Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
1 Samuel 20:18
What does 1 Samuel 20:18 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
1 Samuel 20:18
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to hear Jonathan's words as a simple statement of fact, but his saying "your seat will be empty" is a coded way of acknowledging David's impending absence and danger. He’s not just pointing out a missing person; he’s subtly confirming that David’s absence will be glaringly obvious, a stark indicator that something is seriously wrong.
Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Saul is consumed by jealousy of his son-in-law David and has repeatedly tried to kill him. David, fearing for his life, has fled to his close friend Jonathan, Saul's son. Jonathan has promised to uncover his father's true intentions toward David, and this passage is the beginning of their plan to figure out if Saul truly intends to harm David or if his anger has cooled.
Every new month, life seemed to pause for a special feast. But for David, this upcoming new moon meant something far more dangerous.
A Sacred Time, A Dangerous Sign
In ancient Israel, the new moon (or 'rosh chodesh') wasn't just another day. It marked the beginning of a new lunar month and was a time for religious observance and feasting. Think of it like a significant holiday.
For King Saul, the father of Jonathan, this feast was also a time to gather his royal court. It was a public event where attendance was expected, especially for those close to the king.
Jonathan’s words, “Tomorrow is the new moon,” immediately set a somber tone. It wasn't just a calendar update; it was a warning. It signaled a time when David's absence would be glaringly obvious and unavoidable.
David's life hung by a thread, and his friend Jonathan was caught in the middle. This empty seat wasn't just about missing a meal.
The Weight of a Missing Chair
Jonathan knew his father, King Saul, was consumed by jealousy and suspicion toward David. Saul saw David as a threat to his throne and had even tried to kill him.
When David was supposed to be at the royal feast and his place was empty, it wouldn't go unnoticed. Saul would immediately know something was wrong. Jonathan understood this deeply. He wasn't just pointing out a missed appointment; he was highlighting the critical moment when David's safety would be put to the ultimate test.
Jonathan’s statement reveals his courageous loyalty. He was actively working to protect David, even while facing the immense pressure and potential wrath of his own father, the king.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
chodesh · Hebrew Noun
A monthly festival in ancient Israel marked by the blowing of trumpets, sacrifices, and a holy assembly to mark the beginning of the month according to the lunar calendar.
c. 1025 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a shift from a period of judges to monarchy.
c. 1020 BC
David Anointed King
Samuel, under God's direction, anoints David, a young shepherd, as the future king of Israel, creating a rival claimant to Saul's throne.
c. 1012 BC
David Slays Goliath
David's unlikely victory over the Philistine giant Goliath propels him to national fame and increases Saul's paranoia and jealousy.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Jealousy Grows
Saul's fear and resentment towards David intensify as David's military successes and popularity among the people grow.
c. 1010 BC
Jonathan's Friendship with David
Despite being Saul's son and heir, Jonathan develops a deep, loyal friendship with David, a bond that transcends political rivalry.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
The New Moon Festival
The monthly New Moon festival was a significant occasion for communal worship and feasting, requiring the presence of key figures like David in the king's court.
c. 1010 BC
David Flees Saul
David narrowly escapes Saul's attempts to kill him, beginning a period of his life on the run, hiding from the increasingly unstable king.
This passage shows Jonathan's deep love and commitment to David even before the conflict with Saul escalates, highlighting the bond that makes Jonathan's later actions so poignant.
1 Samuel 20:14-15Jonathan here makes a vow to show steadfast love to David, directly mirroring the intention behind his protective actions in chapter 20 and setting up the stakes of his difficult position.
1 Samuel 20:41-42This shows the deep emotional farewell between Jonathan and David, emphasizing the profound friendship and loyalty that is being tested and ultimately grieved by Saul's hatred.
Psalm 41:9This Psalm is a lament about betrayal by a close friend, and Jesus himself quotes it in relation to Judas's betrayal, offering a broader perspective on the pain of broken trust that Jonathan and David faced.
It's easy to hear Jonathan's words as a simple statement of fact, but his saying "your seat will be empty" is a coded way of acknowledging David's impending absence and danger. He’s not just pointing out a missing person; he’s subtly confirming that David’s absence will be glaringly obvious, a stark indicator that something is seriously wrong.
King Saul is consumed by jealousy of his son-in-law David and has repeatedly tried to kill him. David, fearing for his life, has fled to his close friend Jonathan, Saul's son. Jonathan has promised to uncover his father's true intentions toward David, and this passage is the beginning of their plan to figure out if Saul truly intends to harm David or if his anger has cooled.
King Saul is consumed by jealousy of his son-in-law David and has repeatedly tried to kill him. David, fearing for his life, has fled to his close friend Jonathan, Saul's son. Jonathan has promised to uncover his father's true intentions toward David, and this passage is the beginning of their plan to figure out if Saul truly intends to harm David or if his anger has cooled.
"Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty." — It's easy to hear Jonathan's words as a simple statement of fact, but his saying "your seat will be empty" is a coded way of acknowledging David's impending absence and danger. He’s not just pointing…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026