1 samuel 20:27 - On the next day after the new moon, the second day, David’s place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why doesn’t the son of Jesse come to eat, either yesterday, or today?”

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 20:27

What does "1 samuel 20:27" mean?


This verse from 1 Samuel 20:27 is a pivotal moment in understanding the strained relationship between Saul, Jonathan, and David. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

Context is Key: To understand this verse, you need the context of the entire chapter. Jonathan has made a secret covenant with David to warn him if Saul intends to harm him. They've agreed that David will absent himself from the royal feast, and Jonathan will gauge Saul's reaction to see if he is still a threat.

"On the next day after the new moon, the second day, David’s place was empty." The annual new moon feast was a significant event. David's absence for two consecutive days raised immediate suspicions for Saul. David's place being empty means that he didn't attend the second day of the feast.

"Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why doesn’t the son of Jesse come to eat, either yesterday, or today?”"

"Son of Jesse" Saul uses this derogatory term to refer to David. By not calling him by his name or title (like "David, my son-in-law"), Saul is showing disrespect and possibly disdain. "Jesse" was David's father, so it was a way of diminishing David.
"Why doesn't...come to eat?" Saul is feigning ignorance, but he's clearly suspicious. He is testing Jonathan's loyalty and trying to gauge whether Jonathan knows where David is and why he is absent.

In essence, this verse reveals the following:

1. Saul's Suspicion: Saul is growing increasingly suspicious of David and is losing his patience with David's growing popularity. He no longer sees David as a loyal servant but as a potential threat to his throne.
2. Testing Jonathan: Saul is putting Jonathan in a difficult position. He is testing Jonathan's loyalty, forcing him to either lie and cover for David or betray David's whereabouts.
3. Growing Tension: The verse indicates the growing tension and animosity within the royal court and marks an escalation of Saul's pursuit of David, setting the stage for future events.

The response to Saul's question by Jonathan in the subsequent verses is crucial to understanding the depths of Saul's anger and intention to harm David, proving to David that he must flee for his life.