King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:41 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:41 in the King James Version says “And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bo...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.”

1 Samuel 20:41 · KJV

Context

39

But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

40

And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. artillery: Heb. instruments his lad: Heb. the lad that was his

41

And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

42

And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. forasmuch: or, the LORD be witness of that which etc

Read 1 Samuel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

The friends' tearful parting 'until David exceeded' shows depth of grief at separation. David's greater weeping reflected his greater loss - home, position, family, future. The threefold bowing and mutual kissing followed ancient protocols for emotional leave-taking. This poignant scene represents the cost of faithfulness: those who love deeply must sometimes part painfully.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Bowing three times indicated profound respect and honor. Kissing between men expressed deep affection in ancient Near Eastern culture. David's excessive weeping may reflect his greater uncertainty about the future.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you handle grief at partings that faithfulness requires?
  2. What does the depth of David's weeping teach about the emotional cost of following God's path?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
הַנַּעַר֮1 of 23

“And as soon as the lad”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

בָּא֒2 of 23

“was gone”

H935

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

דָּוִ֖ד3 of 23

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

קָ֚ם4 of 23

“arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

מֵאֵ֣צֶל5 of 23

“out of a place toward”

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

הַנֶּ֔גֶב6 of 23

“the south”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וַיִּפֹּ֨ל7 of 23

“and fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לְאַפָּ֥יו8 of 23

“on his face”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

אַ֛רְצָה9 of 23

“to the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ10 of 23

“and bowed”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

שָׁלֹ֣שׁ11 of 23

“himself three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

פְּעָמִ֑ים12 of 23

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

וַֽיִּשְּׁק֣וּ׀13 of 23

“and they kissed”

H5401

to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons

אִ֣ישׁ14 of 23

“one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת15 of 23
H853

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

רֵעֵ֔הוּ16 of 23

“another”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וַיִּבְכּוּ֙17 of 23

“and wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

אִ֣ישׁ18 of 23

“one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת19 of 23
H853

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

רֵעֵ֔הוּ20 of 23

“another”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

עַד21 of 23
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

דָּוִ֖ד22 of 23

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הִגְדִּֽיל׃23 of 23

“exceeded”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

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 20:41 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 20:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 29:111 Samuel 18:32 Samuel 19:392 Samuel 9:61 Samuel 10:1Acts 20:37

Places in This Verse

EzelSpecial Place · Modern: Jaba · 31.86°N, 35.26°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in 1 Samuel 20 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 20 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes