5 And David saith unto Jonathan, 'Lo, the new moon 'is' to-morrow; and I do certainly sit with the king to eat; and thou hast sent me away, and I have been hidden in a field till the third evening; 6 if thy father at all look after me, and thou hast said, David asked earnestly of me to run to Beth-Lehem his city, for a sacrifice of the days 'is' there for all the family. 7 If thus he say: Good; peace 'is' for thy servant; and if it be very displeasing to him—know that the evil hath been determined by him; 8 and thou hast done kindness, to thy servant, for into a covenant of Jehovah thou hast brought thy servant with thee;—and if there is in me iniquity, put thou me to death; and unto thy father, why is this—thou dost bring me in?'
9 And Jonathan saith, 'Far be it from thee! for I certainly do not know that the evil hath been determined by my father to come upon thee, and I do not declare it to thee.' 10 And David saith unto Jonathan, 'Who doth declare to me? or what 'if' thy father doth answer thee sharply?' 11 And Jonathan saith unto David, 'Come, and we go out into the field;' and they go out both of them into the field. 12 And Jonathan saith unto David, 'Jehovah, God of Israel—when I search my father, about 'this' time to-morrow 'or' the third 'day', and lo, good 'is' towards David, and I do not then send unto thee, and have uncovered thine ear— 13 thus doth Jehovah do to Jonathan, and thus doth He add; when the evil concerning thee is good to my father, then I have uncovered thine ear, and sent thee away, and thou hast gone in peace, and Jehovah is with thee, as he was with my father; 14 and not only while I am alive dost thou do with me the kindness of Jehovah, and I die not, 15 but thou dost not cut off thy kindness from my house unto the age, nor in Jehovah's cutting off the enemies of David, each one from off the face of the ground.' 16 And Jonathan covenanteth with the house of David, and Jehovah hath sought 'it' from the hand of the enemies of David; 17 and Jonathan addeth to cause David to swear, because he loveth him, for with the love of his own soul he hath loved him. 18 And Jonathan saith to him, 'To-morrow 'is' new moon, and thou hast been looked after, for thy seat is looked after; 19 and on the third day thou dost certainly come down, and hast come in unto the place where thou wast hidden in the day of the work, and hast remained near the stone Ezel. 20 'And I shoot three of the arrows at the side, sending out for myself at a mark; 21 and lo, I send the youth: Go, find the arrows. If I at all say to the youth, Lo, the arrows 'are' on this side of thee—take them,—then come thou, for peace 'is' for thee, and there is nothing; Jehovah liveth. 22 And if thus I say to the young man, Lo, the arrows 'are' beyond thee,—go, for Jehovah hath sent thee away; 23 as to the thing which we have spoken, I and thou, lo, Jehovah 'is' between me and thee—unto the age.'
24 And David is hidden in the field, and it is the new moon, and the king sitteth down by the food to eat,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:5-24
Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:1-10
(Read 1 Samuel 20:1-10)
The trials David met with, prepared him for future advancement. Thus the Lord deals with those whom he prepares unto glory. He does not put them into immediate possession of the kingdom, but leads them to it through much tribulation, which he makes the means of fitting them for it. Let them not murmur at his gracious appointment, nor distrust his care; but let them look forward with joyful expectation to the crown which is laid up for them. Sometimes it appears to us that there is but a step between us and death; at all times it may be so, and we should prepare for the event. But though dangers appear most threatening, we cannot die till the purpose of God concerning us is accomplished; nor till we have served our generation according to his will, if we are believers. Jonathan generously offers David his services. This is true friendship. Thus Christ testifies his love to us, Ask, and it shall be done for you; and we must testify our love to him, by keeping his commandments.
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!
Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:24-34
(Read 1 Samuel 20:24-34)
None were more constant than David in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent, but self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In great peril present opportunities for Divine ordinances may be waved. But it is bad for us, except in case of necessity, to omit any opportunity of statedly attending on them. Jonathan did wisely and well for himself and family, to secure an interest in David, yet for this he is blamed. It is good to take God's people for our people. It will prove to our advantage at last, however it may now be thought against our interest. Saul was outrageous. What savage beasts, and worse, does anger make men!