1 Samuel 20 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Samuel 20 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter details the deepening friendship between David and Jonathan, set against the backdrop of Saul's increasing madness and murderous intentions towards David.

Jonathan's Promise (vs. 1-17): David, fearing for his life, confides in Jonathan about Saul's hostility. Jonathan, though shocked, pledges unwavering friendship and promises to discover his father's true intentions. They devise a plan involving David's absence from a feast, which will serve as a signal to reveal Saul's heart.
The Secret Signal (vs. 18-23): Jonathan instructs David to hide in a field during the feast. He will observe Saul's reaction to David's absence and shoot arrows as a prearranged signal. Three arrows will mean safety, while one will confirm danger.
Saul's Rage Exposed (vs. 24-33): At the feast, Saul notices David's absence and questions Jonathan. When Jonathan offers excuses, Saul explodes in anger, confirming his murderous intent. He even hurls a spear at Jonathan, further revealing his instability.
A Tearful Farewell (vs. 34-42): Jonathan, heartbroken and fearful for his friend, signals David with the arrow. They meet secretly, sharing a tearful and emotional farewell. Their deep love and loyalty for each other are evident in this poignant scene.

Key Themes:

Friendship: The unwavering loyalty and love between David and Jonathan are central to the chapter. They risk their own safety to protect each other.
Betrayal: Saul's descent into madness and jealousy is evident in his willingness to harm both David and his own son.
Trust in God: Despite the danger, David continues to trust in God's plan, even when it means fleeing for his life.

Overall: Chapter 20 marks a turning point in the narrative. Saul's true nature is exposed, solidifying the conflict between him and David. The chapter ends on a somber note, highlighting the cost of Saul's jealousy and foreshadowing the challenges that lie ahead for both David and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20 bible study ai commentary

1 Samuel 20 is a pivotal chapter that seals David's fate as a fugitive and cements his covenant relationship with Jonathan. It explores the profound themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and divine providence, contrasting the faithful, covenantal love (hesed) between David and Jonathan with the paranoid, murderous rage of King Saul. Jonathan, the heir to the throne, selflessly risks everything to protect David, God's chosen successor, demonstrating a faith that recognizes God's will above his own personal and political interests. The chapter is a masterclass in narrative tension, culminating in an emotional farewell that underscores the tragic cost of Saul's rebellion against God.

1 Samuel 20 Context

This chapter is set during the New Moon festival, a significant monthly religious observance in Israel (Num 10:10; 28:11-15). It was a time for feasts, sacrifices, and communal gathering. As a key member of the royal court and Saul's son-in-law, David's absence from the king's table for two consecutive days would be a major breach of protocol, providing the perfect test for Saul's intentions. In this honor-shame culture, David's empty seat was a public and unmissable statement, forcing Saul to reveal his hand. The covenant (berith) Jonathan and David make is framed in the language of ancient Near Eastern treaties, but it transcends a political alliance, becoming a profound bond of personal loyalty and love (ahavah), reflecting the divine characteristic of hesed (covenant faithfulness).

1 Samuel 20:1-3

Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?" And he said to him, "Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small but that he discloses it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so." But David vowed again, saying, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death."

In-depth-analysis

David, having just escaped another attempt on his life by Saul's spirit-possessed messengers (1 Sam 19), is desperate and confused. His three questions ("What have I done? What is my guilt? What is my sin?") reveal his genuine belief in his own innocence regarding Saul.
Jonathan is initially naive or in denial about the depth of his father's murderous intent. He believes in the transparency of his relationship with Saul, a trust that will soon be shattered.
David's oath, "as the LORD lives and as your soul lives," is a powerful declaration that places the certainty of his peril on par with the certainty of God's existence and his friendship with Jonathan.
The phrase "there is but a step between me and death" is a powerful Hebrew idiom that conveys his extreme and imminent danger. David understands the situation more clearly than Jonathan does at this point.

Bible references

Ps 59:3-4: 'For behold, they lie in wait for my life... for no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD... awake to meet me, and see!' (David's plea of innocence while being pursued).
Ps 116:3: 'The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me...' (Expresses the nearness of death David felt).
1 Sam 19:1-2: 'And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son... that they should kill David. But Jonathan... took great delight in David.' (Highlights Jonathan's initial position as mediator).

