1 And David H1732 fled H1272 from Naioth H5121 in Ramah, H7414 and came H935 and said H559 before H6440 Jonathan, H3083 What have I done? H6213 what is mine iniquity? H5771 and what is my sin H2403 before H6440 thy father, H1 that he seeketh H1245 my life? H5315
2 And he said H559 unto him, God forbid; H2486 thou shalt not die: H4191 behold, my father H1 will do H6213 H6213 nothing H1697 either great H1419 or small, H6996 but that he will shew H1540 H241 it me: and why should my father H1 hide H5641 this thing H1697 from me? it is not so.
3 And David H1732 sware H7650 moreover, and said, H559 Thy father H1 certainly H3045 knoweth H3045 that I have found H4672 grace H2580 in thine eyes; H5869 and he saith, H559 Let not Jonathan H3083 know H3045 this, lest he be grieved: H6087 but truly H199 as the LORD H3068 liveth, H2416 and as thy soul H5315 liveth, H2416 there is but a step H6587 between me and death. H4194
4 Then said H559 Jonathan H3083 unto David, H1732 Whatsoever thy soul H5315 desireth, H559 I will even do H6213 it for thee.
5 And David H1732 said H559 unto Jonathan, H3083 Behold, to morrow H4279 is the new moon, H2320 and I should not fail H3427 to sit H3427 with the king H4428 at meat: H398 but let me go, H7971 that I may hide H5641 myself in the field H7704 unto the third H7992 day at even. H6153
6 If thy father H1 at all H6485 miss H6485 me, then say, H559 David H1732 earnestly H7592 asked H7592 leave of me that he might run H7323 to Bethlehem H1035 his city: H5892 for there is a yearly H3117 sacrifice H2077 there for all the family. H4940
7 If he say H559 thus, It is well; H2896 thy servant H5650 shall have peace: H7965 but if he be very H2734 wroth, H2734 then be sure H3045 that evil H7451 is determined H3615 by him.
8 Therefore thou shalt deal H6213 kindly H2617 with thy servant; H5650 for thou hast brought H935 thy servant H5650 into a covenant H1285 of the LORD H3068 with thee: notwithstanding, if there be H3426 in me iniquity, H5771 slay H4191 me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring H935 me to thy father? H1
9 And Jonathan H3083 said, H559 Far be it from thee: H2486 for if I knew H3045 certainly H3045 that evil H7451 were determined H3615 by my father H1 to come H935 upon thee, then would not I tell H5046 it thee?
10 Then said H559 David H1732 to Jonathan, H3083 Who shall tell H5046 me? or what if thy father H1 answer H6030 thee roughly? H7186
11 And Jonathan H3083 said H559 unto David, H1732 Come, H3212 and let us go out H3318 into the field. H7704 And they went out H3318 both H8147 of them into the field. H7704
12 And Jonathan H3083 said H559 unto David, H1732 O LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 when I have sounded H2713 my father H1 about to morrow H4279 any time, H6256 or the third H7992 day, and, behold, if there be good H2895 toward David, H1732 and I then send H7971 not unto thee, and shew H1540 H241 it thee;
13 The LORD H3068 do H6213 so H3541 and much more H3254 to Jonathan: H3083 but if it please H3190 my father H1 to do thee evil, H7451 then I will shew H1540 H241 it thee, and send thee away, H7971 that thou mayest go H1980 in peace: H7965 and the LORD H3068 be with thee, as he hath been with my father. H1
14 And thou shalt not only while yet H518 I live H2416 shew H6213 me the kindness H2617 of the LORD, H3068 that I die H4191 not:
15 But also thou shalt not cut off H3772 thy kindness H2617 from my house H1004 for H5704 ever: H5769 no, not when the LORD H3068 hath cut off H3772 the enemies H341 of David H1732 every one H376 from the face H6440 of the earth. H127
16 So Jonathan H3083 made H3772 a covenant with the house H1004 of David, H1732 saying, Let the LORD H3068 even require H1245 it at the hand H3027 of David's H1732 enemies. H341
17 And Jonathan H3083 caused David H1732 to swear H7650 again, H3254 because he loved H160 him: for he loved H157 him as he loved H160 his own soul. H5315
