1 Samuel 20 18

1 Samuel 20:18 kjv

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

1 Samuel 20:18 nkjv

Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

1 Samuel 20:18 niv

Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

1 Samuel 20:18 esv

Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

1 Samuel 20:18 nlt

Then Jonathan said, "Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. You will be missed when your place at the table is empty.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 18 Meaning

Jonathan's statement to David in 1 Samuel 20:18 is part of their elaborate plan to expose King Saul's murderous intentions toward David. He informs David that the upcoming New Moon festival will provide a critical opportunity to observe Saul's disposition. David's prominent seat at the royal feast on this significant day would conspicuously be empty, ensuring that his absence would be immediately noticed by the king. This strategic detail was designed by Jonathan to provoke a direct reaction from Saul, thus definitively confirming whether Saul still harbored deadly malice against David or if a reconciliation was possible. The verse underscores Jonathan's loyal dedication to David and his strategic foresight in navigating their perilous situation, confirming his understanding of Saul's escalating danger.

1 Samuel 20 18 Context

1 Samuel chapter 20 presents a pivotal dialogue between David and Jonathan, marking a decisive point in David's life as he seeks confirmation of King Saul's unrelenting hostility. Having already experienced multiple attempts on his life and forced to flee the royal court, David confronts Jonathan about Saul's intentions (vv. 1-3). Jonathan, initially reluctant to believe his father capable of such extreme malice against his beloved friend, agrees to help ascertain the truth (vv. 4-17). Verse 18 is part of Jonathan's strategic proposal: to use the upcoming New Moon festival as a litmus test. This significant Israelite feast, often accompanied by communal sacrifices and royal banquets, was a time when key figures of the court, including David, were expected to be present. David’s anticipated absence would provide the direct stimulus needed to reveal Saul's true feelings, solidifying David’s need to permanently flee or allowing him to return.

1 Samuel 20 18 Word analysis

• Then: This transitional word indicates the immediate sequence of Jonathan's practical suggestion after David’s expression of fear and their renewal of covenant vows. It marks a shift from emotional discourse to strategic planning.

• Jonathan said: Highlights Jonathan’s proactive role in this critical moment. Despite being the son of the king David fears, Jonathan prioritizes his covenant fidelity to David and takes the initiative to devise a plan for David’s safety.

• to David: Emphasizes the direct, personal nature of their conversation, underscoring the intimate bond of loyalty and trust shared between the two men.

• "Tomorrow is the New Moon, (מָחָר חֹדֶשׁ - machar chodesh):

  • Tomorrow (machar): Conveys a sense of immediate urgency and a fixed timeframe for the unfolding events. The danger is not distant but impending.
  • New Moon (chodesh): Refers to the start of each month in the Israelite calendar, observed as a sacred day. It was marked by special sacrifices (Num 28:11-15) and festive communal meals (1 Sam 20:5-6, 24). For the royal court, attendance was expected and served as a roll call of important figures, making it an ideal setting for David’s absence to be noted. It was a required solemn assembly for the kingdom's elite, reinforcing the significance of David’s intended absence.

• and you will be missed, (וְנִפְקַדְתָּ - wᵉnip̱qadta):

  • Derived from the Hebrew root פָּקַד (paqad), which holds a range of meanings including to "visit," "muster," "inspect," or "take account of." In this passive form (nifkadta), it conveys that David will not merely be absent, but his absence will be specifically noticed, remarked upon, and inquired after. It implies an active awareness and conscious registration of his non-presence. This signifies Jonathan's assurance that Saul would specifically look for David.

• because your seat will be empty." (כִּי נִפְקַד מֹשָׁבֶךָ - kî nifqaḏ môšābeḵā):

  • because (ki): Connects the reason for David's being "missed" directly to the observable fact of his unoccupied designated place.
  • your seat (moshavĕkha): Points to David’s specific, established place at the royal dining table. Its vacancy would be highly conspicuous, not easily overlooked. This underscores David’s significant (though now threatened) position within the royal household. The use of nifkad again (the passive "will be noted as absent/missing") regarding the seat, indicates that the empty chair itself will draw attention and prompt questions.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty": This phrase embodies Jonathan's carefully calculated strategy. He pinpoints a specific, high-profile event where David’s absence cannot be ignored. The double use of the word meaning "missed" or "noted as absent" (nifkad) highlights the certainty and conspicuousness of David’s impending non-attendance, assuring David that the king’s reaction would be undeniably clear. This shows Jonathan’s insightful understanding of Saul’s psychology and the customs of the royal court, and his devotion to David's welfare.

1 Samuel 20 18 Bonus Section

The "New Moon" observances were not only religious but also significant civic gatherings, akin to national holidays where the king's presence was central and expected to foster communal unity. David's absence, particularly from "his seat" at the royal table, represented more than just a missed meal; it symbolized his growing alienation from the king and court, a clear indicator of his endangered status. Jonathan's insight here moves beyond mere friendship to a discerning understanding of God's providential hand at work, positioning David to receive explicit confirmation of the life-or-death situation he faced. This deliberate test at the New Moon feast underscored Saul's deteriorating state as a king whose personal vendetta overshadowed his communal and spiritual responsibilities.

1 Samuel 20 18 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:18 showcases Jonathan's profound loyalty and shrewd intelligence in the face of Saul's escalating madness. By choosing the New Moon festival, a communal religious and social event where David's presence was expected and highly visible, Jonathan orchestrates a decisive test of Saul's true intentions. He doesn't merely hope Saul will react, but predicts with certainty that David "will be missed" because "your seat will be empty"—a direct challenge to the king’s concealed hostility. This strategic insight forces Saul's hidden agenda into the open, removing all doubt about his murderous desires (as seen in Saul's subsequent outburst, vv. 30-34). The verse, therefore, highlights Jonathan's sacrificial love for David, prioritizing God’s anointed future king over his own family ties and even his royal inheritance. It epitomizes a loyal covenant bond, illuminating God's providence that preserved David through faithful friends, ultimately paving the way for his ascension to the throne.