1 Samuel 20
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 20
Wiersbe - It was customary for each Jewish family to hold a feast at the new moon (Num. 10:10; 28:11–15; Ps. 81:3), and Saul would expect David to attend. If Saul’s son-in-law and leading military hero didn’t attend the feast, it would be an insult to the king as well as the family, so David’s absence would help reveal Saul’s genuine attitude toward David. (Borrow Be successful) But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening - NLT = "tomorrow I'll hide in the field and stay there until the evening of the third day." NEW MOON [SMITH] The first day of the lunar month was observed as a holy day. In addition to the daily sacrifice there were offered two young bullocks, a ram and seven lambs of the first year as a burnt offering, with the proper meat offerings and drink offerings, and a kid as a sin offering. (Numbers 28:11-15) As on the Sabbath, trade and handicraft work were stopped, (Amos 8:5) and the temple was opened for public worship. (Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 46:3) The trumpets were blown at the offering of the special sacrifices for the day, as on the solemn festivals. (Numbers 10:10; Psalms 81:3) It was an occasion for state banquets. (1 Samuel 20:5-24) In later, if not in earlier, times fasting was intermitted at the new moons. Judith 8:6. The new moons are generally mentioned so as to show that they were regarded as a peculiar class of holy days, distinguished from the solemn feasts and the Sabbaths. (1 Chronicles 113:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 8:13; 31;3; Ezra 3:5; Nehemiah 10:33; Ezekiel 45:17) The seventh new moon of the religious year, being that of Tisri, commenced the civil year, and had a significance and rites of its own. It was a day of holy convocation. The religious observance of the day of the new moon may plainly be regarded as the consecration of a natural division of time. John Walton - New Moon festival. Keyed to its use of a lunar calendar, ancient Israel marked the first day of the month, with its “new moon” phase, as a festival day (every twenty-nine or thirty days). As on the Sabbath all work was to cease (see Amos 8:5), and there were sacrifices to be made (Num 28:11–15). In the monarchy period the king became a prominent figure in these celebrations (see Ezek 45:17), and this may explain the political importance of Saul’s feast. The festival continued to be observed in the postexilic period as well (Ezra 3:5; Neh 10:33). New Moon festivals were also prominent in Mesopotamia from late in the third millennium down to the Neo-Babylonian period in the middle of the first millennium b.c. (IVP Background Commentary) Unger - New Moon (Heb. r˒ōsh ḥōdesh, “beginning of a month,” Num. 10:10; 28:11). The ordinary new moons, i.e., all except the seventh, were raised out of the rank of ordinary days, but not to that of festivals. They may be called demi-feast days and will therefore be inserted here. Origin. Many nations of antiquity celebrated the returning light of the moon with festivals, sacrifices, and prayers. Some believe that the object of Moses in providing for this occasion was to suppress heathen celebrations of the day. There was, however, a deeper meaning in this observance. The new moon stood as the representative of the month. For an individual day, a burnt offering that emphasized consecration to the Lord rather than atonement was sufficient. But for the month, because of sins committed and remaining unexpiated during the course of the month, a special sin offering for atonement was required. Thus, on the ground of the forgiveness and reconciliation with God thereby obtained, the people might be able in the burnt offering to consecrate their lives anew to the Lord. Mode of Ascertaining the New Moon. As the festivals, according to the Mosaic law, were always to be celebrated on the same day of the month, it was necessary to fix the commencement of the month. This was determined by the appearance of the new moon; for the new moon was reckoned not by astronomical calculation, but by actual personal observation. On the thirtieth day of the month watchmen were placed on commanding heights around Jerusalem to watch the sky. As soon as each of them detected the moon he hastened to a house in the city kept for this purpose and was there examined by the president of the Sanhedrin. When the evidence of the appearance was deemed satisfactory, the president stood up and formally announced it, uttering the words, “It is consecrated.” The information was immediately sent throughout the land from the Mount of Olives by beacon fires on the tops of the hills. The religious observance of the day of the new moon may plainly be regarded as the consecration of a natural division of time. Sacrifices. These were of two types: (1) the usual morning and evening sacrifices, with their grain and drink offerings, and (2) special sacrifices, consisting of two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year, as a burnt offering, with their grain and drink offerings. A goat was also presented as a sin offering, at which time the priests blew the silver trumpets (Num. 10:10; 28:11–15). It is evident from the writings of the prophets and from postexilic documents that the New Moon was an important national festival. It was often called a feast along with the Sabbath (Ps. 81:3; Isa. 1:13; Ezek. 46:1; Hos. 2:11), on which all business ceased (Amos 8:5), the pious Israelites waited on the prophets for edification (2 Kings 4:23), many families and clans presented their annual thank