18 Then Jonathan H3083 said H559 to David, H1732 To morrow H4279 is the new moon: H2320 and thou shalt be missed, H6485 because thy seat H4186 will be empty. H6485
19 And when thou hast stayed three days, H8027 then thou shalt go down H3381 quickly, H3966 and come H935 to the place H4725 where thou didst hide H5641 thyself when H3117 the business H4639 was in hand, and shalt remain H3427 by H681 the stone H68 Ezel. H237
20 And I will shoot H3384 three H7969 arrows H2671 on the side H6654 thereof, as though I shot H7971 at a mark. H4307
21 And, behold, I will send H7971 a lad, H5288 saying, Go, H3212 find out H4672 the arrows. H2671 If I expressly H559 say H559 unto the lad, H5288 Behold, the arrows H2671 are on this side of thee, take H3947 them; then come H935 thou: for there is peace H7965 to thee, and no hurt; H1697 as the LORD H3068 liveth. H2416
22 But if I say H559 thus unto the young man, H5958 Behold, the arrows H2671 are beyond H1973 thee; go thy way: H3212 for the LORD H3068 hath sent thee away. H7971
23 And as touching the matter H1697 which thou and I have spoken H1696 of, behold, the LORD H3068 be between thee and me for H5704 ever. H5769
24 So David H1732 hid H5641 himself in the field: H7704 and when the new moon H2320 was come, the king H4428 sat him down H3427 to eat H398 meat. H3899
25 And the king H4428 sat H3427 upon his seat, H4186 as at other times, H6471 even upon a seat H4186 by the wall: H7023 and Jonathan H3083 arose, H6965 and Abner H74 sat H3427 by Saul's H7586 side, H6654 and David's H1732 place H4725 was empty. H6485
26 Nevertheless Saul H7586 spake H1696 not any thing H3972 that day: H3117 for he thought, H559 Something hath befallen H4745 him, he is not H1115 clean; H2889 surely he is not clean. H2889
27 And it came to pass on the morrow, H4283 which was the second H8145 day of the month, H2320 that David's H1732 place H4725 was empty: H6485 and Saul H7586 said H559 unto Jonathan H3083 his son, H1121 Wherefore cometh H935 not the son H1121 of Jesse H3448 to meat, H3899 neither yesterday, H8543 nor to day? H3117
28 And Jonathan H3083 answered H6030 Saul, H7586 David H1732 earnestly H7592 asked H7592 leave of me H5978 to go to Bethlehem: H1035
29 And he said, H559 Let me go, H7971 I pray thee; for our family H4940 hath a sacrifice H2077 in the city; H5892 and my brother, H251 he hath commanded H6680 me to be there: and now, if I have found H4672 favour H2580 in thine eyes, H5869 let me get away, H4422 I pray thee, and see H7200 my brethren. H251 Therefore he cometh H935 not unto the king's H4428 table. H7979
30 Then Saul's H7586 anger H639 was kindled H2734 against Jonathan, H3083 and he said H559 unto him, Thou son H1121 of the perverse H5753 rebellious H4780 woman, do not I know H3045 that thou hast chosen H977 the son H1121 of Jesse H3448 to thine own confusion, H1322 and unto the confusion H1322 of thy mother's H517 nakedness? H6172
31 For as long as H3117 the son H1121 of Jesse H3448 liveth H2425 upon the ground, H127 thou shalt not be established, H3559 nor thy kingdom. H4438 Wherefore now send H7971 and fetch H3947 him unto me, for he shall surely die. H1121 H4194
32 And Jonathan H3083 answered H6030 Saul H7586 his father, H1 and said H559 unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? H4191 what hath he done? H6213
33 And Saul H7586 cast H2904 a javelin H2595 at him to smite H5221 him: whereby Jonathan H3083 knew H3045 that it was determined H3617 of his father H1 to slay H4191 David. H1732
34 So Jonathan H3083 arose H6965 from the table H7979 in fierce H2750 anger, H639 and did eat H398 no meat H3899 the second H8145 day H3117 of the month: H2320 for he was grieved H6087 for David, H1732 because his father H1 had done him shame. H3637
35 And it came to pass in the morning, H1242 that Jonathan H3083 went out H3318 into the field H7704 at the time appointed H4150 with David, H1732 and a little H6996 lad H5288 with him.
