1 samuel 20:24 - So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon had come, the king sat himself down to eat food.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 20:24

What does "1 samuel 20:24" mean?


This verse sets the scene for a crucial moment in the story of David and Saul. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"So David hid himself in the field.": This refers to the arrangement David had made with Jonathan (Saul's son) in the preceding verses. David was fearful that Saul wanted to kill him because of Saul's increasing jealousy of David's popularity. To test Saul's intentions, David agreed to be absent from the new moon feast. If Saul asked about David's absence, Jonathan would gauge Saul's reaction and report back to David. Hiding in the field was David's way to stay out of sight while he waited for Jonathan's message.

"When the new moon had come...": The new moon was a significant occasion in ancient Israel, often marked by a feast and sacrifices. It was a time for people to come together and celebrate.

"...the king sat himself down to eat food.": This means Saul, the king, began the feast. The emphasis here is on Saul proceeding with the customary celebration despite David's absence. This sets the stage for the next verses, where Saul will notice David is missing and express his feelings about it.

In summary, this verse shows the beginning of the agreed-upon test. David is in hiding, and the feast begins without him, setting the stage for Saul's reaction and the revelation of his true intentions towards David.

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