1 Samuel 20
Overview
20:1 David consults with Jonathan for his safety;
20:11 Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath;
20:18 Jonathan's token to David;
20:24 Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan;
20:35 Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David. Verse 1 fled 1 Samuel 19:19-24, 23:26-28; Psalm 124:6-8; 2 Peter 2:9 What have 1 Samuel 12:3, 24:11, 24:17; Psalm 7:3-5, 18:20-24; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 John 3:21 Reciprocal Numbers 35:20 - by laying; 2 Samuel 4:8 - sought; Psalm 7:4 - without; Habakkuk 3:1 - escaped Verse 2 God forbid 1 Samuel 14:45; Genesis 44:7; Joshua 22:29, 24:16; Luke 20:16 show it meHeb. uncover mine ear, 1 Samuel 20:12, 9:15 *marg. Psalm 40:6; Isaiah 50:5; John 15:15, 17:8 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 19:2 - Jonathan; 22:8 - showeth me; 2 Samuel 1:23 - pleasant Verse 3 sware Deuteronomy 6:13; Jeremiah 4:2; Habakkuk 3:1 but truly 1 Samuel 25:26, 27:1; 2 Samuel 15:21; 2 Kings 2:2, 2:4, 2:6 as thy soul 1 Samuel 1:26, 17:55; Jeremiah 38:16 but a step 1 Samuel 27:1; Deuteronomy 28:66; Psalm 116:3; 1 Corinthians 15:30, 15:31; 2 Corinthians 1:9, 1:10 Reciprocal Genesis 26:31 - sware; 27:2 - I know not; 33:10 - if now; 42:15 - By the life; Numbers 32:5 - if we have; 1 Samuel 2:6 - he bringeth; 29:6 - the Lord; 2 Samuel 11:11 - as thou livest; 14:19 - As thy soul; 14:22 - I have found; 1 Kings 17:12 - As the Lord; Psalm 118:13 - General; 119:87 - almost; 119:109 - My soul; 2 Corinthians 1:8 - insomuch Verse 4 Whatsoeveretc. or, Say what is thy mind, and I will do, etcdesirethHeb. speaketh, or thinketh
Verse 5 the new moonThe months of the Hebrews were lunar months, and they reckoned from one new moon to another: and, as their feasts, particularly the passover, were reckoned according to this, they were very scrupulous in observing the first appearance of each new moon. On these new moons, they offered sacrifices, and feasted together, but the gathering together of all the families of a tribe on such occasions seems to have taken place only once in the year. 1 Samuel 20:6; Numbers 10:10, 28:11; 2 Kings 4:23; Psalm 81:3; Colossians 2:16 that I may 1 Samuel 20:19, 19:2; Psalm 55:12; Proverbs 22:3; John 8:59; Acts 17:14 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 20:18 - new moon Verse 6 Bethlehem 1 Samuel 17:58; John 7:42 sacrificeor, feast, 1 Samuel 9:12, 16:2-5 Reciprocal 20:5 - the new moon; 20:28 - General; Luke 2:4 - unto Verse 7 It is well Deuteronomy 1:23; 2 Samuel 17:4 evil 1 Samuel 20:9, 25:17; Esther 7:7 Reciprocal Genesis 24:14 - thereby; 1 Samuel 20:32 - what hath; Psalm 56:5 - all Verse 8 deal kindly Genesis 24:49, 47:29; Joshua 2:14; Ruth 1:8; Proverbs 3:3 thou hast 1 Samuel 20:16, 18:3, 23:18 if there be Joshua 22:22; 2 Samuel 14:32; Psalm 7:4, 7:5; Acts 25:11 why shouldest 1 Chronicles 12:17; Psalm 116:11 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 20:31 - send; 22:8 - that my son; 29:8 - But what have; 2 Samuel 21:7 - because; Psalm 7:3 - if I Verse 9 then would 1 Samuel 20:38, 20:42, 19:2 Reciprocal 19:3 - what I see; 20:7 - evil; 25:17 - evil; Esther 7:7 - for he saw Verse 10 answer thee 1 Samuel 20:30-34, 25:10, 25:14, 25:17; Genesis 42:7, 42:30; 1 Kings 12:13; Proverbs 18:23
Verse 12 O LordThis verse is evidently deficient. The LXX have Κυριος ο Θεος Ισραηλ οιδεν, "The Lord God of Israel doth know;" the Syraic and Arabic, "The Lord God of Israel is witness;" either of which makes good sense. But two of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts supply the word chai, "liveth;" and the text reads thus: "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, when I have sounded my father - if there be good unto David, and I then send not unto thee," etc.; which is a still better sense. Joshua 22:22; Job 31:4; Psalm 17:3, 139:1-4 soundedHeb. searched, Proverbs 20:5, 25:2, 25:3 show it theeHeb. uncover thine ear, 1 Samuel 20:2 Reciprocal 23:18 - General Verse 13 The Lord do 1 Samuel 3:17, 25:22; Ruth 1:17; 2 Samuel 3:35, 19:13; 1 Kings 19:2, 20:10 the Lord