1 Samuel 20:32

32 “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father.

1 Samuel 20:32 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
English Standard Version (ESV)
32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"
New Living Translation (NLT)
32 “But why should he be put to death?” Jonathan asked his father. “What has he done?”
The Message Bible (MSG)
32 Jonathan stood up to his father. "Why dead? What's he done?"
American Standard Version (ASV)
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
32 Jonathan asked his father, "Why should he be killed? What has he done?"
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
32 Jonathan answered his father back: "Why is he to be killed? What has he done?"
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
32 "Why do you want to put him to death?" Jonathan asked his father. "What has he done?"

1 Samuel 20:32 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:32

And Jonathan answered Saul his, father, and said unto him,
&c.] Making no answer to the charges of perverseness, rebellion, and folly brought against himself, which he bore with patience, but could not bear to hear his dear friend spoken against, and as worthy of death; and therefore in answer to that says,

wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
has he attempted to take away thy life? to deprive thee of thy crown? to settle himself upon the throne? what overt act of treason has he been guilty of; that he should die? on the contrary, has he not done many things worthy of immortal honour, for the good of the nation, and the glory of thy reign? and if God has determined the kingdom for him, and anointed him to it, what blame can be laid upon him? nay, should he not be the rather respected and honoured?

1 Samuel 20:32 In-Context

30 Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?
31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”
32 “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father.
33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.
34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S 1 Samuel 19:4; Matthew 27:23
  • 2. S Genesis 31:36; Luke 23:22
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.