Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Samuel 20:16-18

"So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, [saying], And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David`s enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jonathan said unto him, To-morrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty." — 1 Samuel 20:16-18 (ASV)

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jonathan said to David, Tomorrow is the new moon: and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

David was not a nobody; if he was away, he was missed. I wish that all attendants at the house of prayer would remember that, when they are away, they are missed.

Perhaps some of you have come tonight from some little chapel where you will be greatly missed. I am not going to thank you for coming here, because I am possibly unconsciously causing pain to your pastor, and I do not want to rob him of one of his sheep.

David's seat is empty tonight, and he will be missed.