1 Samuel 20 41

1 Samuel 20:41 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 20:41 nkjv

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.

1 Samuel 20:41 niv

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.

1 Samuel 20:41 esv

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.

1 Samuel 20:41 nlt

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.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 41 Meaning

1 Samuel 20:41 describes the poignant and deeply emotional farewell between David and Jonathan. David emerges from his hiding place and, in an astonishing act of reverence, prostrates himself fully to the ground before Jonathan, bowing three times. They then embrace, kissing each other, and weep together intensely, with David's sorrow appearing to exceed Jonathan's. This verse marks the climactic moment of their covenantal friendship before David begins his life as a fugitive.

1 Samuel 20 41 Context

1 Samuel 20 is a pivotal chapter, sealing the bond between David and Jonathan and formally commencing David's life as a fugitive. Following Saul's growing jealousy and murderous intent towards David, Jonathan devises a secret plan (vv. 5-13) to ascertain his father's true intentions and inform David. Their covenant, a sacred oath before the Lord (vv. 16-17), underpins their actions. During the New Moon festival, David's absence provokes Saul, who openly declares his intent to kill David (vv. 30-33). Saul even throws a spear at Jonathan for defending David (v. 33), solidifying Jonathan's conviction that David must flee. Verse 41 describes the prearranged signal's execution, the dismissal of Jonathan's servant, and the profoundly emotional and solemn parting that followed in secret. This meeting is not merely a farewell; it is the ultimate affirmation of their unconditional covenant, marking a spiritual transfer of power as Jonathan acknowledges David's future kingship even while being the heir apparent himself.

1 Samuel 20 41 Word analysis

• Then David rose up (וַיָּקָם דָּוִד, wayyaqam Dawid): "Rose up" indicates coming out of his hidden place. David (Dawid) means "beloved," a fitting name given the love shared in this moment. His action signifies readiness for the intense interaction and departure.

• from the south (מֵאֵצֶל הַנֶּגֶב, mē’ētsel hanneghev): Literally "from beside the Negeb (South)." This specifies David's location, perhaps a rock or mound south of where Jonathan shot the arrows, indicating his secluded and clandestine position.

• and fell on his face to the ground (וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָיו אַרְצָה, wayyippol al-panayv artsah): This is an act of total prostration, a posture of extreme reverence, profound submission, or desperate supplication. It implies the deepest form of honor. David, the future king, prostrating himself before Jonathan, the crown prince (but soon to lose the throne), highlights David's humility and acknowledgment of Jonathan's extraordinary loyalty and sacrifice, or perhaps even an act of formal reverence before a legitimate authority in that moment.

• and bowed three times (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּ שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים, wayyishtaha shag w shalosh pe'amim): "Bowed" (hishtahawa*) here means to worship, do obeisance, or show deep reverence. Performing it "three times" adds a ritualistic intensity, emphasizing the gravity and solemnity of the occasion and the profound respect David held for Jonathan. It signifies utter submission or veneration, multiplying the impact of the initial prostration.

• They kissed one another (וַיִּשְּׁקוּ אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ, wayyishshəqu ’ish ’et-rēʿēhu): A traditional sign of deep affection, friendship, or farewell. This intimate act sealed their bond and conveyed their heartfelt connection beyond mere words. It speaks of affection, not romantic love.

• and wept with one another (וַיִּבְכּוּ אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ, wayyivku ’ish ’et-rēʿēhu): "Wept" signifies profound sorrow, grief, and emotional anguish. The mutual weeping underlines the shared pain and distress of their impending separation and the recognition of the severe consequences of David's forced exile.

• until David exceeded (עַד־דָּוִד הִגְדִּיל, 'ad-Dawid higdil): Literally, "until David magnified [his weeping]" or "increased his weeping." This suggests that David's weeping surpassed Jonathan's, perhaps because the direct peril and immediate hardship were David's. He was stepping into a life of uncertainty and danger, realizing the full weight of the loss—not just of Jonathan's companionship but of everything familiar.

• "Fell on his face... bowed three times": This sequence of actions speaks volumes. It's a performative act of honor that inverts their social standing. David, chosen by God as the future king, humbles himself completely before Jonathan, the current heir. This demonstrates David's deep respect, not for Jonathan's royal status, but for Jonathan's faithful and self-sacrificial love and adherence to the divine will for David.

1 Samuel 20 41 Bonus section

The intense prostration by David, typically reserved for monarchs or deities, suggests a depth of gratitude and veneration towards Jonathan that transcended their respective political stations. Jonathan had effectively yielded his potential throne for David, acted as a divine messenger warning David, and stood as David's loyal advocate against his own father. David’s bowing can thus be seen as recognition of Jonathan's divinely inspired loyalty and willingness to step aside, honoring the covenant between them that reflected a deeper, spiritual reality. This event highlights Jonathan’s exemplary character as one who submits to God’s plan, even at great personal cost. It serves as a profound example of laying down one's life (or rightful claim) for a friend (Jn 15:13) and for the will of God, paralleling in some ways the greater relinquishment of self.

1 Samuel 20 41 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:41 encapsulates the apex of David and Jonathan's friendship—a covenant of profound love, loyalty, and faith. The dramatic prostration by David is a pivotal moment, defying typical protocol where the heir-apparent (Jonathan) might receive such homage. Instead, David, the recipient of divine favor and Jonathan’s self-sacrificing love, humbles himself, recognizing the immense cost of Jonathan's loyalty. This act underscores David’s character: humble even in the face of future greatness, acknowledging the extraordinary kindness shown to him.

The subsequent kissing and mutual weeping vividly portray their agony at separation. It wasn't merely the pain of parting friends, but the shared burden of the imminent dangers to David, the unjust rage of Saul, and the uncertain future of Jonathan within a failing kingdom. David's exceeding grief reflects his direct confrontation with immediate exile, persecution, and a life away from home. This farewell scene is not just an emotional outburst but a deeply spiritual and political transition. It formalizes David's flight and, by Jonathan's full cooperation, subtly acknowledges God's choice of David over the current royal line, sealed in the bond of a unique, Christ-like friendship.