1 Samuel 20:19

Verse

When you have stayed three days, hurry down to the place you hid on the day this trouble began, and remain beside the stone Ezel.

American Standard Version (1901)

And when thou hast stayed three days, thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

Bible in Basic English

And on the third day it will be specially noted, and you will go to the place where you took cover when the other business was in hand, waiting by the hill over there.

Free Bible Version

In three days time, go quickly to where you hid when all this started, and stay there beside the pile of stones.

King James (Authorized) Version

And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

Translation for Translators

The day after tomorrow, in the evening, go to the place where you hid before. Wait by the pile of stones.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when the business was in hand, and stay by the stone Ezel.

Noah Webster Bible

And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand , and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

World English Bible

When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel.

Young's Literal Translation

and on the third day thou dost certainly come down, and hast come in unto the place where thou wast hidden in the day of the work, and hast remained near the stone Ezel.

Context

Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant

¹⁸Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed if your seat is empty. ¹⁹When you have stayed three days, hurry down to the place you hid on the day this trouble began, and remain beside the stone Ezel.²⁰I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as if I were aiming at a target.

Summary

In this verse, Jonathan devises a plan to inform David of King Saul's intentions to harm him. Jonathan's loyalty and friendship towards David are evident as he seeks to protect him from danger. This passage showcases the deep bond between Jonathan and David, highlighting the importance of trust and support in relationships. It also reveals the political intrigue and tension within the royal family during this time in Israel's history. Ultimately, Jonathan's actions demonstrate courage and selflessness in risking his own safety to warn and help his friend.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

when thou hast stayed three days--either with your family at Beth-lehem, or wherever you find it convenient. come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand--Hebrew, "in the day," or "time of the business," when the same matter was under inquiry formerly (Sa1 19:22). remain by the stone Ezel--Hebrew, "the stone of the way"; a sort of milestone which directed travellers. He was to conceal himself in some cave or hiding-place near that spot.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when thou hast stayed three days,.... From court, either at Bethlehem, which seems most probable, or in some other place incognito; however, not in the field he proposed to hide himself in, where he could not continue so long for want of food: then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself; which makes it clear that he did not continue there during that time, but went elsewhere; from whence he was to come in haste at the expiration of three days, to the place he first hid himself in, and which was fixed upon to meet at: when the business was in hand; when the affair was discoursed of, about getting knowledge how Saul was affected to David, and of informing him of it; or "on the day of work" (x); or business, on a working day, as the Septuagint; and so the Targum, on a common day; when, as the Vulgate Latin, it was lawful to work on it; and such was the day when Jonathan and David conversed together about the above affair; it being the day before the new moon, or first day of the month, on which day they used not to work: Some render it, "thou shalt three times go down" (y) to that place; and the sense is, that he should come on the morrow, and if he found not Jonathan there, he might conclude that as yet he knew nothing of his father's mind, and therefore should come the day following that; and if he found him not then, to come on the third day, that so he might be on the spot, let him come on which day he would: and shalt remain by the stone Ezel; which, because it signifies "going", the Jewish commentators generally understand it as a sign to direct travellers which way to go; but one would think this should be an improper place for David to be near, since it must be where two or more ways met, and so a public frequented place; others think therefore it had its name from David and Jonathan often going thither, to discourse with each other; the Septuagint calls it Ergab; and so the place where Jonathan, the son of Saul, exercised himself by shooting darts, is called by Jerom (z); it is said by Josephus (a) to be an hundred fifty furlongs (about nineteen miles), from Jerusalem, and from Jordan sixty, (about eight miles). (x) "in die operis", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "die profesto", Tigurine version. (y) "tertiabis, descendes valde", Montanus; "descendes ter, vel tertiabis descendere", Castalio; so Patrick. (z) De loc. Heb. fol. 91. C. (a) Apud Adrichem. Theatrum T. S. p. 17.