John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 20:12

"And Jonathan said unto David, Jehovah, the God of Israel, [be witness]: when I have sounded my father about this time to-morrow, [or] the third day, behold, if there be good toward David, shall I not then send unto thee, and disclose it unto thee?" — 1 Samuel 20:12 (ASV)

And Jonathan said to David, O Lord God of Israel
Or by the Lord God of Israel, I swear to you; for this is the form of the oath, as Jarchi and Kimchi observe:

when I have sounded my father about tomorrow any time, [or] the third
[day] ;
searched, inquired, and found out how his disposition is:

and, behold, [if there be] good toward David ;
if he is well disposed to him, as may appear by speaking respectfully of him, or kindly inquiring after him, and by being satisfied with the account given him:

and I then send not to you, and show it to you ;
then let the vengeance of God fall upon me in some remarkable manner or another, as follows; or "shall I not then send to you, and show it to you" ^F20 ? certainly I will; that is, I will send a messenger to you to acquaint you with it, who shall tell it, and cause you to hear it, as from myself.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F20: (Kyla xlva za alw) "an non tune mitterem?" Junius & Tremellius; "nonne tunc mittam ad te?" so some in Vatablus.