And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

And Jonathan answering Saul his father, said: Why shall he die: what hath he done?

And Jonathan answereth Saul his father, and saith unto him, 'Why is he put to death? what hath he done?'

And Jonathan, answering his father Saul, said to him, Why is he to be put to death? What has he done?

Then Jonathan, answering his father Saul, said: "Why should he die? What has he done?"

And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be (p) slain? what hath he done?
(p) For it was too great tyranny to put one to death and not to give a reason why.

And Jonathan answered Saul his, father, and said unto him,.... 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?