1 Samuel 20:5 kjv
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.
1 Samuel 20:5 nkjv
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.
1 Samuel 20:5 niv
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.
1 Samuel 20:5 esv
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.
1 Samuel 20:5 nlt
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.
1 Samuel 20 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| New Moon Customs | ||
| Num 10:10 | "Also in the day of your gladness… you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings." | New Moon trumpets/offerings |
| Num 28:11-15 | "At the beginnings of your months (New Moons) you shall present a burnt offering to the LORD." | Mandated New Moon sacrifices |
| 2 Ki 4:23 | Her husband said, "Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath." | Suggests New Moon was a special day for seeking prophets. |
| Isa 1:13 | "New moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies – I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting." | Highlights ceremonial importance of New Moons. |
| Amos 8:5 | "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale?" | Reveals New Moon was a day of rest from commerce. |
| 1 Chr 23:31 | And to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons... | Chronicles highlights routine sacrifices for New Moons. |
| David's Persecution & Hiding | ||
| 1 Sam 18:11 | Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall!" | Saul's previous attempts to kill David. |
| 1 Sam 19:1 | Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. | Saul's direct command for David's death. |
| Psa 57:1 | Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by. | David's frequent need to hide and seek divine refuge. |
| Psa 143:9 | Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You. | David seeking protection from pursuers. |
| Matt 10:23 | "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next." | Principle of prudent escape from persecution. |
| Friendship & Covenant | ||
| 1 Sam 18:1 | The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. | The basis of Jonathan and David's deep bond. |
| 1 Sam 18:3 | Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as himself. | Establishment of their covenant. |
| 1 Sam 23:16-18 | Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in Horesh, and encouraged him in God... so they made a covenant before the LORD. | Jonathan's continued loyalty and encouragement to David. |
| Prov 17:17 | A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. | Exemplifies Jonathan's steadfast loyalty to David. |
| John 15:13 | "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." | Jonathan’s friendship implicitly carries this sacrificial quality. |
| Kingship & Providence | ||
| 1 Sam 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. | Explanation for Saul's erratic and violent behavior. |
| Psa 37:5 | Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. | David's reliance on God amidst his strategic planning. |
| Prov 16:9 | The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. | Highlights David's careful planning within divine oversight. |
| Psa 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty... He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. | God's protection as David hides. |
| Dan 2:21 | It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings. | God's sovereign hand in transferring the kingdom from Saul to David. |
1 Samuel 20 verses
1 Samuel 20 5 Meaning
David outlines his strategic plan to Jonathan concerning his impending absence from King Saul's New Moon feast. Recognizing his customary seat at the royal table, David states that his noticeable absence will serve as a crucial test to discern Saul's true intentions and determine if the king still harbors murderous plans against him. To facilitate this test, David requests Jonathan's permission to hide himself in a specific field for three days, providing sufficient time for Saul's reaction to become clear.
1 Samuel 20 5 Context
1 Samuel 20:5 is nestled within a pivotal conversation between David and Jonathan that marks a critical turning point in David's life and his relationship with Saul. Following multiple attempts by Saul to kill David (1 Sam 18:10-11, 19:10-17), David knows his life is in constant peril. Despite his loyalty and service to the king, Saul's insane jealousy makes reconciliation impossible. Jonathan, despite being Saul's son and heir, has formed a deep covenant friendship with David, recognizing God's hand on David (1 Sam 18:1-4).
The immediate context is that David has just fled Gibeah and sought Jonathan's help, feeling that there is "but a step between me and death" (1 Sam 20:3). Jonathan initially struggles to believe his father would harm David, given David's innocence and great service, but promises to uncover the truth. In verse 5, David then proposes a specific plan, leveraging the customary New Moon feast, a significant royal and religious observance, to uncover Saul's intentions directly.
1 Samuel 20 5 Word analysis
- Then David said to Jonathan: Introduces a private and strategic conversation between the two intimate covenant friends. It sets the scene for a decisive plan to navigate intense peril.
