18 Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
18 Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
18 Jonathan then laid out his plan: "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you'll be missed when you don't show up for dinner.
18 Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
18 Then Jonathan said, "Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. You will be missed when your place at the table is empty.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:11-23
(Read 1 Samuel 20:11-23)
Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners! how great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to him, to his cause, and his people!