offerings (1 Sam. 20:6, 29), social gatherings and feasting were indulged in (vv. 5, 24), and the most devout persons omitted fasting (Judith 8:6). (Borrow The New Unger's Bible Dictionary) QUESTION - What was the significance of the new moon in Bible times? ANSWER - The significance of the new moon in Bible times is that it marked the beginning of a new month (the Hebrew calendar is lunar-based), and it was a time when the Israelites were to bring an offering to God. The beginning of the month was known not by astronomical calculations but by the testimony of messengers appointed to watch for the first visible appearance of the new moon. As soon as the first sliver was seen, the fact was announced throughout the whole country by signal fires on the mountaintops and the blowing of trumpets. The Hebrew word for “month” (hodesh) literally means “new moon.” In Numbers 28:11, the New Moon offering is commanded for the first time: “On the first of every month, present to the Lord a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.” Each of the animal sacrifices was to be accompanied by a grain offering and a drink offering (verses 12–14). In addition to burnt offerings, a goat was to be sacrificed to the Lord as a sin offering (verse 15). The New Moon festival marked the consecration to God of each new month in the year. New Moon festivals were marked by sacrifices, the blowing of trumpets over the sacrifices (Numbers 10:10), the suspension of all labor and trade (Nehemiah 10:31), and social or family feasts (1 Samuel 20:5). As with any religious ritual, there was a danger of observing the New Moon festivals without a true heart to follow God. Later in their history, the Israelites continued to observe the New Moon festivals outwardly, even after their hearts had turned cold toward God. They readily parted with their bulls and lambs and goats, but they would not give up their sins. They relied on the outward observations to cleanse them, even though there was still evil in their hearts (1Sa 16:7). God had severe words for such hypocrisy: “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them” (Isaiah 1:13–14). Sin is hateful to God, and no amount of ritual or ceremony or sacrament can make up for a sinful heart. “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being” (Psalm 51:6, ESV; see also Hosea 6:6). Observance of New Moon festivals and their sacrifices is no longer required. When the perfect Sacrifice, the spotless Lamb of God, appeared, He rendered the observation of these ordinances no longer necessary. All the righteous requirements of the Law were fulfilled by Him (Matthew 5:17), and His work on the cross means that no longer are sacrifices for sin required. Paul reminds us of this fact: “Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:16–17).GotQuestions.org 1 Samuel 20:6 "If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.' BGT 1 Samuel 20:6 ἐὰν ἐπισκεπτόμενος ἐπισκέψηταί με ὁ πατήρ σου καὶ ἐρεῖς παραιτούμενος παρῃτήσατο ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ Δαυιδ δραμεῖν ἕως εἰς Βηθλεεμ τὴν πόλιν αὐτοῦ ὅτι θυσία τῶν ἡμερῶν ἐκεῖ ὅλῃ τῇ φυλῇ LXE 1 Samuel 20:6 And if thy father do in anywise enquire for me, then shalt thou say, David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethleem his city, for there is there, a yearly sacrifice for all the family. KJV 1 Samuel 20:6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. NET 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father happens to miss me, you should say, 'David urgently requested me to let him go to his city Bethlehem, for there is an annual sacrifice there for his entire family.' CSB 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, say, 'David urgently requested my permission to quickly go to his town Bethlehem for an annual sacrifice there involving the whole clan.' ESV 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.' NIV 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, tell him, 'David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.' NLT 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family sacrifice. NRS 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.' NJB 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father notices my absence, you must say, "David insistently asked me for permission to hurry over to Bethlehem, his home town, because they are holding the annual sacrifice there for the whole clan." NAB 1 Samuel 20:6 If it turns out that your father misses me, say, 'David urged me to let him go on short notice to his city Bethlehem, because his whole clan is holding its seasonal sacrifice there.' YLT 1 Samuel 20:6 if thy father at all look after me, and thou hast said, David asked earnestly of me to run to Beth-Lehem his city, for a sacrifice of the days is there for all the family. Bethlehem: 1Sa 17:58 Joh 7:42 sacrifice: or, feast, 1Sa 9:12 16:2-5 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID'S TEST PROPOSAL If your father misses me at all - NJB = "If your father notices my absence". This is hardly a probability. Saul missed David three times literally with his spear and he would surely miss him with his eyes this time. Then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family - David is giving the details of the plan for their secret communication. David's statement is not necessarily true (but see Spurgeon below), much like Michal had lied to Saul about David's threatening her which forced her to help him. None of these people were sinless, but like today there were some (certainly Jonathan and David would be in that group) that sin LESS!
