1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20:1

DAvid fled] That is, whilst Saul being distracted in his propheticall extasie a day and night, minded him not, to apprehended or kill him.

came] That is, to Gibeah of Saul, where Jonathan resided, as his fathers lieutenant.

1 Samuel 20:2

God forbid] To wit, that my father should seek thy life.

shew it me] Hebr. uncover mine ear.

1 Samuel 20:3

a step] That is, I am in extreme and imminent danger of death.

1 Samuel 20:4

Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee] Or, Say what is thy minde, and I will do, &c.

desireth] Hebr. speaketh, or, thinketh.

1 Samuel 20:5

new moon] On which they used to offer oblations of thanksgiving, and afterwards feasted together, Numbers 10:10. Psalms 81:3.

let me go] Give me leave to go, seeing in your fathers absence you have power to do it, that I may keep the feast of the new moon with my kinred at Bethlehem, and on the third day I will come and hide my self in the field, verse 6, 19, 35.

1 Samuel 20:6

his city] That is, in which he was born, John 7:42. So Genesis 23:10. 24. 10.

sacrifice] Or, feast. Accompanied with a feast. See Chap. 9. 12.

1 Samuel 20:7

that evil is] That is, that be is resolved to ruine me.

1 Samuel 20:8

kindely] To wit, in giving me timely warning.

thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord] Chap. 18. 3. and 23. 18. That is, made between us by oath in Gods presence.

slay me] Seeing if I have deserved it, you have power to do it.

to thy father] To wit, to be killed by him.

1 Samuel 20:9

from thee] To wit, that thou shouldest be killed by me, being innocent.

1 Samuel 20:10

tell me] That is, what thy father speaketh, good or evil, towards me, seeing thou canst hardly come to me thy self without suspition, nor entrust such a secret to a servant.

1 Samuel 20:12

O Lord God] He calleth upon God to be witnesse of his fidelity and truth, in discovering to David how his father stood affected towards him, either-well or ill.

sounded] Hebr. searched.

shew it thee] Hebr. uncover thine ear.

1 Samuel 20:13

The Lord do so] See Ruth 1 17.

if it please] That is, if my father be resolved.

hath been] When he raised him to the kingdom, and hath given many famous victories.

1 Samuel 20:14

And thou shalt] To wit, when God shall have made thee king, after my fathers death; so that Jonathan submitteth to Gods will, though by descent he was next heir to the crown.

of the Lord] That is, great kindnesse to me and my posterity, which thou hast promised in Gods presence.

1 Samuel 20:15

from my house] That is, posterity and family.

1 Samuel 20:16

made a covenant] Heb. cut. That is, renewed and ratified the covenant made before with him, Chap. 18. 3.

require it] That is, revenge it, Genesis 9:5.

Davids enemies] And so of my self among the rest; if I discover my self to be one of them, by being perfidious in breaking promise, and not revealing my fathers purpose against David.

1 Samuel 20:17

to swear again] To wit, that he would shew kindenesse to him and his posterity, when he came to be king.

because he loved him] Or, by his love towards him.

1 Samuel 20:18

empty] Heb. missed.

1 Samuel 20:19

quickly] Or, diligently. Heb. greatly.

and come] To wit, from Bethelem.

when the businesse] Heb. in the day of the businesse; That is, when I made intercession for thee to my father, Chap. 19. 2.

stone Ezel] Or, that sheweth the way; Either which stood in crosse wayes, shewing travellers which way to take, or where Jonathan and David used to meet, when they meant to have private and secret conference.

1 Samuel 20:20

I will shoot] That is, this shall be the token between thee and me, whereby I will shew thee what thou shalt do, as thou diddest desire, vers. 10. if I cannot with conveniency, and unseen, come to speak with thee.

1 Samuel 20:21

no hurt] Heb. not any thing.

1 Samuel 20:22

go thy way] That is, come not a court, but shift for thy self by going further off.

1 Samuel 20:23

be between] As a just judge and witnesse of our covenant, vers. 42.

1 Samuel 20:25

Jonathan arose] To wit, that he might honour Abner in giving him place; or he left his place to his father being present, which in his absence he used to sit in as his vicegerent.

Abner saie] Being the kings unkle and captain generall.

1 Samuel 20:26

not clean] And therefore cometh not to the feast, because the law forbiddeth it, Levit. 7. 19, 20. 11. 24. 15. 16.

1 Samuel 20:27

of Jesse] That is, David, whom he thus calleth in contempt. So Nabal, Chap. 25. 10.

1 Samuel 20:29

a sacrifice] See Chap. 9. 12.

my brother] To wit, being appointed by my father.

1 Samuel 20:30

Thou son] Or, Thou perverse rebell. Heb. Son of perverse rebellion. Not my son, but a rebell, resisting my known will, not lawfully begotten by me, but some stranger, and born of a mother rebellious like thy self.

own confusion] Seeing he will deprive thee of the Kingdom.

of thy mothers] Either because thou causest her by thy carriage to be suspected of dishonesty, or because thou doest deprive her of her due honour in having a king for her son.

1 Samuel 20:31

shall surely die] Hb. is the son of death.

1 Samuel 20:34

was grieved] To wit, because that his fathers wrath against him was implacable, though he were innocent.

shame] By his reproaches, and casting his javelin at him, thereby shewing that he was resolved to kill David.

1 Samuel 20:36

beyond him] Heb. to passe over him.

1 Samuel 20:40

artillery] Heb. instruments.

his lad] Heb. that was his.

Go] He sends him away, that he might the more freely and secretly talk with David.

1 Samuel 20:41

David] Now seeing the coast clear, and none in sight that might discover them.

the south] That is, the south-side of the field, or of the stone where David had hidden himself.

1 Samuel 20:42

forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the Name of the Lord] Or, the LORD be witnesse of that which, &c.

between me] To blesse and protect us, and to preserve this love and friendship for ever amongst us, which we have ratified by covenant before him.

the city] That is, Gibeah-Saul whre Jonathan had his court and residence, Chap. 23. 18, 19.