I Samuel 20:24-31 · Bible study
1 Samuel 20:24-31 Commentary: The Empty Seat That Exposed a King’s Heart
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How the new moon feast becomes the setting for testing Saul’s intentions toward David, revealing murderous rage and Jonathan’s costly loyalty.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The new moon feast exposes Saul’s murderous intent and tests Jonathan’s loyalty, showing that hidden hostility will eventually surface.
- Key words: Nishʾal-nishʾal (H7592, “earnestly asked”), the doubled verb emphasizes David’s urgent request; ben-mavet (H4194, “son of death”), a Hebrew idiom for “doomed to die.”
- Main debate: Whether Jonathan’s explanation about David’s leave was fully truthful or an incomplete story. Commentators generally accept it as genuine, noting that David likely did attend the family sacrifice before hiding.
- Theological theme: God’s protection of His anointed through faithful friends, even when human power tries to thwart His plan.
- Best use: Preaching on the nature of true friendship, the cost of loyalty, and how God works in ordinary meals to expose hearts.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
24So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat.
25He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.
26Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.”
27But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?”
28Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem,
29saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he did not come to the king’s table.”
30Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the disgrace of the mother who bore you?
31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”
WEB World English Bible 2000
24So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon had come, the king sat himself down to eat food.
25The king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul didn’t say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean.”
27On the next day after the new moon, the second day, David’s place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why didn’t the son of Jesse come to eat, either yesterday, or today?”
28Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem.
29He said, ‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king’s table.”
30Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse rebellious woman, don’t I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!”
KJV King James Version 1769
24So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
25And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth–lehem:
29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.
30Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
24So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat food.
25And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side: but David’s place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27And it came to pass on the morrow after the new moon, which was the second day, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to-day?
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
29and he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favor in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he is not come unto the king’s table.
30Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and unto the shame of thy mother’s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
24And David is hidden in the field, and it is the new moon, and the king sitteth down by the food to eat,
25and the king sitteth on his seat, as time by time, on a seat by the wall, and Jonathan riseth, and Abner sitteth at the side of Saul, and David's place is looked after.
26And Saul hath not spoken anything on that day, for he said, `It is an accident; he is not clean--surely not clean.'
27And it cometh to pass on the second morrow of the new moon, that David's place is looked after, and Saul saith unto Jonathan his son, `Wherefore hath the son of Jesse not come in, either yesterday or to-day, unto the food?'
28And Jonathan answereth Saul, `David hath been earnestly asked of me unto Beth-Lehem,
29and he saith, Send me away, I pray thee, for a family sacrifice we have in the city, and my brother himself hath given command to me, and now, if I have found grace in thine eyes, let me go away, I pray thee, and see my brethren; therefore he hath not come unto the table of the king.'
30And the anger of Saul burneth against Jonathan, and he saith to him, `Son of a perverse rebellious woman! have I not known that thou art fixing on the son of Jesse to thy shame, and to the shame of the nakedness of thy mother?
31for all the days that the son of Jesse liveth on the ground thou art not established, thou and thy kingdom; and now, send and bring him unto me, for he is a son of death.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
24And David hid himself in the field; and it was the new moon, and the king sat at table to eat.
25And the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
26And Saul said nothing that day; for he thought, Something has befallen [him], that he is not clean: surely he is not clean.
27And it came to pass the next day after the new moon, the second [day of the month], as David's place was empty, that Saul said to Jonathan his son, Why has not the son of Jesse come to table, neither yesterday nor to-day?
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me [to go] to Bethlehem,
29and said, Let me go, I pray thee; for we have a family sacrifice in the city; and my brother himself has commanded me [to be there]; and now, if I have found favour in thy sight, let me go away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. He has therefore not come to the king's table.
30And Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, Son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame and to the shame of thy mother's nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. And now send and fetch him to me, for he must die.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
24So David was hid in the field, and the new moon came, and the king sat down to eat bread.
