David requests Jonathan’s help to safely avoid King Saul’s growing hostility and test Saul’s intentions during the holy New Moon gathering.
David begins this request by emphasizing that “tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king” (1 Samuel 20:5). The New Moon celebration in ancient Israel was a sacred time marking the beginning of a new month, often accompanied by offerings and communal feasting (Numbers 10:10). In this verse, David, who lived from about 1040 BC to 970 BC and had already been anointed as the future king of Israel, prepares to excuse himself from King Saul’s table. He reveals his plan to Jonathan, King Saul’s eldest son who was born in the early 11th century BC, seeking to avoid a direct encounter with Saul, who has become dangerously jealous of David. The tension of the moment underlines David’s increasing sense of caution, as he knows Saul might be plotting to harm him.
Further clarifying his intentions, David tells Jonathan to let him go, “that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening” (v.5). This strategic move is more than just avoiding a meal—David is testing Saul’s reactions in his absence. By hiding, David will be able to discern whether King Saul’s hostility has reached a lethal point, confirming the warning signs that have already appeared (1 Samuel 19:10). The “field” is likely in the surroundings of Gibeah, located in the tribal territory of Benjamin, just a few miles north of present-day Jerusalem. Gibeah was Saul’s royal seat at the time, meaning any sign of David’s absence from a royal feast would be immediately noticeable. This literal place of hiding also serves as a metaphor for David’s greater need for God’s protection, a theme that will resonate throughout the Psalms and into the ultimate deliverance and protection found in Jesus, the promised Messiah who descends from the line of David (Matthew 1:1).
David’s resolve to avoid sitting at the king’s table illustrates both his humility and his prudence. He could have insisted on his rightful place in the presence of Saul, but instead, he entrusts his safety to God’s sovereignty and utilizes Jonathan’s loyal friendship for guidance. This episode also prefigures the nature of Christ, who both knew when to engage the crowds and when to withdraw for prayerful solitude (Matthew 14:13). The faith-based wisdom David demonstrates points to the Lord’s ongoing guidance over all circumstances, reminding believers that, even in situations filled with danger, God can offer both insight and deliverance.
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1 Samuel 20:5 meaning
David begins this request by emphasizing that “tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king” (1 Samuel 20:5). The New Moon celebration in ancient Israel was a sacred time marking the beginning of a new month, often accompanied by offerings and communal feasting (Numbers 10:10). In this verse, David, who lived from about 1040 BC to 970 BC and had already been anointed as the future king of Israel, prepares to excuse himself from King Saul’s table. He reveals his plan to Jonathan, King Saul’s eldest son who was born in the early 11th century BC, seeking to avoid a direct encounter with Saul, who has become dangerously jealous of David. The tension of the moment underlines David’s increasing sense of caution, as he knows Saul might be plotting to harm him.
Further clarifying his intentions, David tells Jonathan to let him go, “that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening” (v.5). This strategic move is more than just avoiding a meal—David is testing Saul’s reactions in his absence. By hiding, David will be able to discern whether King Saul’s hostility has reached a lethal point, confirming the warning signs that have already appeared (1 Samuel 19:10). The “field” is likely in the surroundings of Gibeah, located in the tribal territory of Benjamin, just a few miles north of present-day Jerusalem. Gibeah was Saul’s royal seat at the time, meaning any sign of David’s absence from a royal feast would be immediately noticeable. This literal place of hiding also serves as a metaphor for David’s greater need for God’s protection, a theme that will resonate throughout the Psalms and into the ultimate deliverance and protection found in Jesus, the promised Messiah who descends from the line of David (Matthew 1:1).
David’s resolve to avoid sitting at the king’s table illustrates both his humility and his prudence. He could have insisted on his rightful place in the presence of Saul, but instead, he entrusts his safety to God’s sovereignty and utilizes Jonathan’s loyal friendship for guidance. This episode also prefigures the nature of Christ, who both knew when to engage the crowds and when to withdraw for prayerful solitude (Matthew 14:13). The faith-based wisdom David demonstrates points to the Lord’s ongoing guidance over all circumstances, reminding believers that, even in situations filled with danger, God can offer both insight and deliverance.