1 Samuel 20:16-42 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:9-23

Here, I. Jonathan protests his fidelity to David in his distress. Notwithstanding the strong confidence David had in Jonathan, yet, because he might have some reason to fear that his father's influence, and his own interest, should make him warp, or grow cool towards him, Jonathan thought it requisite solemnly to renew the professions of his friendship to him (1 Sam. 20:9): ?Far be it from thee to think that I suspect thee of any crime for which I should either slay thee myself or deliver thee... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:24-34

Jonathan is here effectually convinced of that which he was so loth to believe, that his father had an implacable enmity to David, and would certainly be the death of him if it were in his power; and he had like to have paid very dearly himself for the conviction. I. David is missed from the feast on the first day, but nothing is said of him. The king sat upon his seat, to feast upon the peace-offerings as at other times (1 Sam. 20:25), and yet had his heart as full of envy and malice against... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:35-42

Here is, 1. Jonathan's faithful performance of his promise to give David notice of the success of his dangerous experiment. He went at the time and to the place appointed (1 Sam. 20:35), within sight of which he knew David lay hid, sent his footboy to fetch his arrows, which he would shoot at random (1 Sam. 20:36), and gave David the fatal signal by shooting an arrow beyond the lad (1 Sam. 20:37): Isa. not the arrow beyond thee? That word [beyond] David knew the meaning of better than the lad.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:16

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David ,.... Not with David himself only, which was now renewed, but with his family also: saying , let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies ; take vengeance on Jonathan, or on any of his posterity, should they break this covenant, by showing themselves enemies to David, and his crown; and, on the other hand, also on David, and his posterity, should they not show kindness to Jonathan and his seed, according to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again ,.... Or Jonathan added to make David swears F21 ויסף "et addidit", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so the Tigurine version. ; having sworn himself to make a covenant of friendship with David and his family, he moved and insisted on it, that David should swear to keep covenant with him, and his family: because he loved him ; it was not so much for the good and safety of his offspring that he made this motion, and was so desirous of renewing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:18

Then Jonathan said to David, tomorrow is the new moon ,.... The first day of the month, as David had before observed, 1 Samuel 20:5 , and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty ; or be inquired after, because not in his usual place at mealtime. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:19

And when thou hast stayed three days ,.... From court, either at Bethlehem, which seems most probable, or in some other place incognito; however, not in the field he proposed to hide himself in, where he could not continue so long for want of food: then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself ; which makes it clear that he did not continue there during that time, but went elsewhere; from whence he was to come in haste at the expiration of three... read more

John Gill

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

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof ,.... On the side of the stone Ezel; three are pitched upon, according to the number of the days David was missing: as though I shot at a mark ; as if he made the stone the mark he shot at; so that his shooting would not be taken notice of. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:21

And, behold, I will send a lad ,.... That attended on him, and carried his bow and arrows, and fetched his arrows when he had shot them: saying , go, find out the arrows ; where they are fallen, and return them: if I expressly say unto the lad, behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them ; on one side of him, whether the one or the other, which he would bid him take up, and bring them to him: then come thou ; David, out of the place where he hid himself: for ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:22

But if I say thus unto the young man, behold, the arrows are beyond thee ,.... Being shot to a greater distance than where the young man was: go thy way, for the Lord hath sent thee away ; then he was to depart directly, without staying to have any conversation with Jonathan, which would not be safe for either of them, and so make the best of his way into the country, and escape for his life; for so it was ordered by the providence of God, that he must not stay, but be gone... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:9-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:24-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:35-42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:19

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:22

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