Cross references

Prov 27:6 (wounds from a friend); Job 29:2 (longing for past security); Ps 7:3-5 (plea of innocence).

1 Samuel 20:4-11

Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you." David said to Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening... If your father says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant. But if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him. Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?" And Jonathan said, "Far from it! If I knew that harm was determined by my father to come upon you, would I not tell you?"

In-depth-analysis

Jonathan’s statement, "Whatever you say (literally 'what your soul says'), I will do for you," is an incredible pledge of submission and service from a prince to a fugitive. It inverts the expected power dynamic.
The plan utilizes the social and religious obligations of the New Moon festival as a litmus test. David’s proposed excuse (a family sacrificial meal in Bethlehem) is plausible and religiously appropriate, making Saul's reaction a pure reflection of his feelings about David himself.
David places his life entirely in Jonathan's hands, even inviting Jonathan to kill him if he is guilty. This demonstrates absolute trust in Jonathan's integrity and the covenant between them.
Their covenant is explicitly called a "covenant of the LORD" (berith YHWH), indicating that God is the witness and guarantor of their bond. It is sacred, not merely political or social.

Bible references

1 Sam 18:3: 'Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.' (The foundation of the trust expressed here).
Gen 31:50: 'God is witness between you and me.' (The nature of a divinely witnessed covenant).
Prov 18:24: '...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.' (Describes the quality of Jonathan's friendship).

Cross references

Num 28:11 (New Moon observance); Ruth 1:16-17 (pledge of loyalty); 2 Cor 11:26 (perils among false brothers).

1 Samuel 20:12-17

And Jonathan said to David, "The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father... if it is well with David, shall I not then send to you and disclose it to you? But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to me and more also if I do not disclose it to you... But you shall not only show me the steadfast love of the LORD while I still live... but you shall not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD take vengeance on David's enemies." And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

In-depth-analysis

Hesed (Steadfast Love): This passage is one of the most significant discussions of hesed (steadfast love, loving-kindness, covenant faithfulness) in the Old Testament. Jonathan asks for the "steadfast love of the LORD" from David, linking human loyalty directly to a divine attribute.
Prophetic Insight: Jonathan recognizes David's divine destiny. He speaks not of "if" but "when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David." He understands that Saul's house will fall and David's will rise, and he seeks protection for his descendants.
Shifting Covenant: The covenant, initially between two individuals, is now extended to "the house of David." Jonathan binds himself and his family to David's future royal line, a stunning act of abdication and faith from the heir apparent.
Word: Nephesh (soul/life): The repetition of "he loved him as he loved his own soul (nephesh)" underscores an inseparable bond. In Hebrew thought, the nephesh is the total person, the seat of life and desire.

Bible references

2 Sam 9:1, 7: 'And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" ... "I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan..."' (David fulfills his oath to Jonathan by caring for Mephibosheth).
Exod 34:6-7: 'The LORD... a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness...' (Defines the divine quality of hesed that Jonathan asks from David).
Jer 31:3: '...I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.' (God's hesed towards his people, mirrored in the David/Jonathan bond).

Cross references

Ruth 2:20 (Boaz showing hesed); Ps 89:1-2 (celebrating God's hesed); Gen 15:18 (covenantal promise).

Polemics

Some scholars note that the structure of this covenant oath, where the subordinate (David) will eventually have power over the superior's (Jonathan's) house, mimics Ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, but inverts the roles. Jonathan, the current prince, acts as the vassal to David, the future king. This literary device powerfully emphasizes Jonathan’s faith in God's plan over the current political reality.

1 Samuel 20:18-23

Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed... you shall go down and come to the place where you hid yourself on the day of the deed and shall remain beside the stone Ezel. And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it... and I will send a 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... But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever."

