Jonathan said, Far be it from thee Or, rather, Far be this away; for Jonathan is speaking of himself in this thing. Then said David, Who shall tell me? Who shall bring me advice how matters stand? They went out both into the field To take their measures about this matter. Jonathan said, O Lord God of Israel Do thou hear and judge between us. These first words of the sentence seem to be an exclamation, or an abrupt speech, not usual in great passions, and the rest are as if he had said, Shall I, who love thee so much, be thought capable of breaking my word with thee? In all these verses the words are broken, concise, and interrupted: as the words of lovers are wont to be, especially when they are disturbed. But there are a tenderness and sincerity in this exclamation of Jonathan which are scarcely to be equalled. If there be good toward thee I will show it thee, that thou mayest be easy. If it please my father to do thee evil I will send thee away, that thou mayest be safe. Thus he would help to deliver him from evil if it were real, and from the fear of evil if it were but imaginary. The Lord do so and much more to Jonathan If I speak deceitfully, or break my word with my friend: he expresseth himself thus solemnly that David might be fully assured of his sincerity. And thus God has confirmed his promises to us, that we might have strong consolation, Hebrews 6:17-18. The Lord be with thee And protect and prosper thee. Thus, to his protestations, Jonathan adds his hearty prayers for David. As he hath been with my father Formerly, though now he be withdrawn. This intimates his belief that David would be in his father's place, and his desire that he might prosper in it better than his father now did.
1 Samuel 20:9-13
9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
11 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have soundedc 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;
13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shewd it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.