1 Samuel 20:19 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:11-23

The spring of self-sacrifice. The facts are— 1 . Jonathan and David retire from observation to confer further. 2 . Jonathan undertakes to do all that David requires, and solemnly pledges himself to let him know the mind of Saul. 3 . He pleads with David, in prospect of his elevation to power, that he and his house may receive mercy. 4 . In his eagerness he seeks a renewal of David's promise. 5 . They then arrange that, after consulting with Saul, an arrow before or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:18-19

Jonathan now arranges his plan for communicating the result to David. For when thou hast stayed three days , at which all the versions stumble, a slight alteration gives the right sense: "And on the third day." David on the third day was to go down quickly —Hebrew, "greatly, i.e. he was to go a long way down into the valley. The rendering quickly is taken from the Vulgate, but makes no sense. It did not matter whether David went fast or slow, as he was to hide there for some time, but... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 20:19

The stone Ezel - It is not mentioned elsewhere, except possibly in 1 Samuel 20:41, where see the note. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 20:19

1 Samuel 20:19. When thou hast stayed three days, &c. This is commonly interpreted of his staying so long with his kindred at Bethlehem. In the Hebrew the words are, Thou shalt three times go down to a very low place; and the meaning seems to be, that if Jonathan did not come to the place appointed the first day, David should take it for granted that he had no information of importance to communicate, and should come again the second day; and if Jonathan brought him no intelligence... 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 20:19

when the business was in hand : i.e. the day when Jonathan arranged for David to overhear Saul's murderous intention (1 Samuel 19:2 , 1 Samuel 19:3 ), and when Jonathan devoted himself to the business of David's safety. stone Ezel . Septuagint reads "the side of this mound". read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 20:19

1 Samuel 20:19. And when thou hast stayed three days, &c.— But on the third day thou shalt come quickly to that place, in which thou shalt hide thyself on the feast day; and thou shalt sit by the stone Ezel: Houbigant. Ezel is supposed to have been a stone erected to shew men the road, for the word signifies going or travelling. The Syriac and Greek render it, by this stone. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 20:19

19. when thou hast stayed three days—either with your family at Beth-lehem, or wherever you find it convenient. come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand—Hebrew, "in the day," or "time of the business," when the same matter was under inquiry formerly ( :-). remain by the stone Ezel—Hebrew, "the stone of the way"; a sort of milestone which directed travellers. He was to conceal himself in some cave or hiding-place near that spot. read more