ But I promise you—on the LORD’s life and yours!—that I am this close to death!”

Catholic Public Domain Version

³ And he swore again to David. And David said: "Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your sight, and so he will say, 'Let Jonathan not know this, lest he be saddened.' So truly, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, there is only one step (if I may say it) separating me from death."

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

³ And he swore again to David. And David said: Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight; and he will say: Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved. But truly as the Lord liveth, and thy soul liveth, there is but one step (as I may say) between me and death.

1 Samuel 20:3 Cross References

2 Samuel 15:21

And Ittai answered the sovereign and said, “As יהוה lives, and as my master the sovereign lives, in whatever place my master the sovereign is, whether in death or life, let your servant also be there.”

2 Kings 2:2

And Ěliyahu said to Elisha, “Please remain here, for יהוה has sent me on to Bĕyth Ěl.” And Elisha said, “As יהוה lives, and as your being lives, I do not leave you!” And they went down to Bĕyth Ěl.

2 Kings 2:4

And Ěliyahu said to him, “Elisha, please remain here, for יהוה has sent me on to Yeriḥo.” And he said, “As יהוה lives, and as your being lives, I do not leave you!” And they came into Yeriḥo.

2 Kings 2:6

And Ěliyahu said to him, “Please remain here, for יהוה has sent me on to the Yardĕn.” And he said, “As יהוה lives, and as your being lives, I do not leave you!” And the two of them went on.

Psalm 116:3

The cords of death were around me, And the pains of She’ol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.

Jeremiah 38:16

But Tsiḏqiyahu the sovereign swore secretly to Yirmeyahu, saying, “As יהוה lives, who made us this life, I do not put you to death, nor do I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”

Jeremiah 4:2

and shall swear, ‘As יהוה lives,’ in truth, in right-ruling, and in righteousness – then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and they shall boast in Him!”

Deuteronomy 28:66

“And your life shall be hanging in suspense before you, and you shall fear night and day, and not be certain of your life.

Deuteronomy 6:13

“Fear יהוה your Elohim and serve Him, and swear by His Name.

Hebrews 6:16

For men do indeed swear by the one greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

1 Samuel 1:26

And she said, “O my master! As your being lives, my master, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to יהוה.

1 Samuel 17:55

And when Sha’ul saw Dawiḏ going out against the Philistine, he said to Aḇnĕr, the commander of the army, “Aḇnĕr, whose son is this youth?” And Aḇnĕr said, “As your being lives, O sovereign, I do not know.”

1 Samuel 20:2

And Yehonathan said to him, “Far be it! You are not going to die! See, my father does no big matter nor small matter without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this matter from me? It is not so!”

1 Samuel 20:4

And Yehonathan said to Dawiḏ, “Whatever your desire is, I do it for you.”

1 Samuel 25:26

“And now my master, as יהוה lives and as your being lives, since יהוה has withheld you from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies be as Naḇal, even those seeking evil against my master.

1 Samuel 27:1

And Dawiḏ said in his heart, “Now I shall perish by the hand of Sha’ul, some day. There is naught better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Sha’ul shall give up searching for me any longer in any part of Yisra’ĕl, and I shall escape out of his hand.”