King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:5 in the King James Version says “And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

1 Samuel 20:5 · KJV


Context

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.

4

Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. Whatsoever: or, Say what is thy mind and I will do, etc desireth: Heb. speaketh, or, thinketh

5

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

6

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. sacrifice: or, feast

7

If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

David's plan leveraged the New Moon feast (rosh chodesh) as test of Saul's intentions. His obligation to 'sit with the king at meat' was formal court protocol; absence would be noticed. The phrase 'hide myself in the field' shows David's continued fear despite Jonathan's assurances. The 'third day' allowed time for Saul's response to develop fully. Prudent planning combined with trust in God - David did not presume on past deliverances but prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

New Moon festivals were observed with special sacrifices and feasts (Numbers 28:11-15). Court officials were expected to attend royal feasts. The three-day period provided sufficient time to assess Saul's response. David's planned hiding place would later become the location for Jonathan's arrow signal.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance trusting God with making prudent preparations for danger?
  2. What does David's strategic planning teach about faithful wisdom in threatening situations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֜ד2 of 19

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֗ן4 of 19

unto Jonathan

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

הִֽנֵּה5 of 19
H2009

lo!

חֹ֙דֶשׁ֙6 of 19

is the new moon

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

מָחָ֔ר7 of 19

Behold to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

וְאָֽנֹכִ֛י8 of 19
H595

i

אֵשֵׁ֥ב9 of 19

and I should not fail

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אֵשֵׁ֥ב10 of 19

and I should not fail

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עִם11 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ12 of 19

with the king

H4428

a king

לֶֽאֱכ֑וֹל13 of 19

at meat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְשִׁלַּחְתַּ֙נִי֙14 of 19

but let me go

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְנִסְתַּרְתִּ֣י15 of 19

that I may hide

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

בַשָּׂדֶ֔ה16 of 19

myself in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

עַ֖ד17 of 19
H5704

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

הָעֶ֥רֶב18 of 19

day at even

H6153

dusk

הַשְּׁלִשִֽׁית׃19 of 19

unto the third

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)


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 20:5 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 20:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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