1 Samuel 20 19

1 Samuel 20:19 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 20:19 nkjv

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.

1 Samuel 20:19 niv

The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel.

1 Samuel 20:19 esv

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.

1 Samuel 20:19 nlt

The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid before, and wait there by the stone pile.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 19 Meaning

This verse contains Jonathan's precise instructions to David for their secret rendezvous, after David had fled Saul's murderous rage. It specifies the timing ("after three days"), the method ("go down quickly"), the familiar secret location ("place where you hid yourselves when the business was in hand"), and the exact spot where David was to wait ("by the stone Ezel"), thereby establishing a crucial point for their coded communication about Saul's intentions. It highlights the critical, dangerous situation David was in and the deep trust and loyalty between him and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20 19 Context

First Samuel chapter 20 takes place after multiple attempts by King Saul to kill David. Saul's irrational jealousy and demonic vexation have spiraled, forcing David to constantly flee for his life. In the immediate context, David has sought out Jonathan, deeply distressed and bewildered by Saul's intense hatred, asserting his innocence and asking "What have I done?" (1 Sam 20:1). Jonathan, initially reluctant to believe his father would harm David, agrees to ascertain Saul's true intentions during the New Moon festival. This verse outlines Jonathan's meticulous, clandestine plan for David to absent himself from the feast and then receive a coded message from Jonathan about Saul's reaction, all designed to ensure David's safety from the king's increasingly volatile wrath. The instructions highlight the dire nature of the situation and the critical need for absolute secrecy.

1 Samuel 20 19 Word analysis

• And when you have stayed three days, (וְשׁלּשת - ve-shaloshet) The duration "three days" is common in biblical narratives for significant intervals. It provides time for the New Moon festival to commence, for Jonathan to observe Saul's disposition, and for David to be safely hidden, avoiding detection. It indicates strategic timing rather than immediacy.
• then you shall go down quickly (וְיָרַדְתָּ֣ - ve-yaradta) "Go down" suggests descending from the general vicinity where David was hiding (possibly outside the city, perhaps in a higher, more concealed area) to the pre-arranged lower ground. "Quickly" implies urgency and a need for discretion, minimizing the time David might be exposed.
• and come to the place where you hid yourselves (וּבָאתָ֙ אֶל־הַמָּק֜וֹם אֲשֶׁר־נִסְתַּ֧רְתָּ שָׁ֣ם - u-va'ta el-ha-maqom asher nistar-ta sham) "Hid yourselves" (נִסְתַּרְתָּ - nistarta, from the root סָתַר sathar, meaning "to hide, conceal oneself"). This highlights David's ongoing status as a fugitive. The phrase implies a familiar, previously utilized secret spot, signifying the depth of David and Jonathan's collaboration in evading Saul.
• when the business was in hand; (בְּיוֹם הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֑ה - bə-yom ha-maʿaśêh) "Business" (מַעֲשֶׂה - ma'aseh) here refers to a particular, notable previous event or enterprise, likely an instance when David had to hide from Saul. It underscores the recurring pattern of danger and David's life as a hunted man. It also indicates a shared, prior understanding between David and Jonathan of the hiding place.
• and you shall remain by the stone Ezel. (וְיָֽשַׁבְתָּ֙ אֵ֣צֶל הָאֶ֣בֶן הָאָ֔זֶל - v'yashavta etzel ha'even ha'azel) "Remain" (יָשַׁב - yashav, "to sit, to dwell, to stay") implies waiting patiently and securely. The "stone Ezel" (הָאֶבֶן הָאָזֶל - ha'even ha'azel) is a specific landmark. The term "Ezel" (אָזֶל - azel) is unique and possibly means "stone of departure" or "stone of separation," possibly alluding to David's inevitable departure or a marker that defines the boundary beyond which one must not pass. It was a pre-arranged signal point for their crucial, covert communication.

• "When you have stayed three days, then you shall go down quickly and come...": This sequence of precise instructions emphasizes Jonathan's detailed planning and forethought. The combination of specific timing and swift movement underscores the high stakes and the need for precision to ensure David's safety.
• "to the place where you hid yourselves when the business was in hand": This phrase refers to a pre-established, trusted secret location known only to David and Jonathan. It speaks to their long-standing secret alliance against Saul's madness, highlighting their shared history of danger and cunning.
• "and you shall remain by the stone Ezel": This is the designated final point for the communication. The "stone Ezel" acts as the critical visible landmark for the elaborate arrow signal described later (1 Sam 20:20-22). Its possible meaning of "departure" or "witness" prophetically anticipates David's final separation from Jonathan and Saul's court.

1 Samuel 20 19 Bonus section

The "stone Ezel" (often debated in meaning and exact location) serves as more than just a physical marker; it is a symbol of the profound friendship and covenant between Jonathan and David, as well as the point of their near-final, sorrowful separation before David definitively went into exile. This chapter, including this verse, exemplifies exceptional human loyalty mirroring, in a finite way, the steadfast love and covenant faithfulness that God displays towards His chosen. The detailed nature of the plan emphasizes that God often works through the diligent and wise efforts of His people, rather than solely through miraculous intervention, though His sovereign hand guides it all.

1 Samuel 20 19 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the urgency and meticulous planning of Jonathan, driven by profound love and loyalty for David. It illustrates the high degree of danger David faced, making elaborate secret arrangements essential for his survival. Jonathan, though the king's son, courageously puts himself at risk to protect his covenant friend. The choice of a known hiding spot and the specific landmark of "the stone Ezel" highlight the calculated prudence needed in the face of Saul's escalating madness. This strategic approach underscores the biblical principle of wisdom and discretion when dealing with perilous circumstances, all while God's providence secretly guided the actions toward His divine purpose for David.