1Sa 20:1-10 | Clarke | STEP | David complains to Jonathan of Saul's enmity against him; Jonathan comforts him, . They walk out into the field, and renew their covenant, . David asks Jonathan's leave to absent himself from Saul's court; and Jonathan informs him how he shall ascertain the disposition of his father towards him, . David hides himself; is missed by Saul; Jonathan is questioned concerning his absence; makes an excuse for David; Saul is enraged, and endeavors to kill Jonathan, . Jonathan goes out to the field; gives David the sign which they had agreed on, and by which he was to know that the king had determined to take away his life, . He sends his servant back into the city; and then he and David meet, renew their covenant, and have a very affectionate parting, . Verse 1 David fled from Naioth - On hearing that Saul had come to that place, knowing that he was no longer in safety, he fled for his life.

1 Samuel 20:1-10

Introduction

David complains to Jonathan of Saul's enmity against him; Jonathan comforts him, 1Sam 20:1-10. They walk out into the field, and renew their covenant, 1Sam 20:11-17. David asks Jonathan's leave to absent himself from Saul's court; and Jonathan informs him how he shall ascertain the disposition of his father towards him, 1Sam 20:18-23. David hides himself; is missed by Saul; Jonathan is questioned concerning his absence; makes an excuse for David; Saul is enraged, and endeavors to kill Jonathan, 1Sam 20:24-33. Jonathan goes out to the field; gives David the sign which they had agreed on, and by which he was to know that the king had determined to take away his life, 1Sam 20:34-39. He sends his servant back into the city; and then he and David meet, renew their covenant, and have a very affectionate parting, 1Sam 20:40-42.

Verse 1

David fled from Naioth - On hearing that Saul had come to that place, knowing that he was no longer in safety, he fled for his life. Verse 2

My father will do nothing - Jonathan thought that his father could have no evil design against David, because of the oath which he had sworn to himself 1Sam 19:6; and at any rate, that he would do nothing against David without informing him. Verse 3

There is but a step between me and death - My life is in the most imminent danger. Your father has, most assuredly, determined to destroy me.

The same figure used here, there is but a step between me and death, may be found in Juvenal, who, satirizing those who risk their lives for the sake of gain in perilous voyages, speaks thus: -

I nune et ventis animam committe, dolato

Confisus ligno, digitis a morte remotus

Quatuor aut septem, si sit latissima teda.

Sat. xii., ver. 57. "Go now, and commit thy life to the winds, trusting to a hewn plank, four or seven fingers thick, if the beam out of which it has been cut have been large enough." Verse 5

To-morrow is the new moon - The months of the Hebrews were lunar months, and they reckoned from new moon to new moon. And as their other feasts, particularly the passover, were reckoned according to this, they were very scrupulous in observing the first appearance of each new moon. On these new moons they offered sacrifices, and had a feast; as we learn from Num 10:10; Num 28:11. And we may suppose that the families, on such occasions, sacrificed and feasted together. To this David seems to refer; but the gathering together all the families of a whole tribe seems to have taken place only once in the year. There is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family, 1Sam 20:6. Verse 8

If there be in me iniquity - If thou seest that I am plotting either against the state, or the life of thy father, then slay me thyself. Verse 10

Who shall tell me? - Who shall give me the necessary information? What means wilt thou use to convey this intelligence to me?