1 Samuel 20
Wiersbe - Jonathan went beyond the immediate crisis to deal with future events. He knew that David would one day become king, and he prayed that the Lord would bless his reign. In their covenant, they agreed that Jonathan would serve next to David as second in command (23:16–18), and now Jonathan asked that if anything happened to him, David would promise not to wipe out his household, and David agreed. The phrase “the kindness of the Lord” (1Sa 20:14) shows up in 2 Samuel 9 where David’s compassionate care of Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth, is described.....David never had a co-regent because Jonathan was killed in battle (1Sa 31:1–2), and David rejected Saul’s daughter Michal as his wife and she died childless (2Sa 6:16–23). Had she borne any children, it would have brought confusion into the royal line. (Borrow Be successful)
1 Samuel 20
Wiersbe has a interesting comment on Ezel - It seems that David had a special hiding place that only Jonathan knew about, the place by the stone Ezel where David hid when all his trouble with Saul began (1Sa 19:2; 20:19). The Hebrew word ezel means “the departure,” a significant thing when you realize that it was there that David and Jonathan departed from each other and David departed from the service of Saul (Borrow Be successful) Easton's Dictionary on Ezel (meaning = a separation or departure) -- (1Sa 20:19), a stone, or heap of stones, in the neighbourhood of Saul's residence, the scene of the parting of David and Jonathan (1Sa 20:42). The margin of the Authorized Version reads, "The stone that sheweth the way," in this rendering following the Targum. 1 Samuel 20:20 "I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target. BGT 1 Samuel 20:20 καὶ ἐγὼ τρισσεύσω ταῖς σχίζαις ἀκοντίζων ἐκπέμπων εἰς τὴν αματταρι LXE 1 Samuel 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows, aiming them at a mark. KJV 1 Samuel 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. NET 1 Samuel 20:20 I will shoot three arrows near it, as though I were shooting at a target. CSB 1 Samuel 20:20 I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I'm aiming at a target. ESV 1 Samuel 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. NIV 1 Samuel 20:20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. NLT 1 Samuel 20:20 I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target. NRS 1 Samuel 20:20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. NJB 1 Samuel 20:20 For my part, the day after tomorrow I shall shoot three arrows in that direction, as though at a target. NAB 1 Samuel 20:20 On the third day of the month I will shoot arrows, as though aiming at a target. YLT 1 Samuel 20:20 'And I shoot three of the arrows at the side, sending out for myself at a mark; 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JONATHAN'S THREE ARROW TEST I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target - Any spies for Saul would not be suspicious of a warrior practicing his archery technique! They might wonder why he so badly missed the target. 1 Samuel 20:21 "And behold, I will send the lad, saying,' Go, find the arrows.' If I specifically say to the lad, 'Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,' then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD lives. BGT 1 Samuel 20:21 καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀποστελῶ τὸ παιδάριον λέγων δεῦρο εὑρέ μοι τὴν σχίζαν ἐὰν εἴπω λέγων τῷ παιδαρίῳ ὧδε ἡ σχίζα ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ ὧδε λαβὲ αὐτήν παραγίνου ὅτι εἰρήνη σοι καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν λόγος ζῇ κύριος LXE 1 Samuel 20:21 And behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go find me the arrow. 22 If I should expressly say to the lad, The arrow is here, and on this side of thee, take it; then come, for it is well with thee, and there is no reason for fear, as the Lord lives: but if I should say thus to the young man, The arrow is on that side of thee, and beyond; go, for the Lord hath sent thee away. KJV 1 Samuel 20:21 And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth. NET 1 Samuel 20:21 When I send a boy after them, I will say, "Go and find the arrows." If I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them,' then come back. For as surely as the LORD lives, you will be safe and there will no problem. CSB 1 Samuel 20:21 Then I will send the young man and say, 'Go and find the arrows! ' Now, if I expressly say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you-- get them,' then come, because as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no problem. ESV 1 Samuel 20:21 And behold, I will send the boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,' then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. NIV 1 Samuel 20:21 Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,' then come, because, as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe; there is no danger. NLT 1 Samuel 20:21 Then I will send a boy to bring the arrows back. If you hear me tell him, 'They're on this side,' then you will know, as surely as