Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 20
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 20
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 20
"And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?" — 1 Samuel 20:1 (ASV)
While Saul was under the constraining influence of the spirit of prophecy, David escaped from Naioth and, probably by Samuel’s advice, returned to Saul’s court to commune with Jonathan. Nothing could be a better evidence of his innocence than putting himself in Jonathan’s power. Perhaps something passed between Samuel and Saul on the subject, since it appears from 1 Samuel 20:5, 25, and 27 that Saul expected David at the feast of the new moon.
"And he said unto him, Far from it; thou shalt not die: behold, my father doeth nothing either great or small, but that he discloseth it unto me; and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so." — 1 Samuel 20:2 (ASV)
It is not so - Jonathan’s unwillingness to believe evil of his father is one of the many admirable traits in his character.
"And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father knoweth well that I have found favor in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death." — 1 Samuel 20:3 (ASV)
And David swore moreover — Rather, “yet again.” He met Jonathan’s denial by repeating his statement and confirming it with an oath.
"And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to-morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even." — 1 Samuel 20:5 (ASV)
The new moon, or the beginning of each month, was celebrated with special sacrifices and the blowing of trumpets (as noted in the relevant scriptures). The feast was kept with great solemnity as “a day of gladness,” and we may presume that the “peace offerings” offered on the occasion furnished the tables of those who offered.
"And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the lovingkindness of Jehovah, that I die not; but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when Jehovah hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth." — 1 Samuel 20:14-15 (ASV)
The general meaning is this: Jonathan had an intuitive sense, doubtless from God, that David would be established on the throne. By God's mercy, he had the well-deserved comfort of knowing that his own descendants would receive kindness from David (see the marginal references).
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