In-depth-analysis

The plan is now finalized with a specific, secret signal to avoid any direct contact that could be observed.
Word: Ezel: The "stone Ezel" likely means "stone of departure," a fitting and symbolic name for the location of their potential final farewell.
The use of arrows—a weapon of war and a symbol of a king/prince's power—is transformed into a message of peace or departure. It is an act of covert communication born of desperation.
Jonathan's final words, "the LORD has sent you away," frame David's potential exile not as a failure or Saul's victory, but as an act of divine providence. He helps David see God's hand even in this painful event.
"The LORD is between you and me forever" serves as the ultimate seal on their covenant, reaffirming that their bond transcends physical presence and is eternally witnessed by God.

Bible references

Gen 31:49: '... "The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight."' (The Mizpah benediction, a similar sentiment of a bond under God's watch).
2 Kgs 9:24: 'And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between the shoulders...' (Shows arrows used for their intended purpose—warfare—in contrast to this scene).
Prov 27:10: 'Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend...' (Wisdom literature validating Jonathan's actions).

Cross references

Ps 37:32-33 (the wicked watch for the righteous to kill them, but the Lord will not abandon them); Ps 64:3-4 (enemies who shoot arrows from hiding).

1 Samuel 20:24-34

So David hid himself in the field... The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty... But on the second day... Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame... 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." Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved for David...

In-depth-analysis

Saul's seating "by the wall" might symbolize his boxed-in, paranoid state of mind. David’s empty seat is a deafening silence.
Saul's excuse for David's absence on day one ("something has happened to him; he is not clean") is ironic, as Saul is the one who is spiritually unclean.
Saul's verbal attack on Jonathan is brutal. He insults Jonathan's mother (a deep cultural insult), questions his masculinity, and accuses him of treasonous self-sabotage ("to your own shame").
Saul articulates the core political problem with brutal clarity: "For as long as the son of Jesse lives... neither you nor your kingdom shall be established." He sees it as a zero-sum game, whereas Jonathan has submitted to God's will.
Jonathan defends David with the same simple question David asked: "Why? What has he done?" This highlights the irrationality of Saul's hatred.
Saul's response is not reason, but violence: he hurls his spear at his own son. This act of insane rage is the ultimate confirmation for Jonathan. The spear that was once aimed only at David is now turned on anyone who defends him.
Jonathan’s "fierce anger" is righteous indignation, a response to injustice, contrasted with Saul's sinful, murderous rage. He fasts out of grief for both David's predicament and the shame of his father.

Bible references

1 Sam 18:11: 'And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall."' (The repeated pattern of Saul's murderous rage).
Prov 15:1: 'A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.' (Jonathan’s reasonable question met with disproportionate violence).
Eph 4:26-27: 'Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.' (Contrasts Jonathan's righteous, controlled anger with Saul's consuming, sinful rage).

Cross references

Mk 3:5 (Jesus's righteous anger); Dan 3:19 (Nebuchadnezzar's rage); Gal 5:20 (fits of anger as a work of the flesh).

1 Samuel 20:35-42

In the morning Jonathan went out into the field... and a little boy with him... He shot an arrow beyond him. And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the boy and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?"... So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master... Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy... As soon as the boy had gone, David arose from beside the south and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’" And he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

In-depth-analysis

The signal is executed precisely as planned. The boy is an unwitting participant, ensuring the message's secrecy.
David's three prostrations are an act of deep humility and gratitude towards Jonathan. He is not just honoring a prince, but a friend who risked his life for him.
The raw emotion of their farewell ("they kissed one another and wept") demonstrates the depth of their bond. It is not just the end of a friendship in proximity, but the start of a painful, lonely exile for David.
David weeps "the most" (the Hebrew 'ad-David higdil is difficult, but often translated this way), likely because he has the most to lose: his home, his position, his wife, and his friend, all at once. He is now truly alone and on the run.
Jonathan’s final words are not of despair, but of peace (shalom). He directs David back to the eternal nature of their God-guaranteed covenant, providing spiritual comfort and a promise that their bond will endure beyond this painful separation.