- Behold, tomorrow (Heb. hinneh machar): "Hinneh" is an emphatic interjection, drawing immediate attention and signaling urgency. "Machar" ("tomorrow") stresses the time-critical nature of the upcoming event, making their current discussion crucial.
- is the new moon (Heb. chodesh): Refers to "Rosh Chodesh," the monthly festival of the new moon. This was a significant day for Israel: marked by special sacrifices (Num 28:11-15), blowing of trumpets (Num 10:10), communal feasting, and often a family gathering with the king presiding. Attendance for someone of David's rank, being the king's son-in-law and military commander, would be expected and customary.
- and I ought not to fail to sit with the king at dinner: This emphasizes David's customary and expected place at the royal table, a mark of his status and inclusion in the king's inner circle. His absence would be immediately noticed, making it a powerful test of Saul's intentions. It also reveals David's understanding of court protocol.
- but let me go (Heb. shal·le·ḥēnî - "send me away" or "release me"): David’s direct plea to Jonathan, expressing his immediate need to be dismissed and given leave, emphasizing his desperate situation.
- that I may hide myself (Heb. wĕ-niṣ·ṯar·tî - "and I will hide myself"): Reveals David's proposed course of action due to the existential threat. It's a pragmatic act of self-preservation in reliance upon Jonathan's aid. David chooses to conceal himself rather than face certain danger directly.
- in the field: A general, open area outside the city, yet capable of providing cover. It signifies a vulnerable position for hiding, necessitating divine protection, but also a space where he could observe from a distance.
- until the third evening: This specifies the duration of David's planned hiding, implying approximately three full days (the New Moon day, the following day, and a portion of the third day). This carefully calculated timeline allows for Saul’s immediate and any subsequent reactions to David's absence to be observed by Jonathan, before David makes his next move.
Words-group analysis
- "Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought not to fail to sit with the king at dinner": This full phrase establishes the critical and immediate crisis. David uses the fixed custom of the New Moon feast to his strategic advantage, recognizing his conspicuous absence will compel a direct reaction from Saul, revealing his true heart.
- "but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field": This pairing shows David’s active and deliberate plan for escape and observation, rather than passive flight. He chooses a specific mode (hiding) and location (field) to ensure the success of his strategic test.
- "until the third evening": The precision of this time frame indicates David's thoughtful, tactical approach. It’s not impulsive hiding, but a controlled maneuver to gain intelligence over a specific period, allowing for Saul's reactions to unfold fully and for Jonathan to communicate back.
1 Samuel 20 5 Bonus section
- David's detailed plan signifies both his reliance on God's leading and his prudent use of wisdom in facing adversity. It wasn't rash flight but a calculated assessment of the political and relational dynamics at play.
- The tension in this chapter—Jonathan, heir to the throne, actively helping the one destined to replace his father—highlights the profound spiritual principle of choosing God's chosen one over blood ties or personal gain.
- The mention of "the third evening" alludes to a significant period of observation and potential testing, often a complete cycle. It underscores the methodical approach to discerning truth from hidden intentions.
1 Samuel 20 5 Commentary
1 Samuel 20:5 encapsulates David's shrewd wisdom and strategic prudence in the face of mortal danger. Understanding Saul's erratic and murderous nature, David devises a well-calculated test using a highly visible public event – the New Moon feast. His customary attendance would make his absence unmistakable, forcing Saul to reveal his intentions directly through his reaction. This verse underscores the deep covenant relationship between David and Jonathan; Jonathan, despite his family loyalties, commits to aiding David’s survival. It highlights David’s reliance on practical wisdom and human strategy, which always implicitly rested upon God’s ultimate providence and protection. The episode exemplifies David’s pattern of being both a man of faith and a man of wise action, navigating immediate perils with careful planning, while trusting in God's larger purpose for his life.