the LORD lives, that all is well, and there is no trouble. NRS 1 Samuel 20:21 Then I will send the boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, collect them,' then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. NJB 1 Samuel 20:21 I shall then send a servant to go and find the arrows. If I say to him, "The arrows are this side of you, get them," come out, since all will be well for you and nothing the matter, as sure as Yahweh lives. NAB 1 Samuel 20:21 I will then send my attendant to go and recover the arrows. If in fact I say to him, 'Look, the arrow is this side of you; pick it up,' come, for you are safe. As the LORD lives, there will be nothing to fear. YLT 1 Samuel 20:21 and lo, I send the youth: Go, find the arrows. If I at all say to the youth, Lo, the arrows are on this side of thee -- take them, -- then come thou, for peace is for thee, and there is nothing; Jehovah liveth. as the: Jer 4:2 5:2 12:16 Am 8:14 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ARROWS ON ONE SIDE SIGNAL SAFETY And behold, I will send the lad, saying,' Go, find the arrows.' If I specifically say to the lad, 'Behold (hinneh), the arrows are on this side of you, get them,' then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the LORD (Jehovah - Yahweh) lives - NLT - Then I will send a boy to bring the arrows back. If you hear me tell him, 'They're on this side,' then you will know, as surely as the LORD lives, that all is well, and there is no trouble. 1 Samuel 20:22 "But if I say to the youth, 'Behold, the arrows are beyond you,' go, for the LORD has sent you away. BGT 1 Samuel 20:22 ἐὰν τάδε εἴπω τῷ νεανίσκῳ ὧδε ἡ σχίζα ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ ἐπέκεινα πορεύου ὅτι ἐξαπέσταλκέν σε κύριος LXE 1 Samuel 20:22 If I should expressly say to the lad, The arrow is here, and on this side of thee, take it; then come, for it is well with thee, and there is no reason for fear, as the Lord lives: but if I should say thus to the young man, The arrow is on that side of thee, and beyond; go, for the Lord hath sent thee away. KJV 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. NET 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say to the boy, "Look, the arrows are on the other side of you,' get away. For in that case the LORD has sent you away. CSB 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say this to the youth: 'Look, the arrows are beyond you! ' then go, for the LORD is sending you away. ESV 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say to the youth, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the LORD has sent you away. NIV 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then you must go, because the LORD has sent you away. NLT 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I tell him, 'Go farther-- the arrows are still ahead of you,' then it will mean that you must leave immediately, for the LORD is sending you away. NRS 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go; for the LORD has sent you away. NJB 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say to him, "The arrows are ahead of you," then be off, for Yahweh himself will be sending you away. NAB 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrow is beyond you,' go, for the LORD sends you away. YLT 1 Samuel 20:22 And if thus I say to the young man, Lo, the arrows are beyond thee, -- go, for Jehovah hath sent thee away; 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ARROWS BEYOND DAVID SIGNAL DANGER! But if I say to the youth, 'Behold (hinneh), the arrows are beyond you,' go, for the LORD (Jehovah - Yahweh) has sent you away - NLT = But if I tell him, 'Go farther-- the arrows are still ahead of you,' then it will mean that you must leave immediately, for the LORD is sending you away. Note how Jonathan see Jehovah as sovereign over these events and thus in full control of the safety of His beloved! 1 Samuel 20:23 "As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever." BGT 1 Samuel 20:23 καὶ τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐλαλήσαμεν ἐγὼ καὶ σύ ἰδοὺ κύριος μάρτυς ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος LXE 1 Samuel 20:23 And as for the word which thou and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is witness between me and thee for ever. KJV 1 Samuel 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever. NET 1 Samuel 20:23 With regard to the matter that you and I discussed, the LORD is the witness between us forever!" CSB 1 Samuel 20:23 As for the matter you and I have spoken about, the LORD will be a witness between you and me forever." ESV 1 Samuel 20:23 And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever." NIV 1 Samuel 20:23 And about the matter you and I discussed--remember, the LORD is witness between you and me forever." NLT 1 Samuel 20:23 And may the LORD make us keep our promises to each other, for he has witnessed them." NRS 1 Samuel 20:23 As for the matter about which you and I have spoken, the LORD is witness between you and me forever." NJB 1 Samuel 20:23 And as regards the agreement we made, you and