1 Samuel 20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20

David, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to consider at last whether it may not be necessary for him to retire into the country and to take up arms in his own defence. But he will not do so daring a thing without consulting his faithful friend Jonathan; how he did this, and what passed between them, we have an account in this chapter, where we have as surprising instances of supernatural love as we had in the chapter before of unnatural hatred. I. David complains to... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 20 David fleeing from Naioth came to Jonathan, and acquainted him with his circumstances, and entreated his favour, 1 Samuel 20:1 ; which Jonathan promised, and renewed the covenant with him, 1 Samuel 20:9 ; a scheme was formed between them, by which David might know whether Saul was reconciled to him, and he might come to court, 1 Samuel 20:18 ; which being tried, Jonathan found it was not safe for him to appear, 1 Samuel 20:24 ; of which he gave... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:2

And he said unto him, God forbid, thou shalt not die ,.... He could not believe his father had any such intention; and that if he discovered anything of that kind, it was only when he was in a frenzy, and a melancholy disorder had seized him; and that David had nothing to fear on that head, and that he would secure him from all danger in that respect; the thing was too gross and detestable to be credited: behold, my father will do nothing, either great or small, but that he will show it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:3

And David sware moreover, and said ,.... To assure Jonathan of the truth of it, that he did most certainly seek after his life, of which, as he had no doubt himself, by an oath he endeavoured to remove any that might be in Jonathan, who was not willing to believe his father could be guilty of so foul a crime: thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes : that he was high in his favour, that he had a great value for him, and he had a large share in his love and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:4

Then said Jonathan unto David ,.... Now giving credit to what he had said, and in order to comfort and support him under the apprehensions he had of danger: whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee ; for the preservation of his life, by speaking to his father on his behalf, endeavouring to dissuade him from his evil intentions, or by hiding and concealing him in some obscure place, that he might not execute his evil designs upon him, or by any method he could point out... read more

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