They met privately in a field to confirm their loyalty and to protect David’s life.
“And Jonathan said to David, ‘Come and let us go out into the field.’ So both of them went out to the field.” (v.11) Here, Jonathan, the son of King Saul (who reigned from approximately 1050 to 1010 BC), invites David to a private location to discuss vital matters. Though the scripture simply mentions “the field,” it suggests a setting away from prying eyes, ensuring their words would remain confidential. David, who had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel to ultimately succeed King Saul, finds an ally in Jonathan despite the tension mounting within Saul’s household (1 Samuel 16:13). Their friendship exemplifies the value of loyal companionship, echoing the ways in which Jesus taught His disciples about deep commitment and faithful love (John 15:13).
“So both of them went out to the field.” (v.11) emphasizes that Jonathan and David took immediate action to protect David’s life and reputation. Geographically, they likely stepped outside the palace or a guarded area in Gibeah—Saul’s home base—to ensure privacy for their conversation. This reference to stepping into “the field” often carries the sense of leaving behind familiar confines and risking public exposure, yet it also signifies the necessity of honesty and openness in godly relationships. Jonathan’s decision to stand beside David rather than support Saul highlights the spirit of selfless sacrifice and readiness to place God’s will above personal ambition.
Their shared experience in the field is a manifestation of their covenant bond, an agreement made earlier in which Jonathan acknowledged David’s God-ordained destiny (1 Samuel 18:3). By removing themselves from a larger audience, both men displayed trust and unity, a bond similar to the spiritual kinship believers find through faith in Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus invites His followers into a close, trusting fellowship with Him, demonstrating the value of genuine partnership in pursuing God’s purposes (Matthew 11:28-30).
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1 Samuel 20:11 meaning
“And Jonathan said to David, ‘Come and let us go out into the field.’ So both of them went out to the field.” (v.11) Here, Jonathan, the son of King Saul (who reigned from approximately 1050 to 1010 BC), invites David to a private location to discuss vital matters. Though the scripture simply mentions “the field,” it suggests a setting away from prying eyes, ensuring their words would remain confidential. David, who had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel to ultimately succeed King Saul, finds an ally in Jonathan despite the tension mounting within Saul’s household (1 Samuel 16:13). Their friendship exemplifies the value of loyal companionship, echoing the ways in which Jesus taught His disciples about deep commitment and faithful love (John 15:13).
“So both of them went out to the field.” (v.11) emphasizes that Jonathan and David took immediate action to protect David’s life and reputation. Geographically, they likely stepped outside the palace or a guarded area in Gibeah—Saul’s home base—to ensure privacy for their conversation. This reference to stepping into “the field” often carries the sense of leaving behind familiar confines and risking public exposure, yet it also signifies the necessity of honesty and openness in godly relationships. Jonathan’s decision to stand beside David rather than support Saul highlights the spirit of selfless sacrifice and readiness to place God’s will above personal ambition.
Their shared experience in the field is a manifestation of their covenant bond, an agreement made earlier in which Jonathan acknowledged David’s God-ordained destiny (1 Samuel 18:3). By removing themselves from a larger audience, both men displayed trust and unity, a bond similar to the spiritual kinship believers find through faith in Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus invites His followers into a close, trusting fellowship with Him, demonstrating the value of genuine partnership in pursuing God’s purposes (Matthew 11:28-30).