be 1 Samuel 17:37; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 22:11, 22:16; Matthew 28:20; Philippians 4:9 he hath been with my father 1 Samuel 10:7, 11:6-13, 14:47; 2 Samuel 7:15 Reciprocal Genesis 21:23 - swear; Joshua 1:17 - only the Lord; 1 Samuel 19:3 - what I see; 22:8 - that my son; 1 Kings 1:37 - As the; 2 Thessalonians 3:16 - The Lord be Verse 14 the kindness 2 Samuel 9:3; Ephesians 5:1, 5:2 Reciprocal Genesis 31:44 - let us; 40:14 - show; Joshua 2:12 - swear; 1 Samuel 20:23 - the matter; 24:21 - Swear; 2 Samuel 9:1 - show him Verse 15 thou shalt 1 Samuel 24:21; 2 Samuel 9:1-7, 21:7 Reciprocal Genesis 40:14 - show; Joshua 2:12 - swear; 1 Samuel 20:23 - the matter Verse 16 madeHeb. cut, 1 Samuel 18:3; Genesis 15:18 Let the Lord 1 Samuel 25:22, 31:2; 2 Samuel 4:7, 4:8, 21:8 Reciprocal Genesis 26:31 - sware; Joshua 22:23 - let the Lord; 1 Samuel 20:8 - thou hast; Jeremiah 40:9 - sware Verse 17 because he loved himor, by his love toward himfor he loved 1 Samuel 18:1, 18:3; Deuteronomy 13:6; 2 Samuel 1:26; Proverbs 18:24 Reciprocal Genesis 21:23 - swear; 24:3 - swear; 26:31 - sware; Joshua 2:12 - swear; 2 Samuel 21:7 - because; Proverbs 17:17 - General; Jeremiah 40:9 - sware Verse 18 new moon 1 Samuel 20:5 and thou shaltAmong the forms of salutation and compliment used in Persia, one was, according to my mode of notation in italics, Ja i shama khali bud pish yaran, signifying, Thy place or seat was empty among thy friends. This phrase, or the greater part of it, was frequently addressed to myself when coming into a circle of Persian acquaintances, after an absence of several days or weeks. It reminded me of a passage in the First book of Samuel - 20:18. And thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And again, David's place was empty." Sir W. Ouseley's Travels, vol i. preface, p.16.emptyHeb. missedReciprocal Colossians 2:16 - the new Verse 19 quicklyor, diligently, Heb. greatlyhide thyself 1 Samuel 20:5, 19:2 when the businessHeb. in the day of the businessEzelor, that sheweth the way.Reciprocal 20:35 - at the time Verse 20 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 20:36 - Run Verse 21 noHeb. not any thingas the Jeremiah 4:2, 5:2, 12:16; Amos 8:14 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 20:36 - Run; 1 Kings 1:29 - As the; 17:12 - As the Lord; Job 27:2 - God liveth Verse 22 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 20:36 - beyond him; 20:42 - Go in peace Verse 23 the matter 1 Samuel 20:14, 20:15 the Lord 20:42; Genesis 16:5, 31:50 Reciprocal 2 Corinthians 9:1 - touching Verse 24 the king Psalm 50:16-21; Proverbs 4:17, 15:17, 17:1, 21:3, 21:27; Isaiah 1:11-15; Zechariah 7:6; John 18:28 Reciprocal Psalm 35:16 - hypocritical Verse 25 as at other times Judges 16:20
Verse 26 he is not clean Leviticus 7:21, 11:24, 11:27, 11:31, 11:40, 15:5, 15:16, 15:17, 15:19-21; Numbers 19:16 Reciprocal 11:26 - went not out; Ecclesiastes 10:13 - beginning; Zephaniah 1:7 - bid Verse 27 Wherefore 1 Samuel 18:11, 19:9, 19:10, 19:15 the son 22:7-9, 22:13, 22:14, 25:10; Isaiah 11:1, 11:2; Matthew 13:55; 1 Peter 2:4 Reciprocal 2 Chronicles 10:16 - the son Verse 28 1 Samuel 20:6
Verse 29 my brother 1 Samuel 17:28 Reciprocal 6:14 - offered; 16:2 - I am come; Esther 8:5 - if I Verse 30 Saul's Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:29, 19:12, 19:19, 21:24, 25:28, 27:3; James 1:19, 1:20 Thouetc. or, Thou perverse rebel, Heb. Son of perverse rebellion, Proverbs 15:2, 21:24; Matthew 5:22; Ephesians 4:31, 6:4 and unto theThis reflection on the mother of Jonathan, by the passionate monarch, reflects more dishonour on himself than on his brave and noble minded son. Mungo Park gives an instance of the prevalence of the same principles in Africa; for he says, "Maternal affection is every where conspicuous among the Africans, and creates a correspondent return of tenderness in the child. Strike me,' said my attendant, but do not curse my mother.' I found the same sentiment to prevail universally in all parts of Africa." King Saul, unable to villify Jonathan to his own