One misinterpretation reduces Jonathan's pledge to a mere casual promise of secrecy among buddies, ignoring its foundation in a sacred covenant witnessed by God with eternal significance, while another wrongly portrays it as endorsing betrayal of family duties, whereas Jonathan upholds integrity by committing only to reveal confirmed threats, not fabricating disloyalty or undermining his father's authority without cause.
I Samuel 20:9
King James Version (1769)
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?
Jonathan reassures David of his deep loyalty and commitment as a true friend, vowing that if his father Saul plotted any harm against him, he would certainly disclose it rather than let David depart unaware, emphasizing their unbreakable covenant sworn before the Lord that binds them forever in mutual protection and trust amid perilous circumstances.