And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of ,.... The covenant they had made between them and their families: behold, the Lord be between me and thee for ever : as a witness of the covenant, and a revenger of those that should break it; so the Targum,"behold, the Word of the Lord be between me and thee a witness for ever.' read more
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
The two friends now agree upon the sign. Jonathan was to shoot three arrows at this stone, Ezel, as his mark, and was then to send his servant to gather them up. When he bad gone some distance Jonathan was to shout to him, loud enough for David to hear. If Jonathan said that the arrows were on that side the mark, i.e. between it and Jonathan, David was to come forth boldly, as all was well. But if Jonathan said that the arrows were further on, then David must understand that he was to seek... read more
1 Samuel 20:21-23. I will send a lad, &c. I will send him before I shoot, to find and take up the arrows which I shall shoot: and I shall shoot them either short of him or beyond him, as I shall see occasion. If I say, Behold the arrows are beyond thee This signal seems to have been agreed on between them, in case Jonathan was so watched and followed, as not to have an opportunity of communing with David by word of mouth. The Lord be between thee and me As a witness and a judge, and... read more
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
23. as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of—The plan being concerted, the friends separated for a time, and the amiable character of Jonathan again peers out in his parting allusion to their covenant of friendship. :-. SAUL, MISSING DAVID, SEEKS TO KILL JONAHAN. read more
2. Jonathan’s advocacy for David ch. 20This chapter records Jonathan’s last attempt to reconcile Saul to David. The emphasis is on the hardening of Saul’s heart that God allowed since the king refused to genuinely repent. read more
The plan for communicating Saul’s intentions to David 20:18-23Saul would miss David at his feast not only because his seat would be vacant but because warriors normally expressed their support for their king by eating with him at important meals (1 Samuel 20:18). David’s absence would have raised a question in Saul’s mind about David’s commitment to him. The writer did not identify the exact place where David had previously hidden himself on some eventful day (1 Samuel 20:19). Evidently it was... read more
B. David Driven out by Saul 19:18-20:42The previous section of text (1 Samuel 16:1 to 1 Samuel 19:17) gave evidence that God was preparing David to become king. This one (1 Samuel 19:18 to 1 Samuel 20:42) narrates the events that resulted in the rift that separated Saul and David. There were two events that were especially significant: God’s overruling Saul’s hostility against David at Ramah (1 Samuel 19:18-24) and Jonathan’s failure to heal the breach between Saul and David (ch. 20). read more
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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