36 And he said H559 unto his lad, H5288 Run, H7323 find out H4672 now the arrows H2671 which I shoot. H3384 And as the lad H5288 ran, H7323 he shot H3384 an arrow H2678 beyond H5674 him.
37 And when the lad H5288 was come H935 to the place H4725 of the arrow H2678 which Jonathan H3083 had shot, H3384 Jonathan H3083 cried H7121 after H310 the lad, H5288 and said, H559 Is not the arrow H2678 beyond H1973 thee?
38 And Jonathan H3083 cried H7121 after H310 the lad, H5288 Make speed, H4120 haste, H2363 stay H5975 not. And Jonathan's H3083 lad H5288 gathered up H3950 the arrows, H2671 H2678 and came H935 to his master. H113
39 But the lad H5288 knew H3045 not any thing: H3972 only Jonathan H3083 and David H1732 knew H3045 the matter. H1697
40 And Jonathan H3083 gave H5414 his artillery H3627 unto his lad, H5288 and said H559 unto him, Go, H3212 carry H935 them to the city. H5892
41 And as soon as the lad H5288 was gone, H935 David H1732 arose H6965 out of a place toward H681 the south, H5045 and fell H5307 on his face H639 to the ground, H776 and bowed H7812 himself three H7969 times: H6471 and they kissed H5401 one H376 another, H7453 and wept H1058 one H376 with another, H7453 until David H1732 exceeded. H1431
42 And Jonathan H3083 said H559 to David, H1732 Go H3212 in peace, H7965 forasmuch as we have sworn H7650 both H8147 of us in the name H8034 of the LORD, H3068 saying, H559 The LORD H3068 be between me and thee, and between my seed H2233 and thy seed H2233 for H5704 ever. H5769 And he arose H6965 and departed: H3212 and Jonathan H3083 went H935 into the city. H5892
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Samuel 20
Commentary on 1 Samuel 20 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 20
1Sa 20:1-10. David Consults with Jonathan for His Safety.
1-3. David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan—He could not remain in Naioth, for he had strong reason to fear that when the religious fit, if we may so call it, was over, Saul would relapse into his usual fell and sanguinary temper. It may be thought that David acted imprudently in directing his flight to Gibeah. But he was evidently prompted to go thither by the most generous feelings—to inform his friend of what had recently occurred, and to obtain that friend's sanction to the course he was compelled to adopt. Jonathan could not be persuaded there was any real danger after the oath his father had taken; at all events, he felt assured his father would do nothing without telling him. Filial attachment naturally blinded the prince to defects in the parental character and made him reluctant to believe his father capable of such atrocity. David repeated his unshaken convictions of Saul's murderous purpose, but in terms delicately chosen (1Sa 20:3), not to wound the filial feelings of his friend; while Jonathan, clinging, it would seem, to a hope that the extraordinary scene enacted at Naioth might have wrought a sanctified improvement on Saul's temper and feelings, undertook to inform David of the result of his observations at home.
5. David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to-morrow the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat—The beginning of a new month or moon was always celebrated by special sacrifices, followed by feasting, at which the head of a family expected all its members to be present. David, both as the king's son-in-law and a distinguished courtier, dined on such occasions at the royal table, and from its being generally known that David had returned to Gibeah, his presence in the palace would be naturally expected. This occasion was chosen by the two friends for testing the king's state of feeling. As a suitable pretext for David's absence, it was arranged that he should visit his family at Beth-lehem, and thus create an opportunity of ascertaining how his non-appearance would be viewed. The time and place were fixed for Jonathan reporting to David; but as circumstances might render another interview unsafe, it was deemed expedient to communicate by a concerted signal.
