1 samuel 20:6 - If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’
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What does "1 samuel 20:6" mean?
This verse is part of a pre-arranged code between Jonathan and David. They are devising a plan to determine if Jonathan's father, King Saul, still intends to kill David. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"If your father misses me at all..." This sets the stage. Jonathan will observe his father's reaction to David's absence from the royal table.
"...then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city..." This is the fabricated reason for David's absence. It's a plausible excuse, playing on the idea that David would want to be with his family for an important annual religious event.
"...for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’" This adds credibility to the excuse. Bethlehem was David's hometown, and the annual sacrifice would be a significant event for his entire family, making his absence suspicious if he truly wasn't there.
In essence, the verse is a code. If Saul misses David and inquires about his whereabouts, Jonathan is to tell him this story. Saul's reaction to this excuse will be a key indicator of his true intentions towards David:
If Saul accepts the excuse, it will mean he no longer harbors murderous intent towards David (or at least is concealing it).
If Saul rejects the excuse angrily or expresses suspicion, it will confirm that he still wants David dead.
The entire plan relies on the assumption that Saul's true feelings will betray themselves in his reaction, allowing Jonathan to assess the danger David is in. It shows both the deep friendship between Jonathan and David and the perilous situation David faced under Saul's paranoia.
1 samuel 20:6 - If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’
What does "1 samuel 20:6" mean?
This verse is part of a pre-arranged code between Jonathan and David. They are devising a plan to determine if Jonathan's father, King Saul, still intends to kill David. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"If your father misses me at all..." This sets the stage. Jonathan will observe his father's reaction to David's absence from the royal table.
"...then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city..." This is the fabricated reason for David's absence. It's a plausible excuse, playing on the idea that David would want to be with his family for an important annual religious event.
"...for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’" This adds credibility to the excuse. Bethlehem was David's hometown, and the annual sacrifice would be a significant event for his entire family, making his absence suspicious if he truly wasn't there.
In essence, the verse is a code. If Saul misses David and inquires about his whereabouts, Jonathan is to tell him this story. Saul's reaction to this excuse will be a key indicator of his true intentions towards David:
If Saul accepts the excuse, it will mean he no longer harbors murderous intent towards David (or at least is concealing it).
If Saul rejects the excuse angrily or expresses suspicion, it will confirm that he still wants David dead.
The entire plan relies on the assumption that Saul's true feelings will betray themselves in his reaction, allowing Jonathan to assess the danger David is in. It shows both the deep friendship between Jonathan and David and the perilous situation David faced under Saul's paranoia.