Definition: And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, [or] the third [day], and, behold, [if there be] good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 20:12. It's a really important and slightly mysterious passage about God’s protection of David. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: David was feeling anxious and worried about his future – he felt like God might not be protecting him. He was thinking about sending someone to comfort him, but he paused and decided not to do so. He’s essentially saying, “God is protecting me, and I'm trusting that He will continue to do so.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Jonathan said unto David…” : This establishes the context – it’s a conversation between David and his friend Jonathan. “…O LORD God of Israel…” : This is a direct address to God, emphasizing that this is a divine moment. “…when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, [or] the third [day], and…” : This is where it gets interesting. “Father” refers to Samuel, David’s uncle. “Sounded my father about” means he was thinking about a specific event – something that might happen. The phrase "to morrow any time" is a bit vague, but it suggests a future event that's important. "The third day" implies a specific point in time. “…and, behold, [if there be] good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee.” : This is the key part – “and, behold” - meaning "God shows himself." “If there be good toward David” means God is actively helping him. “And I then send not unto thee” means he’s pausing and not sending someone to comfort him. “Show it thee” is a very symbolic phrase. It's like God is revealing His protection to David through a sign or revelation. Overall Meaning: David was feeling worried about his future, and he was trusting that God would continue to protect him. He paused in his thinking and decided not to seek comfort because God was actively showing His care and protection. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a sign of God’s sovereignty – that God is ultimately in control and will always protect those He chooses. It's a powerful expression of faith and trust in God's plan. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further, focusing on a specific aspect? Compare it to another biblical passage about protection?