I, why, Yahweh is witness between us for ever.' NAB 1 Samuel 20:23 However, in the matter which you and I have discussed, the LORD shall be between you and me forever." YLT 1 Samuel 20:23 as to the thing which we have spoken, I and thou, lo, Jehovah is between me and thee -- unto the age.' the agreement: 1Sa 20:14,15 the Lord: 1Sa 20:42 Ge 16:5 31:50 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JONATHAN REAFFIRMS THEIR COVENANT IS FOREVER As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold (hinneh), the LORD (Jehovah - Yahweh) is between you and me forever - Who better to have between you than Jehovah! THOUGHT- Would it be true that we could all make this statement about our covenant of marriage, that Jehovah Himself would be between us, uniting us, yea, even "gluing" us as "one flesh" forever. Amen. 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. BGT 1 Samuel 20:24 καὶ κρύπτεται Δαυιδ ἐν ἀγρῷ καὶ παραγίνεται ὁ μήν καὶ ἔρχεται ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τὴν τράπεζαν τοῦ φαγεῖν LXE 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hides himself in the field, and the new month arrives, and the king comes to the table to eat. KJV 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. NET 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat down to eat his meal. CSB 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the field. At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal. ESV 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. NIV 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon festival came, the king sat down to eat. NLT 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid himself in the field, and when the new moon festival began, the king sat down to eat. NRS 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat at the feast to eat. NJB 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the country; New Moon came and the king sat down to his meal. NAB 1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the open country. On the day of the new moon, when the king sat at table to dine, YLT 1 Samuel 20:24 And David is hidden in the field, and it is the new moon, and the king sitteth down by the food to eat, the king: Ps 50:16-21 Pr 4:17 15:17 17:1 21:3,27 Isa 1:11-15 Zec 7:6 Joh 18:28 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID HIDES SAUL SITS So David hid in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food - David patiently prepares for the "arrow-gram" message. 1 Samuel 20:25 The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. BGT 1 Samuel 20:25 καὶ ἐκάθισεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τὴν καθέδραν αὐτοῦ ὡς ἅπαξ καὶ ἅπαξ ἐπὶ τῆς καθέδρας παρὰ τοῖχον καὶ προέφθασεν τὸν Ιωναθαν καὶ ἐκάθισεν Αβεννηρ ἐκ πλαγίων Σαουλ καὶ ἐπεσκέπη ὁ τόπος Δαυιδ LXE 1 Samuel 20:25 And he sat upon his seat as in former times, even on his seat by the wall, and he went before Jonathan; and Abenner sat on one side of Saul, and the place of David was empty. KJV 1 Samuel 20:25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. NET 1 Samuel 20:25 The king sat down in his usual place by the wall, with Jonathan opposite him and Abner at his side. But David's place was vacant. CSB 1 Samuel 20:25 He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David's place was empty. ESV 1 Samuel 20:25 The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. NIV 1 Samuel 20:25 He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place was empty. NLT 1 Samuel 20:25 He sat at his usual place against the wall, with Jonathan sitting opposite him and Abner beside him. But David's place was empty. NRS 1 Samuel 20:25 The king sat upon his seat, as at other times, upon the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood, while Abner sat by Saul's side; but David's place was empty. NJB 1 Samuel 20:25 He sat in his usual place with his back to the wall, Jonathan sat facing him and Abner sat next to Saul; but David's place was empty. NAB 1 Samuel 20:25 taking his usual place against the wall, Jonathan sat facing him, while Abner sat at the king's side, and David's place was vacant. YLT 1 Samuel 20:25 and the king sitteth on his seat, as time by time, on a seat by the wall, and Jonathan riseth, and Abner sitteth at the side of Saul, and David's place is looked after. as at other times: Jdg 16:20 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ALL SEATS OCCUPIED EXCEPT DAVID'S SEAT The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall - Note his seat by the wall probably out of fear someone might attack from behind. then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul's side - Jonathan was opposite Saul who had his chief military man at his side, presumably giving him a sense of added security. but David's place was empty - This would be the text for Saul's temperament. 