King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:1 in the King James Version says “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and wha... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

1 Samuel 20:1 · KJV


Context

1

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

2

And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. shew: Heb. uncover mine ear

3

And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

David's anguished questions to Jonathan - 'What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin?' - express the bewilderment of the unjustly persecuted. The threefold query emphasizes his clear conscience before God and man. Fleeing 'from Naioth in Ramah' suggests the Spirit's protection was temporary, requiring renewed wisdom for the next step. Even after divine deliverance, discernment remains necessary.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David's questions follow ancient Near Eastern legal form for establishing innocence. The threefold repetition emphasizes completeness. His flight from Naioth indicates awareness that miraculous protection might not continue indefinitely.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you process the experience of unjust persecution while maintaining clear conscience?
  2. What does David's need for Jonathan's help after miraculous escape teach about ongoing dependence on godly friends?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּבְרַ֣ח1 of 20

fled

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

דָּוִ֔ד2 of 20

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִנָּוֹי֖ת3 of 20

from Naioth

H5121

navith, a place in palestine

בָּֽרָמָ֑ה4 of 20

in Ramah

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

וַיָּבֹ֞א5 of 20

and came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀6 of 20

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִפְנֵ֣י7 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֗ן8 of 20

Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

מֶ֤ה9 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙10 of 20

What have I done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מֶֽה11 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עֲוֹנִ֤י12 of 20

what is mine iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּמֶֽה13 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

חַטָּאתִי֙14 of 20

and what is my sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

לִפְנֵ֣י15 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אָבִ֔יךָ16 of 20

thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

כִּ֥י17 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ18 of 20

that he seeketh

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת19 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשִֽׁי׃20 of 20

my life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 20:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 20:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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