1 Samuel 20:5
David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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David's request to "hide himself in the field" isn't just about being out of sight; it's a deliberate plan to avoid the king's feast. This shows his understanding that Saul's intentions are not to dine with him, but to target him, a deadly seriousness underlying the "holiday" occasion.
Saul is on the warpath, paranoid and convinced David is a threat to his throne, even trying to kill him with his spear. David, realizing he's no longer safe in Saul's household, confides in his dear friend Jonathan, Saul's son. This conversation is the beginning of a risky plan to discern Saul's true intentions before David flees for good.
David is in a tight spot. He's hiding from King Saul, but he also has a crucial role to play in the king's court. How does he navigate this impossible situation?
A King's Table, A Fugitive's Fear
David’s request to Jonathan highlights a serious social and political obligation: the festival of the new moon. This wasn't just a casual dinner; it was a public display of loyalty and presence in the king's inner circle.
David’s dilemma is a stark reminder that even in personal crises, public roles and expectations don't just disappear. He has to balance his survival with his perceived duties.
David needs to get away, not just for a day, but for a specific duration. His plan involves careful timing and a chosen hiding place. What does this tell us about his mindset?
A Carefully Calculated Absence
David isn't just running; he's strategizing his evasion. His request is precise: 'hide myself in the field till the third day at evening.'
Understand the original words
chodesh · Hebrew Noun
A religious festival marking the beginning of a month in the Hebrew calendar, requiring special offerings and communal gatherings.
David's desperate situation highlights the intense personal danger he faced not just from a rival, but from his own king, forcing him into a life of hiding and strategic maneuvering.
c. 1025 BC
Saul's Reign Begins
Saul is anointed king of Israel, marking the transition from a period of judges to a monarchy. His reign is initially promising but soon becomes troubled by disobedience.
c. 1020 BC
David Anointed King
While Saul is still king, the prophet Samuel secretly anoints David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the future king of Israel, setting the stage for future conflict.
c. 1015 BC
David Defeats Goliath
The young shepherd David courageously defeats the Philistine giant Goliath, becoming a national hero and gaining immense popularity among the Israelites.
c. 1015-1010 BC
Saul's Jealousy and Persecution
Envious of David's popularity and fearing for his throne, King Saul begins relentlessly trying to kill David. David is forced to flee and live as a fugitive.
c. 1010 BC
This passage shows Jonathan's initial promise to protect David, setting the stage for the deeper loyalty and strategic deception seen in chapter 20.
1 Samuel 18:1Jonathan's soul is bound to David's, highlighting the profound, almost spiritual friendship that motivates Jonathan's risky actions to save David.
Psalm 56:1-4David's plea in this Psalm, expressing fear of his enemies and trust in God, echoes the desperate situation he finds himself in during his flight from Saul.
1 Samuel 20:14-17This section details the covenant Jonathan makes with David's house, demonstrating the commitment to loyalty and the future implications of their actions beyond immediate danger.
David's request to "hide himself in the field" isn't just about being out of sight; it's a deliberate plan to avoid the king's feast. This shows his understanding that Saul's intentions are not to dine with him, but to target him, a deadly seriousness underlying the "holiday" occasion.
Saul is on the warpath, paranoid and convinced David is a threat to his throne, even trying to kill him with his spear. David, realizing he's no longer safe in Saul's household, confides in his dear friend Jonathan, Saul's son. This conversation is the beginning of a risky plan to discern Saul's true intentions before David flees for good.
Saul is on the warpath, paranoid and convinced David is a threat to his throne, even trying to kill him with his spear. David, realizing he's no longer safe in Saul's household, confides in his dear friend Jonathan, Saul's son. This conversation is the beginning of a risky plan to discern Saul's true intentions before David flees for good.
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David and Jonathan's Covenant
Despite his father's murderous intent, Jonathan, Saul's son, forms a deep, covenant friendship with David, pledging loyalty and even risking his own life for David's.
c. 1010 BC
David Hides from Saul
This event describes David's desperate plan to test Saul's intentions. He pretends to be absent from the king's table during the New Moon feast, a significant royal gathering.
c. 1010-1000 BC
David's Wilderness Years
David spends years on the run in the wilderness of Judah, gathering followers and narrowly escaping Saul's repeated attempts to capture or kill him.
"David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening." — David's request to "hide himself in the field" isn't just about being out of sight; it's a deliberate plan to avoid the king's feast. This shows his understanding that Saul's intentions are not to di…
