John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:29
And he said, let me go, I pray thee, for our family hath a sacrifice in the city ,.... In the city of Bethlehem where they lived, a peace offering on account of the new moon, and as an anniversary thanksgiving for the mercies of the year, 1 Samuel 20:6 ; and seeing, though he was not at the feast in one place, he observed it in another, his absence at court was the more excusable; and the rather, since it was kept by him with his own family, in his own city: besides, it is added: and my... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:28
And Jonathan answered Saul ,.... In reply to Saul's question, and to excuse David, he said: David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem ; his own city, his native place, where his family lived, whom he was desirous to see, and yet chose not to go without asking leave; and as Saul was not at home, he asked leave of Jonathan, who was next to him, and acted for him; and he was very pressing and importunate in his suit, and therefore Jonathan could not well deny him it; and he... read more