Bible references

Acts 20:37-38: 'And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful... that they would not see his face again.' (A similar scene of emotional, tearful farewell between Christian brothers).
John 14:27: 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you...' (Jonathan offers David a peace (shalom) rooted in their covenant with God, a shadow of the peace Christ gives).
Gen 45:14-15: 'Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept... and he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.' (Echoes of deep, familial reconciliation and love expressed through weeping and kissing).

Cross references

2 Sam 1:26 (David's lament for Jonathan); Prov 17:17 (a friend loves at all times); Phil 4:7 (the peace of God).

1 Samuel chapter 20 analysis

Covenant Typology: The covenant (berith) of love (ahavah) and faithfulness (hesed) between Jonathan and David serves as a powerful illustration of the believer's relationship with Jesus Christ. Jonathan, the rightful heir, relinquishes his own claim, reputation, and safety for David, the one chosen by God. This prefigures Jesus, the Son of God, who laid down his heavenly glory (Phil 2:5-8) and His life so that believers (His "friends," Jn 15:13-15) might live and reign with Him.
Faith vs. Sight: Jonathan demonstrates a faith that sees beyond current circumstances. He sees God's anointing on David and trusts in God's future promises, even at great personal cost. Saul, by contrast, can only see the immediate political threat and operates entirely by sight and fear.
The Nature of Love: The Hebrew word for love, ahavah, used to describe their bond is not primarily about emotion but about action and choice. Jonathan’s love is demonstrated through his protective actions, his sworn loyalty, and his personal sacrifice. This reflects the biblical definition of love seen throughout scripture, culminating in 1 John 3:16: "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."

1 Samuel 20 summary

David, certain of Saul’s intent to kill him, secures Jonathan’s help to confirm it. They devise a plan using the New Moon festival and a secret signal with arrows. Jonathan confronts Saul, whose explosive rage and attempt on Jonathan’s own life prove David's fears were correct. After giving David the signal to flee, the two friends share a deeply emotional farewell, reaffirming their eternal, God-witnessed covenant before parting ways, sending David into exile and setting the stage for his years as a fugitive.

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1 Samuel chapter 20 kjv

¹ And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
² And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will show it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
³ And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
⁴ Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
⁵ And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.
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.
⁷ If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
⁸ Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
⁹ And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
¹⁰ Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
¹¹ And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
¹² And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee;
¹³ The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
¹⁴ And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:
¹⁵ But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
¹⁶ So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.
¹⁷ And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
¹⁸ Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
¹⁹ And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
²⁰ And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
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.
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.
²³ And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
²⁴ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
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.
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.
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?
²⁸ And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
²⁹ And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favor in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
³⁰ Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
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.
³² And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
³³ And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
³⁴ So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
³⁵ And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
³⁶ And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
³⁷ And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
³⁸ And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
³⁹ But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
⁴⁰ And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
⁴¹ And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
⁴² And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

1 Samuel chapter 20 nkjv

¹ Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and went and said to Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?"
² So Jonathan said to him, "By no means! You shall not die! Indeed, my father will do nothing either great or small without first telling me. And why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!"
³ Then David took an oath again, and said, "Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.' But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death."
⁴ So Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you."
⁵ And David said to Jonathan, "Indeed tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat. But let me go, that I may hide in the field until the third day at evening.
⁶ If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked permission of me that he might run over to Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.'
⁷ If he says thus: 'It is well,' your servant will be safe. But if he is very angry, be sure that evil is determined by him.
⁸ Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. Nevertheless, if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?"
⁹ But Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! For if I knew certainly that evil was determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you?"
¹⁰ Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me, or what if your father answers you roughly?"
¹¹ And Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field." So both of them went out into the field.
¹² Then Jonathan said to David: "The LORD God of Israel is witness! When I have sounded out my father sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed there is good toward David, and I do not send to you and tell you,
¹³ may the LORD do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the LORD be with you as He has been with my father.
¹⁴ And you shall not only show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die;
¹⁵ but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."
¹⁶ So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "Let the LORD require it at the hand of David's enemies."
¹⁷ Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
¹⁸ Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
¹⁹ And when you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid on the day of the deed; and remain by the stone Ezel.
²⁰ Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target;
²¹ and there I will send a lad, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I expressly say to the lad, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them and come'?then, as the LORD lives, there is safety for you and no harm.
²² But if I say thus to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you'?go your way, for the LORD has sent you away.
²³ And as for the matter which you and I have spoken of, indeed the LORD be between you and me forever."
²⁴ Then David hid in the field. And when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat the feast.
²⁵ Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty.
²⁶ Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to him; he is unclean, surely he is unclean."
²⁷ And it happened the next day, the second day of the month, that David's place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to eat, either yesterday or today?"
²⁸ So Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem.
²⁹ And he said, 'Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. And now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me get away and see my brothers.' Therefore he has not come to the king's table."
³⁰ Then Saul's anger was aroused against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?
³¹ For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Now therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die."
³² And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, "Why should he be killed? What has he done?"
³³ Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David.
³⁴ So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him shamefully.
³⁵ And so it was, in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad was with him.
³⁶ Then he said to his lad, "Now run, find the arrows which I shoot." As the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
³⁷ When the lad had come to the place where the arrow was which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried out after the lad and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?"
³⁸ And Jonathan cried out after the lad, "Make haste, hurry, do not delay!" So Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows and came back to his master.
³⁹ But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew of the matter.
⁴⁰ Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad, and said to him, "Go, carry them to the city."
⁴¹ As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.
⁴² Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, 'May the LORD be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.' " So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

