1 Samuel 20:28
1 Samuel 20:28 in Multiple Translations
Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem,
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
And answering Saul, Jonathan said, He made a request to me that he might go to Beth-lehem,
Jonathan answered, “David had to urgently ask my permission to go to Bethlehem.
And Ionathan answered vnto Saul, Dauid required of me, that he might goe to Beth-lehem.
And Jonathan answereth Saul, 'David hath been earnestly asked of me unto Beth-Lehem,
Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem.
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
And Jonathan answered Saul: He asked leave of me earnestly to go to Bethlehem,
Jonathan replied, “David earnestly requested me that I permit him to go to Bethlehem.
Jonathan answered, and he told a lie like this, “David kept on asking me to let him go to Bethlehem.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 20:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 20:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֥עַן
יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן
אֶת
שָׁא֑וּל
נִשְׁאֹ֨ל
נִשְׁאַ֥ל
דָּוִ֛ד
מֵ/עִמָּדִ֖/י
עַד
בֵּ֥ית
לָֽחֶם
וַ/יַּ֥עַן
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
Jonathan
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שָׁא֑וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
נִשְׁאֹ֨ל
shâʼal
H7592
to ask
V-Niphal-Ptc
נִשְׁאַ֥ל
shâʼal
H7592
to ask
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
דָּוִ֛ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
מֵ/עִמָּדִ֖/י
ʻimmâd
H5978
with me
Prep | Prep | Suff
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
בֵּ֥ית
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
Bethlehem
N-proper
לָֽחֶם
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
Bethlehem
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 20:28
וַ/יַּ֥עַן
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
"Jonathan"
N-proper
Jehonathan was a son of King Saul and a friend of David, meaning 'Jehovah has given'. He was also known as Jonathan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.13.3; son of: Shimeah (H8093); also called Jonathan at 2Sa.21.21; 1x27.32; Another name of yo.na.dav (יוֹנָדָב "Jonadab" H3122G) § Jonathan or Jehonathan = "Jehovah has given" 1) a son of king Saul and a friend of David 2) a son of the high priest Abiathar and the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear 3) a nephew of David who like David slew a giant of Gath 4) an uncle of David 5) one of David's mighty warriors 6) one of David's treasurers 7) a scribe in the time of Jeremiah 8) a Levite and father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall 9) a son or descendant of Gershom, the son of Moses, and a priest to the tribe of Dan 10) a son of Kareah and a brother of Johanan; a Judaite captain after the fall of Jerusalem 11) another Judaite father of Peleth 12) father of Ebed in the time of Ezra 13) son of Asahel in the time of Ezra 14) a priest of the family of Melicu in the time of Nehemiah 15) son of Joiada and his successor to the high priesthood in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: Jonathan. Compare H3129 (יוֹנָתָן). See also: 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 23:18; Jeremiah 37:15.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שָׁא֑וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
נִשְׁאֹ֨ל
shâʼal
H7592
"to ask"
V-Niphal-Ptc
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.
נִשְׁאַ֥ל
shâʼal
H7592
"to ask"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.
דָּוִ֛ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
מֵ/עִמָּדִ֖/י
ʻimmâd
H5978
"with me"
Prep | Prep | Suff
Means 'with me', showing accompaniment, like in Psalm 23:4 where David says God is with him even in difficult times.
Definition: with A grammatical form of im (עִם "with" H5973A) § 1) with
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: against, by, from, [phrase] me, [phrase] mine, of, [phrase] that I take, unto, upon, with(-in.) See also: Genesis 3:12; 1 Samuel 20:28; Psalms 23:4.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
בֵּ֥ית
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
"Bethlehem"
N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
לָֽחֶם
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
"Bethlehem"
N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 20:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
26Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.”
27But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?”
28Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem,
29saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.” 30Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 20:6 | If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’ |
1 Samuel 20:28 Summary
[In this verse, Jonathan is trying to protect his friend David from getting in trouble with King Saul. Jonathan tells Saul that David had to go to his hometown of Bethlehem for a family sacrifice, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:28-29. This shows that Jonathan is a loyal friend to David, similar to how we are called to love and care for one another in John 13:34-35. By covering for David, Jonathan is showing that he values their friendship and is willing to take a risk to help him, which is an important lesson for us about the importance of loyalty and friendship in our own lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jonathan give an excuse for David's absence?
Jonathan gave an excuse for David's absence to protect him from Saul's anger, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:28, and to buy David some time, which is similar to how Jesus taught his disciples to be wise as serpents in Matthew 10:16.
What was the significance of the New Moon festival in this context?
The New Moon festival was a significant event in the Israelite calendar, and David's absence from it was notable, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:27, and it is comparable to the importance of gathering for worship in Hebrews 10:25.
How did Jonathan's response reflect his relationship with David?
Jonathan's response in 1 Samuel 20:28 reflects his loyalty and friendship with David, which is reminiscent of the close friendship between David and Jonathan described in 1 Samuel 18:1-4 and the biblical teaching on the importance of loyalty in Proverbs 17:17.
What can we learn from Jonathan's actions in this verse?
We can learn from Jonathan's actions the importance of being a good friend and standing up for those we care about, even in difficult situations, as seen in 1 Samuel 20:28, and this is similar to the way Jesus stood up for his disciples in John 15:13-15.
Reflection Questions
- What would I do if I were in Jonathan's shoes, and how would I respond to Saul's questioning?
- How can I apply the principle of loyalty and friendship shown by Jonathan in my own relationships?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of being truthful and honest, even in difficult situations?
- How can I use this verse to reflect on my own relationships and consider how I can be a better friend to those around me?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:28
And Jonathan answered Saul,.... In reply to Saul's question, and to excuse David, he said, David earnestly asked [leave] of me [to go] to Bethlehem; his own city, his native place, where his family
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:28
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:28
1 Samuel 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked [leave] of me [to go] to Bethlehem:Ver. 28. To go to Bethlehem.]
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:28
18–42. This section is the Haphtarah for the New Moon when it falls on the first day of the week.