25And when the king sat down upon his chair, (according to custom) which was beside the wall, Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place appeared empty.
26And Saul said nothing that day, for he thought it might have happened to him, that he was not clean, nor purified.
27And when the second day after the new moon was come, David's place appeared empty again. And Saul said to Jonathan, his son: Why cometh not the son of Isai to meat neither yesterday, nor to day?
28And Jonathan answered Saul: He asked leave of me earnestly to go to Bethlehem.
29And he said: Let me go, for there is a solemn sacrifice in the city, one of my brethren hath sent for me: and now if I have found favour in thy eyes, I will go quickly, and see my brethren. For this cause he came not to the king's table.
30Then Saul being angry against Jonathan, said to him: Thou son of a woman that is the ravisher of a man, do I not know that thou lovest the son of Isai to thy own confusion, and to the confusion of thy shameless mother?
31For as long as the son of Isai liveth upon earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Therefore now presently send, and fetch him to me: for he is the son of death.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 20:24
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the new moon feast in these verses becomes the stage for a decisive exposure of Saul’s intentions toward David. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that the feast was a religious occasion, so David’s absence on the first day could reasonably be ascribed to ceremonial uncleanness (Leviticus 7:20-21). Keil and Delitzsch explain that Saul says nothing the first day, thinking something has happened to render David unclean. But when David is absent a second day, Saul’s suspicion surfaces, and he questions Jonathan. Matthew Henry observes that Jonathan’s explanation about a family sacrifice is truthful in content, yet it triggers Saul’s explosive anger. The insult Saul hurls at Jonathan, “son of a perverse rebellious woman”, is, according to Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the greatest insult in Oriental culture, implying that Jonathan inherits rebellion from his mother. All major readings agree: the empty chair forces Saul’s hidden hostility into the open, and Jonathan’s loyalty to David is confirmed at great personal cost.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal historical reading: The events occurred as narrated; Jonathan’s explanation is factually true; Saul’s insult is a genuine outburst.
- Skeptical reading of Jonathan’s motive: Some question whether Jonathan bent the truth, since the prearranged plan (v.5-10) involved David pretending to need leave, making the excuse a necessary ruse.
- Text-critical focus on the insult: The Hebrew phrase 'son of a perverse rebellious woman' is ambiguous—either an idiom for 'rebel' or a slur against Jonathan’s mother.
What is clear: David is hiding, Saul’s anger proves he intends to kill David, and Jonathan remains loyal to David despite personal danger.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Saul’s insult to Jonathan | All traditions agree the insult is a severe cultural reproach aimed at Jonathan through his mother. | Some commentators read it as a literal slur against Saul’s wife (so Adam Clarke and the Vulgate), while others treat it as an idiomatic expression meaning “son of rebellion” (Gill, K&D). |
| Jonathan’s excuse for David | Most accept that David genuinely asked to go to a family sacrifice and that Jonathan is reporting facts. | A minority view (reflected in some early readings) wonders if Jonathan was shading the truth to protect David, since the agreed plan involved hiding in the field (see v.35). |
| The new moon feast as a test | Christians across traditions see the feast as the God-ordained occasion for revealing Saul’s heart. | Some emphasize Saul’s free will and moral responsibility; others highlight God’s sovereign orchestration behind the scenes. |
| The meaning of David’s absence | David’s empty seat is the narrative focal point that drives the confrontation. | Catholic and Orthodox readings often connect this to the sacrificial nature of the feast and David’s typology as suffering servant; Protestant readings tend to focus on character and covenant loyalty. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The new moon festival (Hebrew ḥodesh) was a religious observance in ancient Israel, marked by special sacrifices and a communal meal (Numbers 28:11-15). The meat eaten came from peace offerings, so anyone with ceremonial uncleanness, such as contact with a corpse or a nocturnal emission, was excluded by law (Leviticus 7:20-21; 15:16). This explains why Saul initially dismisses David’s absence with the repeated thought, “He is not clean” (v.26). The seating arrangement described in verse 25 follows ancient Near Eastern protocol: the “seat by the wall” was the place of honour, reserved for the king. Jonathan rises when Abner enters, yielding his seat to his father’s cousin and army commander, a sign of respect and rank. Abner “sat by Saul’s side,” leaving David’s place conspicuously empty.
