1 Samuel 20:18
1 Samuel 20:18 in Multiple Translations
Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed if your seat is empty.
Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
Then Jonathan said unto him, To-morrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
Then Jonathan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and it will be seen that you are not present, for there will be no one in your seat.
Then Jonathan said to David, “The New Moon festival is tomorrow. You'll be missed, because your place will be empty.
Then said Ionathan to him, To morowe is the first day of the moneth: and thou shalt be looked for, for thy place shalbe emptie.
And Jonathan saith to him, 'To-morrow [is] new moon, and thou hast been looked after, for thy seat is looked after;
Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
Then Jonathan said to David, To-morrow is the new-moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
And Jonathan said to him: Tomorrow is the new moon, and thou wilt be missed:
Then Jonathan said, “Tomorrow we will celebrate the Festival of the New Moon. When you are not sitting at your place when we eat, my father will ◄miss you/see that you are not there►.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 20:18
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 20:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּֽאמֶר
ל֥/וֹ
יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן
מָחָ֣ר
חֹ֑דֶשׁ
וְ/נִפְקַ֕דְתָּ
כִּ֥י
יִפָּקֵ֖ד
מוֹשָׁבֶֽ/ךָ
וַ/יֹּֽאמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל֥/וֹ
Prep | Suff
יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
Jonathan
N-proper
מָחָ֣ר
mâchâr
H4279
tomorrow
N-ms
חֹ֑דֶשׁ
chôdesh
H2320
month
N-ms
וְ/נִפְקַ֕דְתָּ
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Niphal-2ms
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יִפָּקֵ֖ד
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
מוֹשָׁבֶֽ/ךָ
môwshâb
H4186
seat
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 20:18
וַ/יֹּֽאמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
ל֥/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
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.
מָחָ֣ר
mâchâr
H4279
"tomorrow"
N-ms
This word means tomorrow or a future time. In the Bible, it is used to talk about what will happen next, like in Exodus 13:14 where it refers to the next day.
Definition: 1) tomorrow, in time to come, in the future 1a) tomorrow (as the day following the present day) 1b) in future time
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: time to come, tomorrow. See also: Genesis 30:33; Judges 19:9; Proverbs 3:28.
חֹ֑דֶשׁ
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
N-ms
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
וְ/נִפְקַ֕דְתָּ
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Niphal-2ms
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יִפָּקֵ֖ד
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
מוֹשָׁבֶֽ/ךָ
môwshâb
H4186
"seat"
N-ms | Suff
A seat can refer to a physical place of sitting or a gathering of people, like an assembly. It can also mean a dwelling place or location, and is sometimes used to describe a group of people living together.
Definition: 1) seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers 1a) seat, sitting, those sitting, sitting company or assembly 1b) dwelling place, dwelling 1c) situation, location 1d) time of dwelling 1e) those dwelling, dweller
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning. See also: Genesis 10:30; 1 Samuel 20:25; Psalms 1:1.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 20:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 20:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:18
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 20:18
Context — Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.”
17And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.
18Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 20:25 | He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 20:5 | So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. Instead, let me go and hide in the field until the third evening from now. |
1 Samuel 20:18 Summary
This verse is about Jonathan warning David that he will be missed if he doesn't show up to the New Moon celebration. David had been hiding from King Saul, who was trying to hurt him, and Jonathan is trying to help his friend by giving him a heads up about the potential danger. This shows us the importance of having good friends who look out for us and try to help us, just like Jonathan did for David (Proverbs 17:17). It also reminds us that God can use our friends and loved ones to help us and protect us, even in difficult times (Psalm 37:24).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the New Moon in this verse?
The New Moon was a special day of worship and celebration in Israel, as seen in Numbers 10:10 and Psalm 104:19, and Jonathan is warning David that his absence will be noticed on this important day.
Why would David's empty seat be a problem?
As the son of Jesse, David had a special place at the king's table, and his absence would likely arouse suspicion, especially given the tense relationship between David and King Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:8-11.
Is Jonathan trying to help David or hurt him?
Jonathan is trying to help David by warning him of the potential danger of being missed, as seen in the context of their conversation in 1 Samuel 20:16-17, where Jonathan makes a covenant with David and reaffirms his love for him.
What can we learn from Jonathan's actions in this verse?
We can learn about the importance of loyalty and friendship, as Jonathan is willing to risk his own relationship with his father, King Saul, to help and protect David, demonstrating the kind of selfless love described in John 15:13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can show loyalty and friendship to those around me, just like Jonathan did for David?
- How can I be more aware of the potential dangers or challenges that my friends or loved ones may be facing, and how can I help them?
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like I needed to hide or escape from a difficult situation, and how did God provide for me or protect me during those times?
- How can I trust God to provide for me and protect me, even when I feel like I am in a difficult or dangerous situation, just like David did in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 20:18
Then Jonathan said to David, tomorrow [is] the new moon,.... The first day of the month, as David had before observed, 1 Samuel 20:5; and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty; or be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 20:18
Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. Tomorrow is the new moon , [ chodesh (H2320)].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
Thy seat, i.e. the place where David used to sit at meals with Saul. See .
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
1 Samuel 20:18 Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow [is] the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.Ver. 18. Tomorrow is the new moon.]
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 20:18
(18) Thou shalt be missed.—Well then, resumes Jonathan—after the passionate conclusion of the solemn covenant betwixt the friends—the last trial shall be as you propose. At the State banquet of my father tomorrow your seat, as agreed upon, will be empty, then you and I—when King Saul misses you—will know the worst.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 20:18
18–42. This section is the Haphtarah for the New Moon when it falls on the first day of the week.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 20:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Thou Shalt Be Missed, Because Thy Seat by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of presence in both family and church settings, using the example of David's empty seat to illustrate the void left by those who are absent. |