1 Samuel chapter 20 niv

¹ Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, "What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?"
² "Never!" Jonathan replied. "You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn't do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would he hide this from me? It isn't so!"
³ But David took an oath and said, "Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.' Yet as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death."
⁴ Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you."
⁵ So David said, "Look, tomorrow is the New Moon feast, and I am supposed to dine with the king; but let me go and hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow.
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.'
⁷ If he says, 'Very well,' then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper, you can be sure that he is determined to harm me.
⁸ As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the LORD. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?"
⁹ "Never!" Jonathan said. "If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?"
¹⁰ David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?"
¹¹ "Come," Jonathan said, "let's go out into the field." So they went there together.
¹² Then Jonathan said to David, "I swear by the LORD, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know?
¹³ But if my father intends to harm you, may the LORD deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father.
¹⁴ But show me unfailing kindness like the LORD's kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed,
¹⁵ and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family?not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth."
¹⁶ So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account."
¹⁷ And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
¹⁸ Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
¹⁹ The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel.
²⁰ I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.
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.
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.
²³ And about the matter you and I discussed?remember, the LORD is witness between you and me forever."
²⁴ So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon feast came, the king sat down to eat.
²⁵ He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place was empty.
²⁶ Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, "Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean?surely he is unclean."
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?"
²⁸ Jonathan answered, "David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem.
²⁹ He said, 'Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table."
³⁰ Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?
³¹ As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!"
³² "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Jonathan asked his father.
³³ But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.
³⁴ Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David.
³⁵ In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him,
³⁶ and he said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
³⁷ When the boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen, Jonathan called out after him, "Isn't the arrow beyond you?"
³⁸ Then he shouted, "Hurry! Go quickly! Don't stop!" The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
³⁹ (The boy knew nothing about all this; only Jonathan and David knew.)
⁴⁰ Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said, "Go, carry them back to town."
⁴¹ After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together?but David wept the most.
⁴² Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.'?" Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

1 Samuel chapter 20 esv

¹ Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?"
² And he said to him, "Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so."
³ But David vowed again, saying, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.' But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death."
⁴ Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you."
⁵ David said to Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening.
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.'
⁷ If he says, 'Good!' it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him.
⁸ Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?"
⁹ And Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you?"
¹⁰ Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?"
¹¹ And Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field." So they both went out into the field.
¹² And Jonathan said to David, "The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you?
¹³ But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father.
¹⁴ If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die;
¹⁵ and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."
¹⁶ And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD take vengeance on David's enemies."
¹⁷ And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
¹⁸ Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
¹⁹ On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap.
²⁰ And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.
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.
²² But if I say to the youth, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the LORD has sent you away.
²³ And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever."
²⁴ So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.
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.
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."
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?"
²⁸ Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
²⁹ He said, 'Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table."
³⁰ Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?
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."
³² Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"
³³ But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
³⁴ And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him.
³⁵ In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy.
³⁶ And he said to his boy, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
³⁷ And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?"
³⁸ And Jonathan called after the boy, "Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!" So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master.
³⁹ But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
⁴⁰ And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, "Go and carry them to the city."
⁴¹ And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most.
⁴² Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.'" And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

