1 Samuel 20:1-22:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1-8

Here, I. David makes a representation to Jonathan of his present troubles. While Saul lay bound by his trance at Naioth David escaped to the court, and got to speak with Jonathan. And it was happy for him that he had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the throne. If there be those that hate and despise us, let us not be disturbed at that, for there are those also that love and respect us. God hath set the one over against the other, and so must we. Jonathan was a friend that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah ,.... While Saul was prophesying, or lay in a trance there: and came ; to Gibeah, where Saul dwelt, and had his palace, and kept his court: and said before Jonathan ; whom he found there, and for whose sake he thither fled to have his advice, and to use his interest with his father, and be his friend at court: what have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life ? surely, as if he should... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:1

David fled from Naioth - On hearing that Saul had come to that place, knowing that he was no longer in safety, he fled for his life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1

JONATHAN ENDEAVOURS TO RECONCILE SAUL TO DAVID ( 1 Samuel 20:1-42 .). EXPOSITION JONATHAN 'S COVENANT WITH DAVID RENEWED ( 1 Samuel 20:1-23 ). David fled from Naioth. While Saul was under the influence of the prophetic enthusiasm David escaped; but it is evident that this visit to Samuel, and the extraordinary occurrences which attended it, were not without, a good influence for the time upon Saul's mind. Some sort of reconciliation must have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1-10

Endangered life and reputation. The facts are— 1 . David, believing in Saul's purpose to kill him, flees to Jonathan, and inquires into the cause of this persecution. 2 . Jonathan quiets him by the assurance that Saul would not hide any purpose from him. 3 . On David referring to Saul's knowledge of their friendship and its effect on his methods, Jonathan expresses readiness to do whatever David may suggest. 4 . Thereupon David suggests a means by which Saul's disposition... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 20:1

While Saul was under the constraining influence of the spirit of prophecy, David escaped from Naioth, and, probably by Samuel’s advice, returned to Saul’s court to commune with Jonathan. Nothing could be a better evidence of his innocence than thus putting himself in Jonathan’s power. Perhaps something passed between Samuel and Saul on the subject, since it appears from 1Sa 20:5, 1 Samuel 20:25, 1 Samuel 20:27, that Saul expected David at the feast of the new moon. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 20:1

1 Samuel 20:1. David fled, and came and said before Jonathan Saul’s being thrown into a trance, as mentioned in the foregoing verse, gave David time to escape, and he went from Naioth to Gibeah, where Jonathan was. “It was happy for David that he had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the throne.” Henry. What have I done? What is mine iniquity? He appeals to Jonathan himself concerning his innocence, and endeavours to convince him that, notwithstanding he had committed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1-42

20:1-31:13 SAUL’S PURSUIT OF DAVIDJonathan helps David escape (20:1-42)Apparently Jonathan did not know of the number of attempts that his father had made to kill David (20:1-2). When he saw that David was genuinely fearful, he agreed to co-operate with David in finding out Saul’s real intentions once and for all (3-9).Jonathan’s love for David was genuine. Even though he knew that David, and not he, would be the next king, he showed no sign of jealousy. He asked only that David, on becoming... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 20:1

iniquity. Hebrew ` avah. App-44 . sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 . my life = my soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . "Me" emphatic. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:1

THE FINAL BREAK BETWEEN SAUL AND DAVID;DAVID FLEES FROM NAIROTH TO JONATHAN"Then David fled from Nairoth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father that he seeks my life"? And he said to him, "Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me; and why should my father hide this from me? It is not so." But David replied, "Your father knows well that I have... read more

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