1 Samuel 20:26 Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, "It is an accident, he is not clean, surely he is not clean." BGT 1 Samuel 20:26 καὶ οὐκ ἐλάλησεν Σαουλ οὐδὲν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ὅτι εἶπεν σύμπτωμα φαίνεται μὴ καθαρὸς εἶναι ὅτι οὐ κεκαθάρισται LXE 1 Samuel 20:26 And Saul said nothing on that day, for he said, It seems to have fallen out that he is not clean, because he has not purified himself. KJV 1 Samuel 20:26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. NET 1 Samuel 20:26 However, Saul said nothing about it that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to make him ceremonially unclean. Yes, he must be unclean." CSB 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, "Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean-- yes, that's it, he is unclean." ESV 1 Samuel 20:26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean." NIV 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, "Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean--surely he is unclean." NLT 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul didn't say anything about it that day, for he said to himself, "Something must have made David ceremonially unclean." NRS 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul did not say anything that day; for he thought, "Something has befallen him; he is not clean, surely he is not clean." NJB 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul said nothing that day, thinking, 'It is sheer chance; he is unclean.' NAB 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul, however, said nothing that day, for he thought, "He must have become unclean by accident, and not yet have been cleansed." YLT 1 Samuel 20:26 And Saul hath not spoken anything on that day, for he said, 'It is an accident; he is not clean -- surely not clean.' he is not clean: Lev 7:21 11:24,27,31,40 15:5,16,17,19-21 Nu 19:16 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL SILENT ABOUT DAVI'S ABSENCE Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought ("said to himself"), "It is an accident, he is not clean (tahor; Lxx - katharos), surely he is not clean (tahor; Lxx - katharizo)- Saul reasons that David is absent because he is ritually unclean. So notice that Saul said nothing about David's absent, but note the repetition of his thought (clean mentioned twice), as if he could not get this thought out of his mind. While he may have been consuming food, he was consumed with envy, suspicion and animosity toward David. Warren Wiersbe points out that "The feast consisted primarily of meat from the new moon fellowship offerings (ED: THIS IS A BIT IRONIC AS SAUL HAD ANYTHING BUT "FELLOWSHIP" IN MIND FOR DAVID!), and anyone ceremonially unclean was prohibited from participating (Lev. 7:20–21). Perhaps David had touched something unclean, or he may have had intercourse with his wife (Lev 15:16–18). If so, all he had to do was separate himself from other people for that day, bathe his body, and change clothes, and he could come back into society the next day." (Borrow Be successful) John Walton - ceremonial uncleanness. Saul considers David’s absence to be likely due to ritual impurity. No one could participate in cultic activity, like the New Moon festival, when in a state of uncleanness. This could occur in a variety of ways: contact with bodily discharges such as semen or blood; contact with the dead or the diseased; and contact with an object that has come in contact with something that is unclean (see the laws of impurity and the methods for ritual cleansing in Lev 11–15). Bathing, a waiting period, sacrifices and examination by a priest were the principal means of purification.(IVP Background Commentary) 1 Samuel 20:27 It came about the next day, the second day of the new moon, that David's place was empty; so Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?" BGT 1 Samuel 20:27 καὶ ἐγενήθη τῇ ἐπαύριον τοῦ μηνὸς τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ καὶ ἐπεσκέπη ὁ τόπος τοῦ Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς Ιωναθαν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τί ὅτι οὐ παραγέγονεν ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι καὶ ἐχθὲς καὶ σήμερον ἐπὶ τὴν τράπεζαν LXE 1 Samuel 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, on the second day of the month, that the place of David was empty; and Saul said to Jonathan his son, Why has not the son of Jessae attended both yesterday and today at the table? KJV 1 Samuel 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? NET 1 Samuel 20:27 But the next morning, the second day of the new moon, David's place was still vacant. So Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why has Jesse's son not come to the meal yesterday or today?" CSB 1 Samuel 20:27 However, the day after the New Moon, the second day, David's place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, "Why didn't Jesse's son come to the meal either yesterday or today?" ESV 1 Samuel 20:27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?" NIV 1 Samuel 20:27 But the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was empty again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?" NLT 1 Samuel 20:27 But when David's place was empty again the next day, Saul asked Jonathan, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse