1 Samuel 20:18

KJV

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow [is] the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Jonathan {H3083} said {H559} to David {H1732}, To morrow {H4279} is the new moon {H2320}: and thou shalt be missed {H6485}, because thy seat {H4186} will be empty {H6485}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'honatan said to him, "Tomorrow is Rosh-Hodesh, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed if your seat is empty.

American Standard Version

Then Jonathan said unto him, To-morrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonathan's urgent communication to David in 1 Samuel 20:18 reveals a pivotal moment in their deep friendship and the escalating danger David faces from King Saul. By informing David that "tomorrow is the new moon" and that his absence will be conspicuously noted due to his "empty seat" at the royal feast, Jonathan sets in motion a carefully devised plan to ascertain Saul's true intentions, underscoring the precariousness of David's position and the unwavering loyalty of Jonathan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of the profound covenant established between David and Jonathan in [1 Samuel 20:17](/1_samuel/20-17 "1 Samuel 20:17 - Jonathan's Covenant with David"). Having sworn an oath of enduring friendship and mutual protection, Jonathan is now executing the first phase of their strategic plan to expose King Saul's murderous intent towards David. The preceding verses detail David's desperate plea for Jonathan to discover Saul's true feelings, and Jonathan's resolute commitment to do so. The "new moon" feast is chosen as the specific occasion for this test, leading directly into the dramatic confrontation between Saul and Jonathan in [1 Samuel 20:24-34](/1_samuel/20-24 "1 Samuel 20:24-34 - Saul's Fury at Jonathan"). This verse thus serves as the critical setup for the climax of this chapter, confirming David's need for exile and solidifying Jonathan's self-sacrificial loyalty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "new moon" (Hebrew: _rosh chodesh_) was a significant monthly festival in ancient Israel, marking the beginning of a new lunar month. It was observed with special sacrifices, trumpet blasts, and communal feasting, as prescribed in [Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11-15 - Offerings for the New Moon"). This was a time when prominent members of the royal court, including David as the king's son-in-law and a celebrated military leader, were expected to be present at the king's table. Absence from such a public and religiously significant event would be highly unusual and immediately noticeable, drawing the king's attention. The rigid seating arrangements at royal feasts further ensured that an empty seat would be conspicuous, providing the perfect catalyst for Jonathan's plan to gauge Saul's reaction.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven in this verse include **unwavering loyalty and friendship**, exemplified by Jonathan's commitment to David despite the immense personal risk and potential loss of his own claim to the throne. This stands in stark contrast to Saul's **escalating jealousy and murderous intent**, which has driven David into hiding, as seen in [1 Samuel 18:9](/1_samuel/18-9 "1 Samuel 18:9 - Saul's Jealousy of David"). The verse also highlights **divine providence and protection**, as God uses Jonathan's loyalty and the cultural observance of the new moon to reveal Saul's true heart and ensure David's safety. Furthermore, it underscores the **precariousness of power and the abuse of authority**, as Saul, the divinely appointed king, seeks to destroy the one whom God has chosen to succeed him, foreshadowing the eventual transfer of the kingdom from Saul's house to David's, as prophesied in [1 Samuel 15:28](/1_samuel/15-28 "1 Samuel 15:28 - Samuel's Prophecy to Saul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **New moon (Hebrew, _chodesh'_):** This term refers to the first day of the lunar month, a significant religious and social festival in Israel. It was a time of special sacrifices and communal feasting, where the king and his court were expected to gather. Its mention here sets the stage for the public test of Saul's intentions, as David's absence from such a mandatory and public event would be immediately noticed.
* **Missed (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** The verb _paqad_ carries a range of meanings, including "to visit," "to inspect," "to muster," "to appoint," or "to call to account." In this context, it implies that David's absence will not merely be overlooked but will be actively observed, inquired about, and potentially lead to an investigation or a calling to account by Saul. It emphasizes the certainty that his non-attendance will trigger a reaction.
* **Empty (Hebrew, _naqah'_):** This word literally means "clean," "pure," or "innocent," but in the context of a seat, it signifies "vacant" or "unoccupied." The emphasis on the "empty seat" highlights the public and conspicuous nature of David's usual presence at the king's table. His absence would be glaringly obvious to all present, making it the perfect visual cue for Saul's attention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Jonathan said to David":** This opening phrase establishes the immediate context of a private, confidential, and strategic conversation between two trusted friends. It underscores the urgency and conspiratorial nature of their discussion, as they are planning to circumvent the king's murderous intentions.
* **"To morrow [is] the new moon":** Jonathan specifies the exact timing for their plan. By identifying the upcoming new moon festival, he points to a culturally significant event that will provide the ideal public setting for observing Saul's reaction to David's absence. This highlights Jonathan's careful planning and understanding of court protocol.
* **"and thou shalt be missed":** This is Jonathan's confident prediction of the immediate consequence of David's non-attendance. He knows that David, as a prominent figure and the king's son-in-law, would be expected at the royal table, and his absence would not go unnoticed. This phrase sets up the expectation of Saul's inquiry.
* **"because thy seat will be empty":** This clause provides the precise, tangible reason for David being missed. It emphasizes the visual and public nature of David's usual place at the king's table. The empty seat serves as a clear, undeniable signal that something is amiss, forcing Saul to acknowledge David's absence and reveal his true feelings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jonathan's words directly anticipate the dramatic events that will unfold at the new moon feast, particularly Saul's violent outburst when confronted with David's absence. There is a strong sense of **irony** in the situation: the king's own son is actively conspiring against his father to protect the man destined to take his father's throne, demonstrating a profound loyalty that transcends familial ties and political ambition. The "empty seat" functions as a powerful **symbolism**, representing not only David's physical absence but also his forced separation from the royal court, his precarious status as an exile, and the growing chasm between him and Saul. It visually encapsulates the danger David faces and the breakdown of the royal family's unity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the themes of divine protection and human loyalty in the face of grave danger. Jonathan's unwavering commitment to David, even at the risk of his own life and royal succession, showcases a profound example of covenant faithfulness that mirrors God's steadfast love. It highlights how God can use human relationships and even cultural observances to orchestrate His sovereign plan, ensuring the safety of His chosen servant, David. The precariousness of David's situation underscores the suffering of the righteous who are unjustly persecuted, a common motif throughout scripture.

