1 Samuel 20
DOYLY1 Samuel 20:8
- — for thou hast brought thy servant] It was at Jonathan’s instigation that they first made a solemn covenant of mutual friendship before God. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 20:14
- — the kindness of the Lord,] The kindness covenanted between us before the Lord. Dr. Wells.
1 Samuel 20:15
- — thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house] Jonathan’s submission to the will of God in the designation of David for the throne, as it prompted him to see, so it entitled him to ask for, the benefits attending his advancement: and, finding that God had transferred the protection to other hands, he shewed that obedience to his heavenly Ruler, and that generous care
for his own posterity, to seek protection where God had placed it. Dr. H. Stebbing.
From what passed between Jonathan and David, it appears that Jonathan was persuaded David would one day sit upon the throne, and yet he was not in the least jealous of him, because he knew it was the will of God. These sentiments of Jonathan express the greatness of his soul, and give proof of his piety. True and solid friendship is founded upon virtue; and, instead of being jealous of the advantages of our friends, makes their happiness our joy and satisfaction. Ostervald. How tender a sense had Jonathan of that friendship which he thus wishes to perpetuate! How unspeakable a generosity to stipulate for his own life with that man whose life was then absolutely in his power, interceding that his children might not be considered as enemies to him; concluding with that remarkable and undistinguishing imprecation, “Let the Lord require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” Dr. Delaney.
Saul, missing David, seeketh to kill Jonathan. Before CHRIST about 1062. beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.
1 Samuel 20:23
- — the Lord be between thee and me] As a witness and avenger, if we keep not the covenant we have made of perpetual friendship. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 20:25
- — upon a seat by the wall.] It is conjectured from this expression, that the table was in a half circle, and that Saul’s seat was in the middle, which in the nature of things was next to the wall. Dr. Delaney.
— and David’s place was empty.] It may seem a little strange that Saul, who had so often endeavoured to kill David, should ever expect to see him at his table any more: but perhaps he thought that David might be disposed to overlook all that had passed, as the effect of his frenzy and melancholy, and to consider him now as returned to a sound mind: also, that because David had ventured into his presence again, after the first javelin was thrown at him, he might for the future be guilty of the same indiscretion. Calmet.
1 Samuel 20:26
- — he is not clean;] He thought that he had fallen into some legal uncleanness, which prevented him from appearing. Pyle.
1 Samuel 20:30
- — Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman,] The Hebrew should rather be rendered, Thou son of per-
verse rebellion; that is, Thou most perverse rebel. Bp. Patrick. — unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?]
For the world would think that he was not the son of Saul, because he loved so greatly a person whom Saul thoroughly haird. Bp. Patrick. Or the meaning is, This thy favour to David will be to thy own wrong and shame, by depriving thee of the kingdom, as if thou wert base-born: and to the shame of thy mother, who will by this act be proclaimed an adulteress, and a dishonour of my bed. Bp. Hall.
1 Samuel 20:33
- And Saul cast a javelin at him] If it be asked, How it came to pass, that Saul had always a javelin in his hand (on this and other occasions) to execute his evil purposes? the answer is, that spears were frequently the sceptres of those ages, which kings always carried in their hands. Stackhouse. By his spear is to be understood his sceptre, according to the phrase of those times. Justin says of the early Romans, that their kings had spears or javelins for signs of royal authority; and Pausanias says, that the kings of Argos called their sceptres, spears. Bp. Patrick.
Jonathan taketh leave of David. David obtaineth hallowed bread. Before CHRIST about 1062. testicularis. was his. LORD be witness of that which, &c.
1 Samuel 20:40
- — his artillery] His weapons, his bow and arrows. Dr. Wells.
1 Samuel 20:41
- — a place towards the south.] Probably on the south of the stone Ezel before mentioned. — until David exceeded.] Proceeded to an excess of grief, being about to become an exile from his friend,
his wife, his kindred, and people, and the sacred solemnities of his religion. Bp. Patrick.
We may readily pronounce, that it was the sense, not of his own distress, but of Jonathan’s generosity, which now overwhelmed David. He was leaving, perhaps taking his last leave of, that man, who though he knew David stood between him and the throne, yet had often saved his life, and was now just come from saving it again, at the imminent hazard of his own. And how
was he leaving this invaluable friend? He was leaving him to the rage of a furious incensed father, who
would not fail to destroy him for the very kindness he
was then shewing David, if it ever came to his knowledge. Jonathan was too delicate and too generous not
to see all the movements of David’s heart on this distressful occasion; and seeing them, he repressed his
own grief, for fear of sinking his friend too much by excess of tenderness. This made him conclude the conference in that religious and calm manner recorded in the next verse, “Go in peace, forasmuch as &c.” Dr. Delaney. Chap. XXI. ver. 1. — to Nob] A city in the tribe of Benjamin, one of the cities assigned to the priests, as appears from chap. xxii. 19, also from Nebem. xi. 32, where we find it reckoned among the Levitical cities. Dr. Wells. — Ahimelech the priest:] The high priest. David intended perhaps, by coming to him, to recommend David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?