The two-day celebration of the new moon was a custom, not a law, as Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note; because the moon’s first appearance could be uncertain, the feast extended over a second day. Jonathan’s reply about a “family sacrifice” (v.29) refers to an annual clan gathering in Bethlehem, a practice the commentaries accept as genuine. Saul’s insult in verse 30, “son of a perverse rebellious woman”, is a stock Oriental curse that attacks the son through his mother. Barnes observes that “the greatest insult and most stinging reproach that can be cast upon an Oriental is to reproach his parents or ancestors.” Saul does not truly accuse his wife; he means to humiliate Jonathan beyond repair.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for 1 Samuel 20:24-31. The Hebrew text is stable across the major manuscripts. The doubled verb nishʾal-nishʾal (“earnestly asked”) in verse 28 is an infinitive absolute used for emphasis, and the phrase ben-mavet (“son of death”) in verse 31 is a standard Hebrew idiom. Some English versions (like the KJV) read “he shall surely die,” while others (YLT) literally render “he is a son of death,” but the underlying Hebrew is the same.
Reception History
Early Jewish tradition read this passage as a lesson in the danger of envy: the Talmud (Megillah 14b) notes that Saul’s hatred of David led him to violate the peace of the new moon feast. Christian interpreters from the patristic era onward have drawn on these verses to illustrate the nature of faithful friendship. Augustine, in expounding the Psalms, saw Jonathan as a type of Christ, one who mediates between a wrathful father and a threatened son, willing to bear insult for the sake of peace. Reformation-era commentators (Geneva Bible, Matthew Henry) emphasized the moral lesson: unbridled jealousy destroys the one who harbours it. In modern preaching, the passage is often used to discuss the cost of standing with the innocent against unjust authority, and to remind believers that God’s purposes advance even through tense family meals.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The empty seat as a test. David’s absence from the king’s table on a religious feast forces Saul to show his hand. The first day he hides behind a plausible reason (uncleanness). The second day his suspicion breaks into open hostility.
- Jonathan’s costly loyalty. Jonathan tells the truth about David’s request, but his honesty enrages Saul. Standing with David means standing against his own father’s authority.
- Saul’s heart exposed. Saul’s anger burns against Jonathan, not over David’s absence but over Jonathan’s allegiance. His insult and death sentence reveal a king consumed by jealousy and fear.
Five-point outline
- The setting. The new moon festival, a time of joy and worship, becomes a courtroom for Saul’s hidden hatred.
- The first day. Saul masks his suspicion by assuming David is unclean. Silence can hide evil, but only for a time.
- The second day. David’s continued absence forces Saul to ask. His question drips with contempt (he calls David “son of Jesse”).
- Jonathan’s defense. Jonathan speaks honestly and calmly. He does not lie; he simply reports David’s request. His composure contrasts with Saul’s rage.
- The explosion. Saul turns on Jonathan with a vicious insult and a direct command: “Send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!” The mask is off.
Illustration hooks
- When a key employee is absent from a board meeting, the boss’s reaction reveals more than the employee’s excuse ever could. A calm boss trusts; a suspicious one demands answers.
- A family dinner where one seat stays empty. The host’s comments about the missing person tell everyone present what he really thinks of them.
- An online group chat where someone’s silence prompts speculation. The way people interpret that silence often exposes their own biases and fears.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know when to speak honestly and when to speak carefully? Jonathan told the truth, yet it nearly cost him his life. Was he right to do so?
- Can a person’s true character be hidden indefinitely? Saul concealed his hatred for David behind religious propriety, but eventually his anger erupted. What does that teach us about hidden sin?
