1 Samuel 20:1-10 NIV

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:5

And David said unto Jonathan ,.... Moved that the following method might be taken as a trial of the disposition of Saul's mind towards David: behold, tomorrow is the new moon ; the first day of the month, which was kept solemnly with burnt offerings and peace offerings, see Numbers 10:10 . Some say F18 Weemse's Expos. Ceremon. Law, c. 22. p. 100, 101. this feast was not kept for the new moon, but because it was the day of the feast of trumpets or the first day of the new year,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:6

If thy father at all miss me ,.... Or diligently inquires after me: then say, David earnestly asked leave of me, that he might run to Bethlehem his city : the place of his birth, called the city of David, where he was born and had lived, Luke 2:4 , which was not far from Gibeah, and whither he could soon run; and which shows the haste he proposed to make, and his eager desire to be there, and which also is signified by his earnest and importunate request; for all this might be true,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:7

If he say thus, it is well ,.... It is very well, it is very good and right in him to do so: thy servant shall have peace ; it will be a token that the wrath of the king was removed, and that his mind was well disposed towards David, and things had taken an happy turn, and would issue in his peace and prosperity: but if he be very wroth ; with Jonathan for giving leave, and with David for going away: then be sure that evil is determined by him ; that he has a settled... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:8

Therefore thou shall deal kindly with thy servant ,.... By informing him how his father's mind stood affected to him, that he might conduct himself accordingly, either by appearing at court, or by providing for his safety by flight: for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee ; a covenant of friendship between Jonathan and David, of which Jonathan was the first mover, and so is said to bring or persuade him into it; called the covenant of the Lord, because... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:1-8

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:8

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