Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

And David answered Jonathan: Who shall bring me word, if thy father should answer thee harshly concerning me?

And David saith unto Jonathan, 'Who doth declare to me? or what if thy father doth answer thee sharply?'

Then David said to Jonathan, Who will give me word if your father gives you a rough answer?

And David responded to Jonathan, "Who will repeat it to me, if your father may perhaps answer you harshly about me?"

Who shall tell me? - Who shall give me the necessary information? What means wilt thou use to convey this intelligence to me?

Then said David to Jonathan, Who (f) shall tell me? or what [if] thy father answer thee roughly?
(f) If your father favours me.

Then said David to Jonathan, who shall tell me?.... The disposition of Saul's mind towards him, whether he gave a kind answer to the report of Jonathan concerning him:
or what if thy father answer thee roughly? or hard words, as the Targum, whether he answers in a kind, loving, and smooth manner, or whether in a rough and angry one: the question is here, how he should be informed of this, since especially, if in the latter, it would not be safe for Jonathan to come himself to him, nor could he well trust the message with any other. Abarbinel thinks, that the first of these expressions is by way of question, who should declare to him his father's will and intention, whether good or bad: and the latter by way of outcry, woe unto me, if thy father should answer thee roughly; I greatly fear he will chide thee for my sake; my heart will be filled with sorrow if thou shouldest suffer reproach and rebuke on my account.

To this friendly assurance David replied, "Who will tell me?" sc., how thy father expresses himself concerning me; "or what will thy father answer thee roughly?" sc., if thou shouldst attempt to do it thyself. This is the correct explanation given by De Wette and Maurer. Gesenius and Thenius, on the contrary, take או in the sense of "if perchance." But this is evidently incorrect; for even though there are certain passages in which או may be so rendered, it is only where some other case is supposed, and therefore the meaning or still lies at the foundation. These questions of David were suggested by a correct estimate of the circumstances, namely, that Saul's suspicions would leave him to the conclusion that there was some understanding between Jonathan and David, and that he would take steps in consequence to prevent Jonathan from making David acquainted with the result of his conversation with Saul.