Add parallel Print Page Options

24 So David hid in the open country.

David’s Absence. On the day of the new moon, when the king sat down at the feast to dine, 25 he took his usual place against the wall. Jonathan sat facing him, while Abner sat at the king’s side. David’s place was vacant. 26 (A)Saul, however, said nothing that day, for he thought, “He must have become unclean by accident.”[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 20:26 The meal on the first day of the month would have had religious overtones, and a ritual impurity (Lv 15:16; Dt 23:10–12) would have barred David from sharing in it.

24 So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon feast(A) came, the king sat down to eat. 25 He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan,[a] and Abner sat next to Saul, but David’s place was empty.(B) 26 Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, “Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 20:25 Septuagint; Hebrew wall. Jonathan arose