1 Samuel 20:1-22:23

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1-42

DAVID AND JONATHAN JEALOUSY AND FEAR (1 Samuel 18:0 ) Jonathan’s love for David is put to a serious test, but is found genuine. On the homeward march from the victory over the Philistines, the women of Israel, following oriental custom, met the warriors and accompanied them along the road, singing and dancing. But their joy outran their judgment, so that they praised David more than their king. A better man than Saul could scarcely have resisted the temptation to envy, sinful as it was (1... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 20:1-42

Jonathan's Moral Courage 1Sa 20:34 WE are to understand that David was in great jeopardy from Saul, the king of Israel. David himself was very sensible of the peril of his condition, so much so, that he graphically described it to Jonathan in these words: "As thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death!" David was anxious to know whether Saul was at all mollified towards him. So the two young men, Jonathan and David, made a little plan between them, by which they were to test... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1

CONTENTS The subject of David's distresses, on account of Saul's seeking his life, is continued through this Chapter. David leaveth Naioth, and flees to Jonathan for counsel. They confer on the best means for David to adopt. A plan is suggested for this purpose, but it fails. They meet by appointment, and it becoming necessary for David to escape for his life, Jonathan and David part with tears. 1 Samuel 20:1 (1) ¶ And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1

To Jonathan, at Gabaa. He thought it no longer safe to remain at Najoth. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:1-10

1-10 The trials David met with, prepared him for future advancement. Thus the Lord deals with those whom he prepares unto glory. He does not put them into immediate possession of the kingdom, but leads them to it through much tribulation, which he makes the means of fitting them for it. Let them not murmur at his gracious appointment, nor distrust his care; but let them look forward with joyful expectation to the crown which is laid up for them. Sometimes it appears to us that there is but a... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 20:1-23

Conference between David and Jonathan v. 1. And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, from the enclosure in which the seminary of the prophets was located, and came and said before Jonathan, with whom he was united in the closest and firmest friendship, 1 Samuel 18:1-Numbers :, What have I done? What is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father that he seeketh my life? The threefold question by which he appealed to the personal knowledge of Jonathan was a threefold denial of any fault... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 20:1-42

1 Samuel 20:1-231And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan,1 What have I done? what is my iniquity and what is my sin before thy father that 2he seeketh my life? And he said unto him, God forbid [Far be it2]! Thou shalt not die; behold, my father will do3 nothing either great or small but that he will 3show it me, and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. And David sware4 moreover,5 and said, Thy father certainly knoweth [knoweth well]6 that I... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 1 Samuel 20:1-13

1 Samuel JONATHAN, THE PATTERN OF FRIENDSHIP 1Sa_20:1 - 1Sa_20:13 . The friendship of Jonathan for David comes like a breath of pure air in the midst of the heavy-laden atmosphere of hate and mad fury, or like some clear fountain sparkling up among the sulphurous slag and barren scoriae of a volcano. There is no more beautiful page in history or poetry than the story of the passionate love of the heir to the throne for the young champion, whom he had so much cause to regard as a rival. What... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1-16

Friendship’s Covenant 1 Samuel 20:1-16 Life becomes intolerable when suspense is long drawn out; hence David’s appeal to his friend. Besides, he yearned for one more glimpse of the dear home at Bethlehem, and to drink of “the well which was by the gate.” The talk between the friends was heart-breaking to both. Only those who have experienced the severance of loving communion and intercourse can fathom the depth and bitterness of the waters that began to roll between the two friends. Jonathan... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 20:1-42

David returned to Jonathan, and there follows an interesting and beautiful account of a time in which these two friends took counsel together about David's peril. Every incident of the story is full of arresting beauty; Jonathan's deep concern and all he did to help his friend reveal a man of the finest type. As we have suggested, the whole attitude of Jonathan becomes the more wonderful when we remember that he was the heir apparent to the throne. Moreover, we see not merely his love for... read more

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