1 Samuel 20:25 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:25

And the king sat upon his seat as at other times ,.... Upon the seat he usually sat on: even upon a seat by the wall ; on a couch by the side of the wall; or, as Jarchi and R. Isaiah say, at the head of the couch by the wall, which was the most honourable place; and Kimchi observes, it was the custom in those days to eat meat sitting on beds or couches, see 1 Samuel 28:23 , and Jonathan arose ; either in reverence to his father, when he came in and took his seat, or in respect to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:25

The king sat upon his seat - It seems that there was one table for Saul, Jonathan, David, and Abner; Saul having the chief seat, that next to the wall. As only four sat at this table, the absence of any one would soon be noticed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:24-26

EXPOSITION OPEN HATRED OF SAUL AGAINST DAVID ( 1 Samuel 20:24-34 ). The king sat him down to eat meat. Hebrew, "the king sat down at the bread to eat." On sitting at table see 1 Samuel 16:11 . And Jonathan arose. When the king had taken his usual place, that of honour, next the wall, and therefore farthest from the door, Jonathan arose and took his place on one side of the king, while Abner sat on the other. David's place below them was left empty. The omission of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:24-34

Wasted influences, muffed thoughts, and conflicting interests. The facts are— 1 . While David lies hidden, Saul notices his absence from the feast on the first day, and refers it to some ceremonial defilement. 2 . On the second day he calls Jonathan's attention to the fact, and inquires the cause. 3 . On his explaining the reason, Saul, in a fit of anger, accuses him of friendship with David, and points out the injury which he thinks will arise therefrom. 4 . On Jonathan... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 20:24-26

1 Samuel 20:24-26. David hid himself in the field Namely, at the time appointed: for it seems probable that he went first to Beth-lehem, and thence returned to the field, when the occasion required. Jonathan arose He rose from his seat where he had sat next the king, and stood up at Abner’s coming, to do honour to him, who was his father’s cousin, and the general of the army. Something hath befallen him Some accident, which has rendered him unclean, and so unfit to partake of this... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 20:25

1 Samuel 20:25. And the king sat upon his seat— The Hebrews, as well as the Egyptians, the ancient Greeks, and the first people of Italy, sat at table. See Genesis 37:25; Genesis 43:33.Proverbs 23:1; Proverbs 23:1. It appears however, that, after Saul's time, they began to eat seated upon beds at low tables. Since that epocha, we find divers examples of it in Scripture: though other instances give room to think that the women often continued to be seated upon seats. Saul sat against the wall,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 20:25

25. the king sat upon his seat, as at other times . . . by the wall—The left-hand corner at the upper end of a room was and still is in the East, the most honorable place. The person seated there has his left arm confined by the wall, but his right hand is at full liberty. From Abner's position next the king, and David's seat being left empty, it would seem that a state etiquette was observed at the royal table, each of the courtiers and ministers having places assigned them according to their... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 20:1-42

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