1 Samuel 20 1

1 Samuel 20:1 kjv

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?

1 Samuel 20:1 nkjv

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?"

1 Samuel 20:1 niv

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?"

1 Samuel 20:1 esv

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?"

1 Samuel 20:1 nlt

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?"

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 1 Meaning

David, fleeing from Saul's murderous intent even within the prophetic sanctuary of Naioth in Ramah, seeks out Jonathan in desperation. He expresses utter bewilderment and profound grief over Saul's unwarranted hostility, questioning what wrongdoing—be it an action, a hidden iniquity, or a direct sin—he could have possibly committed to provoke such a deadly pursuit from Jonathan's own father. This verse initiates a crucial conversation between David and Jonathan that reaffirms their covenant friendship amidst escalating royal animosity.

1 Samuel 20 1 Context

1 Samuel 20:1 follows a series of increasingly violent attempts by King Saul to kill David, driven by his jealousy over David's military success and popularity. In the preceding chapter (1 Samuel 19), David repeatedly escapes Saul's spear attacks, flees from Saul's messengers who are sent to capture him, and finds refuge with Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. Interestingly, even Saul himself, when pursuing David there, is overcome by the Spirit of God and prophesies, which temporarily incapacitates his murderous drive. Despite this divine intervention, Saul's relentless evil intent towards David is undiminished, forcing David to once again flee a place that should have offered sanctuary. Chapter 20 thus opens with David in desperate flight, turning to Jonathan, his closest ally and Saul's own son, for understanding and intervention, initiating the narrative of their covenant's profound testing and ultimate strength. This encounter is pivotal, marking David's transition from being a target within the court to a life of perpetual exile, and cementing the extraordinary loyalty between David and Jonathan against all odds.

1 Samuel 20 1 Word analysis

• Then David fled (ויברח דוד):
  • David: The anointed future king of Israel, currently in severe distress and actively on the run for his life from the current king. His flight signifies the gravity of Saul's irrational animosity.
  • fled (ויברח, vayyivrach): Imperfect consecutive, conveying immediate and continuing action. It emphasizes David's desperate state of urgency and forced exile. This is not a planned departure but an urgent escape from immediate danger. It contrasts with his earlier heroics, showing his vulnerability.
• from Naioth in Ramah (מנוית ברמה):
  • Naioth (נוית, Nevayot): Means "dwellings" or "habitations." It was a known school or residence for prophets, associated with Samuel. Its significance here is that it was a sacred, prophetic space where God had repeatedly intervened to protect David from Saul's murderous designs (1 Sam 19:18-24). David fleeing even from here underscores the intensity of Saul's demonic obsession, suggesting that no place was safe for David anymore from Saul's wrath.
  • Ramah (רמה, Ramah): Samuel's hometown. It signifies the presence and influence of the prophet, who had anointed David and pronounced judgment on Saul. David fleeing from a place of prophetic covering highlights Saul's complete disregard for divine order.
• and came and said before Jonathan (ויבא ויאמר לפני יהונתן):
  • came and said: Implies a direct and urgent confrontation. David sought Jonathan out specifically, relying on their deep bond and Jonathan's unique position as the king's son. This reflects David's trust and desperation.
  • before Jonathan: Indicates a direct, face-to-face encounter, possibly suggesting a plea for help and counsel, highlighting Jonathan's role as David's closest confidant.
• "What have I done? (מה עשיתי):"
  • This is the first of a threefold cry, indicating utter bewilderment and a plea of innocence. It signifies a desire for an objective, legal explanation for Saul's hostile behavior. David genuinely does not comprehend the magnitude of Saul's hatred, as he consistently acted faithfully.
• "What is my guilt? (ומה עוני):"
  • Guilt (עוני, avoni): From 'avon (עוון), meaning iniquity, perversity, or the punishment for iniquity. This goes beyond a simple action and questions if there's any deeper moral offense or character flaw that Saul perceives, or if there is a deserving punishment. It suggests David's readiness for any accusation, even implying judicial reckoning.
• "And what is my sin (ומה חטאתי):"
  • Sin (חטאתי, chattati): From chatta'at (חטאת), a broader term meaning missing the mark, offense, or trespass. This is a general term for transgression against God or man. David exhausts the possibilities of wrongdoing, asserting his blamelessness in Saul's eyes, thus exposing Saul's injustice.
• "before your father (לפני אביך):"
  • This phrase firmly places the blame and the source of the persecution on Saul. It highlights the familial connection between Jonathan and the persecutor, emphasizing the internal conflict and difficult position Jonathan is in, caught between his father and his closest friend.
• "that he seeks my life? (כי מבקש את נפשי):"
  • seeks my life (מבקש את נפשי, mevaqesh et nafshi): A strong idiom for murderous intent or the desire to kill. This is not mere hostility or dismissal but a clear and present threat to David's very existence. It conveys the life-or-death stakes involved.

Words-Group analysis:

• "What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin...?": This rhetorical triple question profoundly communicates David's innocence and the sheer injustice of Saul's pursuit. It expresses bewilderment, a demand for justification, and highlights the arbitrary nature of Saul's murderous intent. It reflects a legal appeal, demanding evidence for such a severe consequence.
• "Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan": This phrase contrasts David's forced flight from a place of divine protection with his direct and intentional approach to Jonathan. It underscores the urgency, David's vulnerability, and his reliance on Jonathan as his only remaining human refuge and advocate within the king's court.

1 Samuel 20 1 Bonus section

• The structure of David's questioning, "What have I done? What is my guilt? What is my sin?" is characteristic of Old Testament laments and legal pleas, emphasizing a demand for justice and a desire to be cleared of accusations. It is a legal term, calling for an understanding of the legal charges, be it overt action (done), underlying moral crookedness (guilt/iniquity), or specific transgression (sin).
• David's flight from Naioth in Ramah also symbolizes a profound disconnect between the spiritual leadership (Samuel, the prophets) and the civil authority (Saul, the king). Saul's evil was so pervasive that even prophetic communities could not offer lasting sanctuary to the Lord's anointed.
• This verse marks the end of David's attempts to reside within the king's court and his transition into a life of perpetual flight. It initiates the narrative of the 'fugitive David,' a significant phase in his training for kingship, where he learns complete dependence on God.

1 Samuel 20 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:1 marks a desperate turning point for David. Having repeatedly escaped King Saul's spear and the attempts of his royal messengers, David is forced to abandon even the relative sanctuary of Naioth, where the Spirit of God had briefly intervened on his behalf and incapacitated Saul (1 Sam 19). His flight signifies the relentless nature of Saul's jealous hatred, indicating that no place is safe.

In this dire state, David immediately turns to Jonathan, Saul's son, demonstrating their profound bond forged by covenant. David's triple query—"What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin?"—is a poignant expression of bewildered innocence. It is not a request for information from Jonathan, who is well aware of his father's madness, but rather a profound plea for affirmation and a cry of deep anguish. David understands his own integrity and devotion to Saul, rendering the king's murderous pursuit incomprehensible on any just grounds. This cry highlights Saul's complete moral corruption; his animosity towards David is born not of any specific transgression but from his own pride, envy, and spiritual estrangement from God (1 Sam 16:14). Jonathan is caught between loyalty to his father and his sacred covenant with David, yet his immediate denial in the following verses affirms his unwavering commitment to his friend. The verse sets the stage for the strategic deception and heartfelt separation that will solidify David's life as a fugitive, relying solely on God's protection.