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1 Samuel 20

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 20 of 31

1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? What is my iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my soul?

2 And he said to him, Far be it! You shall not die. Behold, my father shall not do a great thing or a small thing and not reveal it to my ear. And why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so.

3 And David again swore and said, Your father has certainly known that I have found favor in your eyes; and he said, Do not let Jonathan know this, that he not be grieved. And yet, as Jehovah lives, and your soul lives, there is only a step between me and death.

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Chapter Summary

David talks with Jonathan about his safety. Jonathan and David renew their promise. Jonathan's token to David. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan. Jonathan leaves David.

Key Hebrew Words

בְּרִית covenant H1285 · TWOT 282a
חֶ֫סֶד covenant kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a
אַהֲבָה love H160 · TWOT 29c
שָׁבַע swear an oath H7650 · TWOT 2319
שָׁלוֹם peace H7965 · TWOT 2401a
נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, life H5315 · TWOT 1395a

People & Context

David

Fugitive who pleads his innocence to Jonathan and hides in the field to test Saul's intent

Jonathan

Saul's son who loves David, makes covenant with him, and warns him with the sign of the arrows

Saul

The king whose anger flares; he hurls his spear at Jonathan for defending David

Abner

Saul's commander, who sits at the king's side at the new moon feast

Timeline

David Confides in Jonathan

David flees Naioth and meets Jonathan, desperate to know why Saul seeks his life. They plot to test Saul's disposition during the upcoming New Moon feast.

1 Samuel 20:1-10
The Field Covenant and Arrow Plan

Jonathan and David go to a field, renew their covenant extending to their descendants, and agree on a signal involving three arrows to safely inform David of Saul's intentions.

1 Samuel 20:11-23
Saul Notes David's Absence

During the New Moon feast, David's seat is empty. Saul says nothing the first day, but questions Jonathan on the second day, prompting Jonathan to use the agreed-upon excuse of a family sacrifice.

1 Samuel 20:24-29

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