Bible Commentary

1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20 — Overview

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

David fleeing from Naioth came to Jonathan, and acquainted him with his circumstances, and entreated his favour, 1Sa 20:1; which Jonathan promised, and renewed the covenant with him, 1Sa 20:9; a scheme was formed between them, by which David might know whether Saul was reconciled to him, and he might come to court, 1Sa 20:18; which being tried, Jonathan found it was not safe for him to appear, 1Sa 20:24; of which he gave notice by the signals agreed on, 1Sa 20:35; and they took their leave of one another with strong expressions of affection and attachment to each other, 1Sa 20:41.

Ver. 1. And David fled from Naioth in Ramah,.... While Saul was prophesying, or lay in a trance there:and came; to Gibeah, where Saul dwelt, and had his palace, and kept his court:and said before Jonathan; whom he found there, and for whose sake he thither fled to have his advice, and to use his interest with his father, and be his friend at court:what have I done?

what [is] mine iniquity? and what [is] my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? surely, as if he should say, I must have been guilty of some very great crime, and yet I am not sensible of it; canst thou tell me what it is that has so provoked thy father, that nothing will satisfy him but the taking away of my life, which he seeks to do?

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1 Samuel 20 — Overview1 Samuel 20 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleDavid, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to consider at last whether it may not be necessary for him to retire into the country and to take up arms in his own defence. But he will not do…1 Samuel 20 — Overview1 Samuel 20 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Samuel 20:1, David consults with Jonathan for his safety; 1 Samuel 20:11, Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath; 1 Samuel 20:18, Jonathan’s token to David; 1 Samuel 20:24, Saul, missing David, seeks to kill…1 Samuel 20:1-81 Samuel 20:1-8 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere, I. David makes a representation to Jonathan of his present troubles. While Saul lay bound by his trance at Naioth David escaped to the court, and got to speak with Jonathan. And it was happy for him that…1 Samuel 20:1-231 Samuel 20:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryJONATHAN ENDEAVOURS TO RECONCILE SAUL TO DAVID (1 Samuel 20:1-42.). EXPOSITION JONATHAN'S COVENANT WITH DAVID RENEWED (1 Samuel 20:1-23). 1 Samuel 20:1 David fled from Naioth. While Saul was under the influence of…1 Samuel 20:1-231 Samuel 20:1-23 · The Pulpit Commentary2. Its gentle expostulations and reproofs. When David said, "Thy father seeketh my life" (an expression often used in the Psalms), Jonathan reproved his distrust—"It is not so;" and only after a solemn oath could be…1 Samuel 20:11 Samuel 20:1 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledgefled: 1 Samuel 19:19-24, 1 Samuel 23:26-28; Psalms 124:6-8; 2 Peter 2:9 What have: 1 Samuel 12:3, 1 Samuel 24:11, 1 Samuel 24:17; Psalms 7:3-5, Psalms 18:20-24; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 John 3:21