- How do I handle a leader or family member who turns hostile when challenged? The passage shows Jonathan neither flattering nor fighting his father, he remains faithful to God while suffering the consequences.
Leading a Discussion
This passage drops us into a tense family drama where religious ritual collides with political ambition. As you read 1 Samuel 20:24-31, pay attention to who speaks, who stays silent, and what the empty chair reveals. The new moon feast was supposed to be a time of communal joy; here it becomes a diagnostic tool for the human heart.
Discussion questions
- What do you notice about the seating arrangement and the specific mention of David’s vacant place? Why might the narrator give these details?
- Saul says nothing on the first day and assumes David is unclean. On the second day he asks Jonathan directly. What changes between day one and day two?
- Jonathan tells Saul the truth about David’s request to attend a family sacrifice. Do you think Jonathan’s answer was wise, or could he have handled it differently? What pressures was he under?
- Saul’s insult to Jonathan (v.30) is extremely harsh. What does that outburst reveal about Saul’s inner state? Why does he attack Jonathan instead of David?
- Saul declares David “a son of death” (v.31). How does this statement change the dynamics of the story? What options does it leave Jonathan?
- In what ways do we sometimes use polite excuses (like ritual uncleanness) to delay facing hard truths? How can we cultivate honesty when it’s costly?
- Where do you see God at work in this passage, even though His name doesn’t appear in these specific verses? How does the larger story of David’s anointing shape how you read this moment?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 50:16 | But to the wicked God says, “What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips, |
| Psalms 50:21 | You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes. |
| Proverbs 4:17 | For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. |
| Proverbs 15:17 | Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. |
| Proverbs 17:1 | Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. |
| Proverbs 21:3 | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. |
| Proverbs 21:27 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind! |
| Isaiah 1:11 | “What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says Yahweh. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke describes the seating arrangement at Saul's table, with Saul in the place of honor nearest the wall, and the family sacrifice as a festive meal where the animal was first offered to God. He then analyzes Saul's insult toward Jonathan, offering alternative translations and noting that such abusive language reveals the speaker's own mean and malevolent heart.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that Saul's comment about Jonathan being "not clean" is a deliberate insult rooted in the culture of the ancient Near East, where the greatest reproach is to attack a person's parentage. Saul is effectively calling Jonathan stubborn from birth, using ceremonial uncleanness as a cover for a personal attack.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary draws attention to the Hebrew idiom behind Saul's death sentence against David: "he is a son of death." The writer also explains that Saul's insult invoking Jonathan's mother was considered the gravest kind of Oriental offence, meant to shame the son beyond repair rather than to attack the mother herself.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill explains Saul's initial silence about David's absence by noting Jewish ceremonial law: Saul assumed David was unclean from a nocturnal emission and could not eat the peace offering. Only when David missed the second day did Saul suspect disloyalty, triggering his angry outburst against Jonathan.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Saul's insult, calling Jonathan the son of a perverse woman, follows an Eastern custom: attacking a parent is meant to inflict deeper shame on the child than any personal reproach. The principle is that a loyal son finds a slur against his mother more unbearable than an insult aimed at himself.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch explain the seating at Saul's table as a key to the scene: Jonathan gave up his place of honour to Abner, a gesture that highlights the tension. They also note that Saul's insult to Jonathan, calling him "son of a perverse woman," was actually a deliberate slur against Jonathan's mother, making the rebuke far more cutting.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights Jonathan's painful position between loyalty to David and obedience to his father the king. Saul's outburst, calling Jonathan a traitor and throwing a javelin at him, exposes the depths of his envy. Jonathan's grief and fasting show his righteous sorrow at his father's wickedness.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that David's absence from the feast was excused by ceremonial uncleanness, which typically lasted only a day. Saul's contemptuous taunt, calling David "son of Jesse" instead of his proper name, reveals his scorn for David's lowly origin. Saul implies that Jonathan's allegiance to such a man will bring shame upon him.