1 Samuel 20:34
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jonathan's rage isn't just about David being embarrassed; it's a fierce, consuming anger born from the profound grief of witnessing his own father's deep injustice toward his best friend. This isn't just hurt feelings; it's a visceral reaction that cuts off his appetite, showing the depth of his loyalty and sorrow over Saul's betrayal of both friendship and honor.
And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jonathan is deeply hurt and angry because his father, King Saul, has publicly shamed and threatened David, his best friend and God's chosen king. This outburst of emotion, eating no food, occurs as David has just fled Saul's palace, knowing he's in mortal danger. The events leading up to this show Saul's escalating paranoia and jealousy of David, making Jonathan's loyalty and sorrow all the more poignant as he faces his father's rage.
Jonathan's reaction here is intense – 'fierce anger' and fasting for a whole day. What could cause such a strong response in a prince?
Jonathan's grief isn't just mild disappointment; it's a visceral reaction to his father, King Saul, publicly humiliating David. Saul’s actions stem from jealousy and paranoia, seeing David as a threat to his throne. But Jonathan sees David's true worth and their unbreakable bond. His anger is righteous, fueled by love for David and sorrow over his father’s descent into irrational hatred. This shows that loyalty and deep affection can cause us to feel intensely when those we love are wronged, even by our own family.
Jonathan doesn't just feel bad; he refuses to eat. What does this act of fasting communicate about his inner turmoil?
In biblical times, fasting wasn't just about abstaining from food; it was a profound expression of grief, repentance, or deep spiritual concern. Jonathan’s refusal to eat on the second day of the month—a time usually marked by celebration and special meals—underscores the depth of his anguish. It’s a public, physical manifestation of his internal pain over David’s situation and his father’s wicked heart. This deliberate act signals that the offense against David has completely overshadowed any personal comfort or duty for Jonathan.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
aph charown · Hebrew Noun phrase
A state of extreme intensity of emotion, often characterized by wrath or boiling indignation; it can describe both righteous zeal and sinful, uncontrollable rage.
atsab · Hebrew Verb/Adjective
A condition of deep sorrow, anguish, or inner pain, often experienced in response to loss, injustice, or the suffering of a loved one.
kalam · Hebrew Verb
To treat with contempt, to shame, or to bring dishonor upon someone; it implies a violation of honor and dignity, especially in a covenantal or familial relationship.
Jonathan's grief highlights the devastating personal cost of Saul's paranoia and his rejection of God's chosen king, David, fracturing family and friendship.
c. 1070 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel, the prophet, anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift in Israel's governance.
c. 1060 BC
David Anointed King
Samuel, under God's direction, secretly anoints David, a young shepherd, as the future king, setting the stage for conflict with Saul.
c. 1050 BC
David Slays Goliath
David's victory over the Philistine giant Goliath propels him to national fame and deepens Saul's jealousy and suspicion.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Attempts to Kill David
Fueled by paranoia and seeing David as a threat, Saul makes multiple attempts on David's life, forcing David to flee.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Jonathan Intercedes for David
Jonathan, Saul's son and David's devoted friend, risks his own standing and safety to plead with his father for David's life, as depicted in this passage.
c. 1048 BC
David Becomes a Fugitive
David is forced to live on the run, hiding in the wilderness and constantly evading Saul's pursuit.
This passage describes Jacob's profound grief and mourning when he believed his son Joseph was dead, mirroring Jonathan's deep sorrow and anger over David's ill-treatment.
Psalm 42:3The psalmist expresses a similar deep emotional ache, crying out 'My tears have been my food day and night,' which resonates with Jonathan's fasting and emotional distress caused by his father's actions.
Nehemiah 2:2Nehemiah's visible sadness before King Artaxerxes, stemming from concern over Jerusalem, shows how personal grief over a beloved people or person can manifest physically and be noticed by others, just as Jonathan's anger was.
John 11:35Jesus weeping at the tomb of Lazarus highlights the powerful, outward expression of grief and empathy for a loved one, demonstrating that deep emotional pain, like Jonathan's, is a deeply human response.
Jonathan's rage isn't just about David being embarrassed; it's a fierce, consuming anger born from the profound grief of witnessing his own father's deep injustice toward his best friend. This isn't just hurt feelings; it's a visceral reaction that cuts off his appetite, showing the depth of his loyalty and sorrow over Saul's betrayal of both friendship and honor.
Jonathan is deeply hurt and angry because his father, King Saul, has publicly shamed and threatened David, his best friend and God's chosen king. This outburst of emotion, eating no food, occurs as David has just fled Saul's palace, knowing he's in mortal danger. The events leading up to this show Saul's escalating paranoia and jealousy of David, making Jonathan's loyalty and sorrow all the more poignant as he faces his father's rage.
Jonathan is deeply hurt and angry because his father, King Saul, has publicly shamed and threatened David, his best friend and God's chosen king. This outburst of emotion, eating no food, occurs as David has just fled Saul's palace, knowing he's in mortal danger. The events leading up to this show Saul's escalating paranoia and jealousy of David, making Jonathan's loyalty and sorrow all the more poignant as he faces his father's rage.
"And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him." — Jonathan's rage isn't just about David being embarrassed; it's a fierce, consuming anger born from the profound grief of witnessing his own father's deep injustice toward his best friend. This isn't…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
