King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 20:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 20:6 in the King James Version says “If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for t... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 20:6 · KJV


Context

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.

8

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

The prepared excuse - David's attendance at a 'yearly sacrifice' in Bethlehem - used religious obligation to explain absence. Such family sacrifices were legitimate obligations, making the cover story plausible. Jonathan would claim David had 'earnestly asked' (nish'ol nish'al) - intensive Hebrew emphasizing repeated, passionate request. The statement was literally true: David did need to be elsewhere. Yet the stated reason concealed the actual purpose. While Scripture records without condemning, the episode shows how Saul's violence forced others into deception for survival.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Family sacrifices at ancestral locations were regular religious observances. Jesse's family in Bethlehem would have held such gatherings annually. Permission to attend family religious obligations was normally granted to court servants. The story exploited Saul's potential religious scruples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you evaluate the ethics of protective deception in life-threatening situations?
  2. What does this passage reveal about how one person's violence corrupts the moral choices of others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אִם1 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִפְקְדֵ֖נִי2 of 19

at all

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יִפְקְדֵ֖נִי3 of 19

at all

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אָבִ֑יךָ4 of 19

If thy father

H1

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

וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֗5 of 19

me then say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נִשְׁאַ֨ל6 of 19

asked

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

נִשְׁאַ֨ל7 of 19

asked

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

מִמֶּ֤נִּי8 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

דָוִד֙9 of 19

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לָרוּץ֙10 of 19

leave of me that he might run

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

בֵּֽית11 of 19
H0
לֶ֣חֶם12 of 19

to Bethlehem

H1035

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

עִיר֔וֹ13 of 19

his city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

כִּ֣י14 of 19
H3588

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

זֶ֧בַח15 of 19

sacrifice

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הַיָּמִ֛ים16 of 19

for there is a yearly

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שָׁ֖ם17 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְכָל18 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמִּשְׁפָּחָֽה׃19 of 19

there for all the family

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people


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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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