King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, [even] upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The king sat at his usual place by the wall. Y'honatan stood up, and Avner sat next to Sha'ul, but David's place was empty.
Berean Standard Bible:
He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.
American Standard Version:
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side: but David’s place was empty.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the king{H4428} sat{H3427} upon his seat{H4186}, as at other times{H6471}, even upon a seat{H4186} by the wall{H7023}: and Jonathan{H3083} arose{H6965}, and Abner{H74} sat{H3427} by Saul's{H7586} side{H6654}, and David's{H1732} place{H4725} was empty{H6485}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 20:18
- Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow [is] the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
Judges 16:20
- And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 20:25
1 Samuel 20:25 is a verse embedded within the larger narrative of the complex relationship between King Saul, his son Jonathan, and David, who would later become king himself. The historical context is set during the early period of the United Monarchy of Israel, when Saul was the reigning king. The verse describes a specific scene at a feast, likely the New Moon festival, where the king's seating arrangement reflects the social hierarchy and the tensions of the court.
King Saul is seated in a prominent position, "as at other times," which suggests a regular, perhaps customary, setting for royal gatherings. The mention of the seat by the wall could imply a place of honor or a strategic location within the ancient Israelite culture. Jonathan, Saul's son, is present and rises, which could be a sign of respect or a signal of his role as a prince. Abner, the commander of Saul's army, sits beside the king, indicating his high status and close relationship with the monarch.
Notably, David's place is empty. This absence is significant because it highlights the growing rift between Saul and David. David, once Saul's beloved musician and military hero, had become an object of the king's jealousy and fear due to his growing popularity and God's favor towards him. Saul's increasing paranoia and hostility towards David had led to attempts on David's life, forcing David to flee and go into hiding. The empty seat is a poignant symbol of the broken bond between the king and his once-favored servant, as well as the political intrigue and personal conflicts that characterized Saul's court.
The themes of the verse include the dynamics of power and favor within a royal court, the complexities of human relationships, and the consequences of jealousy and fear. It also touches on the theme of divine providence, as David's absence foreshadows his eventual rise to the throne, a destiny that was anointed by the prophet Samuel and affirmed by God, despite the current king's opposition. This verse serves as a snapshot of the tension-filled period leading up to a significant transition of leadership in Israel's history.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H4186
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹשָׁב
Transliteration: môwshâb
Pronunciation: mo-shawb'
Description: or מֹשָׁב; from יָשַׁב; a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population; assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning. - Strong's Number: H6471
There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּעַם
Transliteration: paʻam
Pronunciation: pah'-am
Description: or (feminine) פַּעֲמָה; from פָּעַם; a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow); anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. - Strong's Number: H7023
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קִיר
Transliteration: qîyr
Pronunciation: keer
Description: or קִר; (Isaiah 22:5), or (feminine) קִירָה; from קוּר; a wall (as built in a trench); [phrase] mason, side, town, [idiom] very, wall. - Strong's Number: H3083
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוֹנָתָן
Transliteration: Yᵉhôwnâthân
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-naw-thawn'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and נָתַן; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites; Jonathan. Compare יוֹנָתָן. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H74
There are 1865 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְנֵר
Transliteration: ʼAbnêr
Pronunciation: ab-nare'
Description: or (fully) אֲבִינֵר ; from אָב and נִיר; father of light (i.e. enlightening); Abner, an Israelite; Abner. - Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H6654
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צַד
Transliteration: tsad
Pronunciation: tsad
Description: contr. from an unused root meaning to sidle off; a side; figuratively, an adversary; (be-) side. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H4725
There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָקוֹם
Transliteration: mâqôwm
Pronunciation: maw-kome'
Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H6485
There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּקַד
Transliteration: pâqad
Pronunciation: paw-kad'
Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want.