1 samuel 20:18 - Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 samuel 20:18" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 20:18, is part of a plan Jonathan is devising to help David determine if Saul (Jonathan's father and the king) still intends to kill him. Let's break down what it means:
"Then Jonathan said to him": This establishes that Jonathan is speaking to David. They are in the midst of a secret conversation.
"Tomorrow is the new moon": The new moon was a significant occasion in ancient Israel. It was marked by sacrifices and a feast. The king, Saul, was expected to attend the feast, along with his family and important officials.
"and you will be missed": Jonathan is telling David that his absence at the new moon feast will be noticed. David was a prominent figure in Saul's court, known for his military prowess and popularity. His presence at such an event was expected.
"because your seat will be empty": This is the key part. It's not just that David is absent, but that his specific seat at the table will be visibly unoccupied. This emphasizes that his absence is deliberate and that someone is bound to ask where he is.
In essence, the verse means:
Jonathan is explaining to David that the New Moon festival is tomorrow, and David's absence from the feast will be conspicuous and will inevitably raise questions. This provides Jonathan with a way to gauge Saul's true feelings toward David. If Saul gets angry and demands to know where David is, it will be a clear sign that he still harbors murderous intentions. If Saul makes excuses for David or doesn't seem overly concerned, it might suggest a change of heart (or at least a temporary reprieve).
Why is this important?
David is in hiding because Saul is jealous of his popularity and fears he will take the throne. Jonathan, who loves David dearly, is trying to discern if Saul's anger has subsided or if David is still in mortal danger. Jonathan is setting up a test: he will observe Saul's reaction to David's absence at the feast. Based on Saul's reaction, Jonathan will send a prearranged signal to David, letting him know whether it is safe to return or whether he must remain in hiding.
1 samuel 20:18 - Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
What does "1 samuel 20:18" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 20:18, is part of a plan Jonathan is devising to help David determine if Saul (Jonathan's father and the king) still intends to kill him. Let's break down what it means:
"Then Jonathan said to him": This establishes that Jonathan is speaking to David. They are in the midst of a secret conversation.
"Tomorrow is the new moon": The new moon was a significant occasion in ancient Israel. It was marked by sacrifices and a feast. The king, Saul, was expected to attend the feast, along with his family and important officials.
"and you will be missed": Jonathan is telling David that his absence at the new moon feast will be noticed. David was a prominent figure in Saul's court, known for his military prowess and popularity. His presence at such an event was expected.
"because your seat will be empty": This is the key part. It's not just that David is absent, but that his specific seat at the table will be visibly unoccupied. This emphasizes that his absence is deliberate and that someone is bound to ask where he is.
In essence, the verse means:
Jonathan is explaining to David that the New Moon festival is tomorrow, and David's absence from the feast will be conspicuous and will inevitably raise questions. This provides Jonathan with a way to gauge Saul's true feelings toward David. If Saul gets angry and demands to know where David is, it will be a clear sign that he still harbors murderous intentions. If Saul makes excuses for David or doesn't seem overly concerned, it might suggest a change of heart (or at least a temporary reprieve).
Why is this important?
David is in hiding because Saul is jealous of his popularity and fears he will take the throne. Jonathan, who loves David dearly, is trying to discern if Saul's anger has subsided or if David is still in mortal danger. Jonathan is setting up a test: he will observe Saul's reaction to David's absence at the feast. Based on Saul's reaction, Jonathan will send a prearranged signal to David, letting him know whether it is safe to return or whether he must remain in hiding.