1 Samuel 20 6

1 Samuel 20:6 kjv

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

1 Samuel 20:6 nkjv

If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked permission of me that he might run over to Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.'

1 Samuel 20:6 niv

If your father misses me at all, tell him, 'David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.'

1 Samuel 20:6 esv

If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.'

1 Samuel 20:6 nlt

If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family sacrifice.

1 Samuel 20 verses

1 Samuel 20 6 Meaning

1 Samuel 20:6 details the specific excuse David instructs Jonathan to give King Saul for David's absence from the new moon feast. The fabricated reason is that David urgently requested permission from Jonathan to attend a compulsory annual family sacrifice in his hometown, Bethlehem. This serves as a plausible, religiously and culturally binding obligation that would typically warrant absence from royal duties, aiming to deflect Saul's suspicion and protect David's whereabouts.

1 Samuel 20 6 Context

This verse is part of a desperate plan concocted by David and Jonathan to ascertain Saul's true intentions towards David. Saul's irrational jealousy and attempts on David's life have forced David to flee. David proposes a test: he will be absent from Saul's table at the annual New Moon feast, a significant religious and social gathering where David, as Saul's son-in-law and military commander, would be expected to be present. Jonathan, unwavering in his loyalty and covenant with David, is to observe Saul's reaction to David's absence and relay it back. The specific lie David instructs Jonathan to use in this verse provides a culturally acceptable reason for his absence, demonstrating both David's astuteness in navigating political dangers and the extent to which he and Jonathan must go to protect his life. The setting highlights the volatile environment of Saul's court and the deep, faithful bond between David and Jonathan, forged against the backdrop of Saul's increasing tyranny.

1 Samuel 20 6 Word analysis

• Then he said: Introduces David's instruction to Jonathan, outlining the precise details of their agreed-upon deception.
• If your father misses me at all: The Hebrew phrase paqod yipq'deni (פָּקֹד יִפְקְדֵנִי) is an emphatic construction, literally "missing, he will certainly miss me," or "if he carefully observes my absence." This highlights David's understanding of Saul's watchful and suspicious nature, anticipating that Saul would notice his absence.
• then say: Instructs Jonathan directly on the required deceptive speech, emphasizing the critical role of the lie in their strategy.
• Jonathan urged me strongly to go to Bethlehem his city:
  • The Hebrew behind "Jonathan urged me strongly" is nish'ol nish'al David me'immadi (נִשְׁאֹל נִשְׁאַל דָּוִד מֵעִמָּדִי), which literally translates to "David strongly/urgently asked leave/permission from me."
  • This is crucial: The lie Jonathan is to tell Saul is that David himself (not Jonathan) earnestly requested permission from Jonathan to go to Bethlehem. This places Jonathan in a position of granting leave, making the story appear more credible and implying Jonathan's oversight and approval. Modern English translations like ESV ("Jonathan urged me strongly") often simplify the Hebrew syntax but capture the essence that Jonathan's involvement is key to the fabricated story. It effectively makes it sound as though Jonathan, due to his good relationship with David, had given him special leave, thus framing the reason for absence within the acceptable bounds of Saul's knowledge.
  • to Bethlehem his city: Bethlehem (Beyt Lechem) was indeed David's hometown, adding an element of truth to the lie. The phrase "his city" ('iro) refers to David's city, emphasizing its personal significance to him. The context suggests that the trip was presented as an urgent and perhaps last-minute request David made to Jonathan to participate in a deep family tradition in his ancestral home.
• for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family:
  • yearly sacrifice (zevach shenatit - זֶבַח שְׁנָתִית): A communal, annual animal sacrifice typically followed by a feast, performed by families in their hometowns or ancestral lands. Such events were central to Israelite family and religious life, and attending them was considered a compelling and legitimate reason for absence, even from royal court. These sacrifices were often peace offerings (zevah shelamim) meant to promote fellowship and communion between God and the participants, and among the family members.
  • for all the family (mishpachah lo sham): Emphasizes the collective and obligatory nature of the event. It was not a private whim but a family obligation, underscoring the custom and duty. This made the excuse more robust and less questionable in ancient Israelite culture.

1 Samuel 20 6 Bonus section

The deliberate framing of the lie – that David asked leave of Jonathan – further illustrates Jonathan's significant standing within the court and David's respect for it, even in their subterfuge. It's a strategic move to lend legitimacy to David's absence. This annual family sacrifice, though fictional in this specific instance, points to the regular rhythm of Israelite life centered around religious festivals and clan gatherings, reinforcing community identity and worship. The situation also brings to the forefront biblical tension regarding deception; while outright lying is generally condemned (Prov 12:22), narratives sometimes portray deceptive actions as providentially used to protect lives or advance God's purposes (e.g., Rahab in Josh 2, the midwives in Ex 1:15-21), demonstrating God's sovereign hand working even through flawed human choices.

1 Samuel 20 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 20:6 encapsulates a pivotal moment of strategic deception borne out of desperation and deep loyalty. David, keenly aware of Saul's escalating paranoia and murderous intent, instructs Jonathan in a meticulously crafted alibi. The lie, that David sought urgent leave from Jonathan for an annual family sacrifice in Bethlehem, leverages core Israelite values: the sacredness of family bonds, the religious obligation of yearly observances, and the authority of Jonathan as a prince (who might grant such leave). By positioning Jonathan as the one who facilitated David's urgent request, the story gains an added layer of credibility in Saul's eyes, deflecting suspicion from a direct, unannounced departure by David. This verse not only highlights David's pragmatic cunning for survival but also Jonathan's unwavering fidelity, as he willingly participates in a potentially dangerous deception to protect his friend. It is a testament to the intensity of their covenant love in the face of profound adversity, navigating the complexities of divine purposes, human agency, and the ethics of deception for a righteous cause.