1 Samuel chapter 20 nlt

¹ David now fled from Naioth in Ramah and found Jonathan. "What have I done?" he exclaimed. "What is my crime? How have I offended your father that he is so determined to kill me?"
² "That's not true!" Jonathan protested. "You're not going to die. He always tells me everything he's going to do, even the little things. I know my father wouldn't hide something like this from me. It just isn't so!"
³ Then David took an oath before Jonathan and said, "Your father knows perfectly well about our friendship, so he has said to himself, 'I won't tell Jonathan ? why should I hurt him?' But I swear to you that I am only a step away from death! I swear it by the LORD and by your own soul!"
⁴ "Tell me what I can do to help you," Jonathan exclaimed.
⁵ David replied, "Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. I've always eaten with the king on this occasion, but tomorrow I'll hide in the field and stay there until the evening of the third day.
⁶ If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family sacrifice.
⁷ If he says, 'Fine!' you will know all is well. But if he is angry and loses his temper, you will know he is determined to kill me.
⁸ Show me this loyalty as my sworn friend ? for we made a solemn pact before the LORD ? or kill me yourself if I have sinned against your father. But please don't betray me to him!"
⁹ "Never!" Jonathan exclaimed. "You know that if I had the slightest notion my father was planning to kill you, I would tell you at once."
¹⁰ Then David asked, "How will I know whether or not your father is angry?"
¹¹ "Come out to the field with me," Jonathan replied. And they went out there together.
¹² Then Jonathan told David, "I promise by the LORD, the God of Israel, that by this time tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, I will talk to my father and let you know at once how he feels about you. If he speaks favorably about you, I will let you know.
¹³ But if he is angry and wants you killed, may the LORD strike me and even kill me if I don't warn you so you can escape and live. May the LORD be with you as he used to be with my father.
¹⁴ And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die,
¹⁵ treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth."
¹⁶ So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, "May the LORD destroy all your enemies!"
¹⁷ And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.
¹⁸ Then Jonathan said, "Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. You will be missed when your place at the table is empty.
¹⁹ The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid before, and wait there by the stone pile.
²⁰ I will come out and shoot three arrows to the side of the stone pile as though I were shooting at a target.
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.
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.
²³ And may the LORD make us keep our promises to each other, for he has witnessed them."
²⁴ So David hid himself in the field, and when the new moon festival began, the king sat down to eat.
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.
²⁶ Saul didn't say anything about it that day, for he said to himself, "Something must have made David ceremonially unclean."
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?"
²⁸ Jonathan replied, "David earnestly asked me if he could go to Bethlehem.
²⁹ He said, 'Please let me go, for we are having a family sacrifice. My brother demanded that I be there. So please let me get away to see my brothers.' That's why he isn't here at the king's table."
³⁰ Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. "You stupid son of a whore!" he swore at him. "Do you think I don't know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother?
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!"
³² "But why should he be put to death?" Jonathan asked his father. "What has he done?"
³³ Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.
³⁴ Jonathan left the table in fierce anger and refused to eat on that second day of the festival, for he was crushed by his father's shameful behavior toward David.
³⁵ The next morning, as agreed, Jonathan went out into the field and took a young boy with him to gather his arrows.
³⁶ "Start running," he told the boy, "so you can find the arrows as I shoot them." So the boy ran, and Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him.
³⁷ When the boy had almost reached the arrow, Jonathan shouted, "The arrow is still ahead of you.
³⁸ Hurry, hurry, don't wait." So the boy quickly gathered up the arrows and ran back to his master.
³⁹ He, of course, suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David understood the signal.
⁴⁰ Then Jonathan gave his bow and arrows to the boy and told him to take them back to town.
⁴¹ As soon as the boy was gone, David came out from where he had been hiding near the stone pile. Then David bowed three times to Jonathan with his face to the ground. Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David.
⁴² At last Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD's name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever." Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.