1 Samuel 20:27
But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Saul's question reveals his deep-seated suspicion; he immediately assumes David's absence is intentional, not accidental. This quick jump to accusation, fueled by his paranoia, shows how far he's already fallen into a place of distrust and insecurity, blindsiding him to any other possibility.
Saul's suspicion of David is boiling over. After David's triumph over Goliath, Saul has become dangerously jealous, seeing David as a threat to his throne. Jonathan, David's loyal friend and Saul's son, is trying to protect David by arranging a test to see if Saul truly intends him harm, and this verse is the critical moment where Saul's anger becomes undeniably clear.
Saul's question to Jonathan isn't just a casual inquiry. It's loaded with suspicion, revealing a mind already convinced of David's supposed treachery. Notice how quickly the king jumps to conclusions.
A King's Paranoia
Saul’s question, "Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?" is dripping with suspicion. He doesn’t ask if David is sick, or if something urgent came up. Instead, his mind immediately goes to a place of accusation.
This reveals Saul's deep insecurity and paranoia. He sees David's absence not as a simple matter, but as proof of his own worst fears – that David is plotting against him. This is the dark side of power when it's fueled by fear rather than faith.
Jonathan is caught between a rock and a hard place – loyalty to his father, the king, and his covenant friendship with David. His father's pointed question forces the issue.
The Weight of Friendship and Duty
Jonathan, as Saul's son, should be at his father's side. But his heart is bound to David by a profound friendship and a covenant of love.
Saul's question puts Jonathan in an incredibly difficult spot. He knows the truth – that David is hiding because Saul is actively trying to kill him. But how can he reveal this to his father without putting himself and David in even greater danger? This moment highlights the tension between familial duty and a higher calling of loyalty to a friend and to God's chosen one.
Understand the original words
chodesh · Hebrew Noun
The first day of the lunar month in the Hebrew calendar, often marked by special offerings, blowing of trumpets, and a cessation from common work. It was a time of renewal and gathering for the community of Israel.
This event unfolds during a critical period where David, the anointed successor, is actively being hunted by the reigning king, Saul, who sees David as a threat to his throne and legacy.
c. 1025 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift from the period of the judges.
c. 1020 BC
David Anointed King
While Saul is king, the prophet Samuel secretly anoints David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the future king.
c. 1015 BC
David Kills Goliath
David, a young shepherd, defeats the Philistine giant Goliath, becoming a national hero and a threat to King Saul's popularity.
c. 1015-1012 BC
David's Rise and Saul's Jealousy
David gains military successes and the admiration of the people, fueling King Saul's intense jealousy and fear.
c. 1012 BC— this verse
This passage highlights the deep, almost unbreakable bond between David and Jonathan, which is the very foundation of Saul's suspicion and Jonathan's subsequent actions in 1 Samuel 20.
Psalm 56:11David's words here, 'in God I trust and am emboldened,' directly echo the faith he must have relied on while facing Saul's intense scrutiny and the threat of his life.
1 Samuel 20:14-17This section reveals Jonathan's sworn oath of loyalty to David, explaining the depth of his commitment and the risks he was willing to take to protect his friend from his own father.
1 Samuel 23:17-18This passage shows Jonathan continuing to support David even when it's dangerous, demonstrating that the covenant made between them in chapter 20 was not a fleeting moment but a lasting commitment.
Saul's question reveals his deep-seated suspicion; he immediately assumes David's absence is intentional, not accidental. This quick jump to accusation, fueled by his paranoia, shows how far he's already fallen into a place of distrust and insecurity, blindsiding him to any other possibility.
Saul's suspicion of David is boiling over. After David's triumph over Goliath, Saul has become dangerously jealous, seeing David as a threat to his throne. Jonathan, David's loyal friend and Saul's son, is trying to protect David by arranging a test to see if Saul truly intends him harm, and this verse is the critical moment where Saul's anger becomes undeniably clear.
Saul's suspicion of David is boiling over. After David's triumph over Goliath, Saul has become dangerously jealous, seeing David as a threat to his throne. Jonathan, David's loyal friend and Saul's son, is trying to protect David by arranging a test to see if Saul truly intends him harm, and this verse is the critical moment where Saul's anger becomes undeniably clear.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Samuel 20:27 is available in the Sola app.
David Flees Saul
Saul attempts to kill David with a spear. David flees, beginning a period of being hunted by Saul.
c. 1012 BC
Jonathan's Warning to David
This chapter details Jonathan's strategic warning to David about Saul's murderous intent, leading to David's escape and the meal described in the verse.
"But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”" — Saul's question reveals his deep-seated suspicion; he immediately assumes David's absence is intentional, not accidental. This quick jump to accusation, fueled by his paranoia, shows how far he's alr…