been here for the meal either yesterday or today?" NRS 1 Samuel 20:27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast, either yesterday or today?" NJB 1 Samuel 20:27 On the day after New Moon, the second day, David's place was still empty. NAB 1 Samuel 20:27 On the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was vacant. Saul inquired of his son Jonathan, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to table yesterday or today?" YLT 1 Samuel 20:27 And it cometh to pass on the second morrow of the new moon, that David's place is looked after, and Saul saith unto Jonathan his son, 'Wherefore hath the son of Jesse not come in, either yesterday or to-day, unto the food?' Wherefore: 1Sa 18:11 19:9,10,15 the son: 1Sa 22:7-9,13,14 25:10 Isa 11:1,2 Mt 13:55 1Pe 2:4 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID'S SEAT EMPTY A SECOND DAY STIRS SAUL'S IRE It came about the next day, the second day of the new moon, that David's place was empty - This second day would be a supreme text for Saul and this time instead of reasoning to himself he asks Jonathan who is seated across from him at the table. So Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today - It is difficult to imagine Saul does not have a clue why David is not present. Notice Saul does not use his name but refers to him as "son of Jesse." Saul has already tried repeatedly to kill David! Instead of "stuck pig" for the feast it might have been "stuck" David!
1 Samuel 20
Wiersbe comments that "The king’s tirade seems to disparage his own wife, but rightly understood, his words describe his son as the lowest of the low. According to Saul, Jonathan’s treachery in befriending David indicated that he was not Saul’s son at all but the son of some other man, for a son of Saul would never betray his father. Therefore, Jonathan was slandering his own mother and saying she was a common prostitute, a rebel against the Law of Moses, and a woman who practiced perversion. Because Jonathan helped David and didn’t protect his father’s throne, he had shamed his mother as much as if he had exposed her nakedness. She bore him to be the successor to his father, and now Jonathan had refused the crown in favor of the son of Jesse. The king was shouting, “You are no son of mine! You must be illegitimate!” (Borrow Be successful) A Genuine Friend Two are better than one. — Ecclesiastes 4:9 Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Samuel 20:32-42 In the novel Shane, a friendship forms between Joe Starrett, a farmer on the American frontier, and Shane, a mysterious man who stops to rest at the Starrett home. The men first bond as they work together to remove a giant tree stump from Joe’s land. The relationship deepens as Joe rescues Shane from a fight and Shane helps Joe improve and guard his farmland. The men share a sense of mutual respect and loyalty that reflects what Scripture says: “Two are better than one . . . . If they fall, one will lift up his companion” (Eccl. 4:9-10). Jonathan and David modeled this principle as well. Circumstances tested their friendship when David suspected that King Saul wanted him dead. Jonathan doubted this, but David believed it to be true (1 Sam. 20:2-3). Eventually, they decided David would hide in a field while Jonathan questioned his father about the matter. When Saul’s deadly intent became clear, the friends wept together and Jonathan blessed David as he fled (v.42). What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven Jesus is your most trusted Friend. Friends In The Night The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. — 1 Samuel 18:1 Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:30-42 Do you have someone you could call in the middle of the night if you needed help? Bible teacher Ray Pritchard calls these people “2 a.m. friends.” If you have an emergency, this kind of friend would ask you two questions: “Where are you?” and “What do you need?” Friends like that are crucial during difficult times. Jonathan was that type of friend for David. Jonathan’s father, King Saul—who was filled with envy at David’s popularity and God’s blessing on him—tried to kill him (1 Sam. 19:9-10). David escaped and asked his friend for help (ch. 20). While David hid in the field, Jonathan sat at dinner with his father and quickly realized that Saul did indeed intend to kill David (vv.24-34). Because of their deep friendship, Jonathan “was grieved for David” (v.34). He warned him of his father’s plan and told him he should leave (vv.41-42). David recognized what a good friend he had in Jonathan. The Bible says they wept together, “but David more so” (v.41). Their souls were “knit” together. Thank God for you, good friend of mine, Seldom is friendship such as thine; How very much I wish to be As helpful as you’ve been to me. —Clark A true friend stands with us in times of trial. Best Friends The righteous should choose his friends carefully. — Proverbs 12:26 Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:30-42 When I signed up for a popular Internet social network, I was shocked to be greeted with the words, “You have