satisfaction by personal reproaches, outstepped the ordinary abuse of his day, and proceeded to that which was designed to produce unusual vexation, and vented the bitterness of his mind by maligning the character of his own wife and Jonathan's mother.Reciprocal 1 Samuel 20:10 - answer thee; 22:7 - the son of Jesse; 22:8 - that my son; 24:20 - I know well; 25:10 - Who is David; 1 Kings 12:13 - answered; 2 Chronicles 10:16 - the son; Psalm 120:6 - soul; 124:3 - their wrath; Proverbs 12:16 - fool's; 18:3 - General; Daniel 3:13 - in his; Matthew 1:6 - Jesse Verse 31 send 1 Samuel 20:8, 19:6, 19:11-15 shall surely dieHeb. is the son of death, 26:16; 2 Samuel 19:28; Psalm 79:11 *marg.Reciprocal Genesis 2:17 - surely; 23:2 - Kirjatharba; 1 Samuel 14:39 - General; 18:8 - and what; 22:16 - Thou shalt; 23:17 - that also Saul; 24:20 - I know well; 2 Samuel 12:5 - shall surely die; 1 Kings 12:13 - answered; 2 Chronicles 10:16 - the son; Psalm 35:12 - spoiling; 119:23 - Princes; Proverbs 19:19 - man; 29:10 - The bloodthirsty; Jonah 4:10 - came up in a night; Matthew 1:6 - Jesse; 27:23 - Why; Luke 3:32 - was the son of Jesse Verse 32 Wherefore 1 Samuel 19:5; Proverbs 24:11, 24:12, 31:8, 31:9; John 7:51 what hath Matthew 27:23; Luke 23:22, cast, 1 Samuel 18:11, 19:10, 19:11; Proverbs 22:24; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9, whereby, 1 Samuel 20:7; Ecclesiastes 7:9 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 19:4 - spake good; 22:14 - And who; 25:17 - that a man Verse 33 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 18:11 - cast the javelin; 19:10 - he slipped; 22:6 - spear; 22:17 - slay the priests; 25:17 - evil; Psalm 31:13 - while; 56:5 - all Verse 34 in fierce Ecclesiastes 7:20; Ephesians 4:26 he was grieved Mark 3:5
Verse 35 at the time 1 Samuel 20:19; 2 Samuel 20:5
Verse 36 Run 1 Samuel 20:20, 20:21 beyond himHeb. to pass over him, 20:21, 20:22 Reciprocal 2 Samuel 1:18 - bow Verse 38 Psalm 55:6-9; Proverbs 6:4, 6:5; Matthew 24:16-18; Mark 13:14-16; Luke 17:31, 17:32 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 9:27 - Bid the servant; 20:9 - then would; 23:26 - David made haste; 2 Samuel 17:16 - but speedily; Psalm 11:1 - how Verse 39 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 9:27 - Bid the servant Verse 40 artilleryHeb. instruments, Rather weapons, as the word kelim also denotes; and here means the bow, quiver, and arrows. This is probably the only place in our language in which the word artillery is not applied to cannon or ordinance, but simply to weapons of war.his ladHeb. the lad that was his
Verse 41 and fell 1 Samuel 25:23; Genesis 43:28; 2 Samuel 9:6 and they kissed 1 Samuel 10:1; Genesis 29:11, 29:13, 45:15; 2 Samuel 19:39; Acts 20:37 David exceeded 1 Samuel 18:3; 2 Samuel 1:26 Reciprocal 1 Samuel 24:8 - David stooped; 2 Samuel 14:4 - fell on her; 1 Kings 1:16 - bowed; 18:7 - fell on; Acts 20:1 - embraced; 21:1 - we were Verse 42 Go in peace 1 Samuel 20:22, 1:17; Numbers 6:26; Luke 7:50; Acts 16:36 forasmuch asor, the Lord be witness of that which, etc. 1 Samuel 20:23 And he arose 23:18
The separation of two such faithful friends was equally grievous to them both, but David's case was the more deplorable: for when Jonathan was returning to his family and friends, David was leaving all his comforts, even those of God's sanctuary, and therefore his grief exceeded Jonathan's; or, perhaps it was because his temper was more tender and his passions stronger. They referred each other to the covenant of friendship that was between them, both of them being comforted thereby in this very mournful separation - "We have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, for ourselves and our heirs, that we and they will be faithful and kind to each other from generation to generation.Reciprocal Genesis 21:23 - swear; 1 Samuel 18:3 - made a covenant; 20:9 - then would; 22:8 - that my son; 25:35 - Go up; 2 Samuel 9:1 - show him; 14:11 - let the king; 21:7 - because; Jeremiah 42:5 - The Lord be; Mark 5:34 - go; Acts 17:10 - the brethren; 20:1 - embraced; 21:1 - we were