John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"And it came to pass on the morrow after the new moon, [which was] the second [day], that David`s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to-day?" — 1 Samuel 20:27 (ASV)
And it came to pass on the morrow, [which was] the second
[day] of the month
The Targum is, ``and it was on the day after it, which was the intercalation of the second month;'' when the beginning of the month was judged of by the appearance of the moon, and there was a difficulty about that, what day it appeared on, two days were kept for it; and Abarbinel F5 is clear for it, that two days were kept in this month; but if this was not the case, since the remainder of peace offerings might be eaten the next day, (Leviticus 7:16) . Saul and his guests might meet on the second day for that purpose:
that David's place was empty :
on that day also:
and Saul said to Jonathan his son ;
who he knew was David's friend and confident, and could give the best account of him:
wherefore comes not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday nor
today ;
he accounted for his not coming yesterday, because he supposed he might be under some ceremonial uncleanness; but then that only lasted to the evening of that day; but not coming the second day when he was clean, he inquires after him; and not owning him for his son-in-law, by way of contempt, and to lessen him in the esteem of all at table, he calls him the son of Jesse.