1Sa 20:11-23. Their Covenant Renewed by Oath.
11. Jonathan said to David, Come, let us go into the field—The private dialogue, which is here detailed at full length, presents a most beautiful exhibition of these two amiable and noble-minded friends. Jonathan was led, in the circumstances, to be the chief speaker. The strength of his attachment, his pure disinterestedness, his warm piety, his invocation to God (consisting of a prayer and a solemn oath combined), the calm and full expression he gave of his conviction that his own family were, by the divine will, to be disinherited, and David elevated to the possession of the throne, the covenant entered into with David on behalf of his descendants, and the imprecation (1Sa 20:16) denounced on any of them who should violate his part of the conditions, the reiteration of this covenant on both sides (1Sa 20:17) to make it indissoluble—all this indicates such a power of mutual affection, such magnetic attractiveness in the character of David, such susceptibility and elevation of feeling in the heart of Jonathan, that this interview for dramatic interest and moral beauty stands unrivalled in the records of human friendship.
19. when thou hast stayed three days—either with your family at Beth-lehem, or wherever you find it convenient.
come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand—Hebrew, "in the day," or "time of the business," when the same matter was under inquiry formerly (1Sa 19:22).
remain by the stone Ezel—Hebrew, "the stone of the way"; a sort of milestone which directed travellers. He was to conceal himself in some cave or hiding-place near that spot.
23. as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of—The plan being concerted, the friends separated for a time, and the amiable character of Jonathan again peers out in his parting allusion to their covenant of friendship.
1Sa 20:24-40. Saul, Missing David, Seeks to Kill Jonahan.
25. the king sat upon his seat, as at other times … by the wall—The left-hand corner at the upper end of a room was and still is in the East, the most honorable place. The person seated there has his left arm confined by the wall, but his right hand is at full liberty. From Abner's position next the king, and David's seat being left empty, it would seem that a state etiquette was observed at the royal table, each of the courtiers and ministers having places assigned them according to their respective gradations of rank.
Jonathan arose—either as a mark of respect on the entrance of the king, or in conformity with the usual Oriental custom for a son to stand in presence of his father.
26. he is not clean—No notice was taken of David's absence, as he might be laboring under some ceremonial defilement.
27. on the morrow, which was the second day of the month—The time of the moon's appearance being uncertain—whether at midday, in the evening, or at midnight, the festival was extended over two days. Custom, not the law, had introduced this.
Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse—The question was asked, as it were, casually, and with as great an air of indifference as he could assume. And Jonathan having replied that David had asked and obtained his permission to attend a family anniversary at Beth-lehem [Ac 20:28, 29], the pent-up passions of the king burst out in a most violent storm of rage and invective against his son.
30. Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman—This is a striking Oriental form of abuse. Saul was not angry with his wife; it was the son alone, upon whom he meant, by this style of address, to discharge his resentment. The principle on which it is founded seems to be, that to a genuine filial instinct it is a more inexpiable offense to hear the name or character of a parent traduced, than any personal reproach. This was, undoubtedly, one cause of "the fierce anger" in which the high-minded prince left the table without tasting a morsel.
33. Saul cast a javelin at him—This is a sad proof of the maniacal frenzy into which the unhappy monarch was transported.
35. Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed—or, "at the place appointed."
36. he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot—The direction given aloud to the attendant was the signal preconcerted with David. It implied danger.
40. Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad—that is, his missive weapons. The French word artillerie, signifies "archery." The term is still used in England, in the designation of the "artillery company of London," the association of archers, though they have long disused bows and arrows. Jonathan's boy being despatched out of the way, the friends enjoyed the satisfaction of a final meeting.
1Sa 20:41, 42. Jonathan and David Lovingly Part.
41, 42. David … fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times—a token of homage to the prince's rank; but on a close approach, every other consideration was sunk in the full flow of the purest brotherly affection.
42. Jonathan said to David, Go in peace—The interview being a stolen one, and every moment precious, it was kindness in Jonathan to hasten his friend's departure.