no friends.” Although I knew it was untrue, I still felt sad for a moment. The idea that anyone, even an impersonal Web site, would call me friendless was upsetting. Friends are essential for our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Friends listen to our heartaches without blaming us for having problems. They defend us when we’re under attack. They are happy when we succeed and sad when we fail. They give us wise counsel to keep us from making foolish choices. They even risk making us angry for the sake of making us right. My friends have done all of this and more for me. Perhaps the best-known friendship in the Bible is that of Jonathan and David. Jonathan was heir to the throne of his father Saul. But he knew that the Lord had chosen David for that role, so he risked his own life to save his friend (1 Sam. 20). I do not ask for many friends, But give me, Lord, the few Whose loyalty and faithfulness Are first of all to You. —Meadows True friends are like diamonds—precious and rare. 1 Samuel 20:31 "For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die." BGT 1 Samuel 20:31 ὅτι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι ζῇ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς οὐχ ἑτοιμασθήσεται ἡ βασιλεία σου νῦν οὖν ἀποστείλας λαβὲ τὸν νεανίαν ὅτι υἱὸς θανάτου οὗτος LXE 1 Samuel 20:31 For so long as the son of Jessae lives upon the earth, thy kingdom shall not be established: now then send and take the young man, for he shall surely die. KJV 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. NET 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as this son of Jesse is alive on the earth, you and your kingdom will not be established. Now, send some men and bring him to me. For he is as good as dead!" CSB 1 Samuel 20:31 Every day Jesse's son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me-- he deserves to die." ESV 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." NIV 1 Samuel 20:31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he must die!" NLT 1 Samuel 20:31 As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you'll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!" NRS 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." NJB 1 Samuel 20:31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on earth, neither you nor your royal rights are secure. Now have him fetched and brought to me; he deserves to die.' NAB 1 Samuel 20:31 Why, as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, you cannot make good your claim to the kingship! So send for him, and bring him to me, for he is doomed." YLT 1 Samuel 20:31 for all the days that the son of Jesse liveth on the ground thou art not established, thou and thy kingdom; and now, send and bring him unto me, for he is a son of death.' send: 1Sa 20:8 19:6,11-15 shall surely die: Heb. is the son of death, 1Sa 26:16 2Sa 19:28 Ps 79:11 1 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL AFFIRMS DAVID MUST DIE IF JONATHAN IS EVER TO REIGN For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die - Saul knew that Jonathan knew were David was hiding. Saul is commanding his son to go and get David so he could kill him!
1 Samuel 20
Wiersbe points out that this "was not their last meeting (1Sa 23:16–18), but it was certainly a profoundly emotional farewell. They both wept, but David wept the most. He didn’t know how many years of exile lay before him, and perhaps he might never see his beloved friend again. Eastern peoples aren’t ashamed to weep, embrace, and kiss one another when they meet or when they part (Gen. 31:55; Acts 20:37). Jonathan’s, “Go in peace” must have encouraged David. Both men reaffirmed their covenant, knowing that the Lord heard their words and saw their hearts. David left and traveled three miles to the priestly city of Nob, and Jonathan returned to Gibeah and continued to be an officer in his father’s army. Ten years later, the Philistines would kill Saul, Jonathan, and his brothers on the battlefield (1Sa. 31:1–6). (Borrow Be successful) Play Michael Smith's "Friends are Friends Forever" Packing up the dreams God planted In the fertile soil of you Can't believe the hopes He's granted Means a chapter in your life is through But we'll keep you close as always It won't even seem you've gone 'Cause our hearts in big and small ways Will keep the love that keeps us strong And friends are friends forever If the Lord's the Lord of them And a friend will not say never 'Cause the welcome will not end Though it's hard to let you go In the Father's hands we know That a lifetime's not too long To live as friends With the faith and love God's given Springing from the hope we know We will pray the joy you'll live in Is the strength that now you show But we'll keep you close as always It won't even seem you've gone 'Cause our hearts in big and small ways Will keep the love that keeps us strong And friends are friends forever If the Lord's the Lord of them And a friend will not say never 'Cause the welcome will not end Though it's hard to let you go In the Father's hands we know That a lifetime's not too long To live as friends