1 Samuel 20:30-34

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 20:30

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan ,.... For giving David leave to go, and for excusing him in this manner: and he said unto him, thou son of the perverse and rebellious woman ; most of the Jewish commentators supply it as we do, but the supplement of woman may as well be left out, and be read, "thou son of perverse rebellion" F6 בן נעות המרדות "fili perversae rebellionis", Pagninus, Montanus. ; thou perverse and rebellious wretch, perverse in thy temper, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:31

For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom ,.... He would not, though heir to the crown, be sure of it; it would be precarious to him, he would be in great danger of being deprived of it on the death of his father; and therefore it would be his highest wisdom to deliver David up to be slain, as it was his greatest folly to protect him, and provide for his satiety: wherefore now send and fetch him unto me ; send to Bethlehem for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:32

And Jonathan answered Saul his, father, and said unto him ,.... Making no answer to the charges of perverseness, rebellion, and folly brought against himself, which he bore with patience, but could not bear to hear his dear friend spoken against, and as worthy of death; and therefore in answer to that says: wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done ? has he attempted to take away thy life? to deprive thee of thy crown? to settle himself upon the throne? what overt act of treason has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:33

And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him ,.... So provoked to wrath was he by what he said. It seems by this that Saul always had a javelin or spear in his hand, which is to be accounted for by the custom of those times; in other countries, as well as in this, the kings used to carry spears in their hands instead of sceptres, and which they used as such; so Justin F8 E Trogo, l. 43. c. 3. , speaking of the times of Romulus, says, that kings in those times had spears, as an ensign of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:34

So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger ,.... Resenting his father's attempt to smite him, and his resolution to slay David: and did eat no meat the second day of the month ; not then at that meal he was just sat down to, nor at another time that day, his stomach was so full through indignation at his father, and grief for his friend David; and besides, being a mourner on the above accounts, he might not eat of the sacrifices: for he was grieved for David ; that his death... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:30

Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman - This clause is variously translated and understood. The Hebrew might be translated, Son of an unjust rebellion; that is, "Thou art a rebel against thy own father." The Vulgate, Fili mulieris virum ultro rapientis ; "Son of the woman who, of her own accord, forces the man." The Septuagint is equally curious, Υἱε κορασιων αυτομολουντων ; "Son of the damsels who came of their own accord." Were these the meaning of the Hebrew, then the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 20:34

Jonathan arose - in fierce anger - We should probably understand this rather of Jonathan's grief than of his anger, the latter clause explaining the former: for he was grieved for David. He was grieved for his father - he was grieved for his friend. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 20:30-31

Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman . Literally, "thou son of one perverse in rebellion." In the East it is the greatest possible insult to a man to call his mother names; but the word rendered perverse, instead of being a feminine adjective, is probably an abstract noun, and "son of perversity of rebellion" would mean one who was thoroughly perverse in his resistance to his father's will. Unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness. I.e. thy mother will feel ashamed and... read more

Group of Brands