* [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David's Anointing by Samuel")
* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Psalm 34:19](/psalm/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 20:18 invites us to reflect on the nature of true friendship and the courage required to uphold loyalty in the face of adversity. Jonathan's willingness to risk everything for David serves as a powerful example of self-sacrificial love and faithfulness. In our own lives, this prompts us to consider the quality of our relationships: are we friends who stand by others when it is costly, or do we retreat when danger looms? The verse also speaks to the importance of discernment and strategic wisdom when navigating difficult or dangerous situations. David and Jonathan didn't passively wait for fate; they actively planned and sought to understand the truth. This encourages us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, seeking counsel and trusting God's guidance in our responses to injustice or opposition. Ultimately, it reminds us that even when our "seat" in life feels empty due to circumstances beyond our control, God remains sovereign, and He often uses unexpected means and loyal allies to protect and guide us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we cultivate friendships that demonstrate the kind of loyalty and self-sacrifice seen between David and Jonathan?**
* **When facing difficult or dangerous situations, how do we balance strategic planning with trusting God's providence?**
* **In what ways might we be called to stand up for others, even when it involves personal risk or goes against prevailing authority?**
* **How does David's experience of being "missed" and having an "empty seat" resonate with feelings of absence or displacement in our own lives, and how might we find God's presence in those moments?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the New Moon festival mentioned in 1 Samuel 20:18?**

Answer: The New Moon festival (Hebrew: _Rosh Chodesh_) was a significant religious and social observance in ancient Israel, marking the beginning of each new lunar month. It was a time of special sacrifices, trumpet blasts, and communal feasting, as detailed in [Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11-15 - Offerings for the New Moon"). All prominent members of the royal court, including the king, his family, and key officials like David, were expected to be present at the king's table for the ceremonial meal. Its importance made David's absence exceptionally noticeable, serving as the perfect trigger for Jonathan's plan to test Saul's intentions.

**Why was David's absence at the king's table so critical for Jonathan's plan?**

Answer: David's absence was critical because his presence at the royal table during the New Moon feast was expected and customary due to his status as the king's son-in-law and a celebrated military leader. An "empty seat" for such a prominent figure would be immediately conspicuous and would inevitably draw King Saul's attention. Jonathan shrewdly used this cultural expectation to create a situation that would force Saul to reveal his true feelings towards David, confirming whether his murderous intent persisted or if there was any hope for reconciliation. It was a calculated risk designed to elicit an undeniable reaction from the king.

**How does this verse highlight Jonathan's character?**

Answer: This verse powerfully highlights Jonathan's extraordinary character, particularly his unwavering loyalty, courage, and self-sacrificial love for David. Despite being King Saul's son and the presumed heir to the throne, Jonathan prioritizes his covenant friendship with David over his own personal advancement or allegiance to his father's destructive will. His strategic planning and willingness to defy his father, even at great personal risk (as seen later in [1 Samuel 20:30-34](/1_samuel/20-30 "1 Samuel 20:30-34 - Saul's Fury at Jonathan")), demonstrate a profound moral integrity and a selfless devotion that makes him one of the most admirable figures in the Old Testament. He embodies the biblical ideal of a faithful friend who "loves at all times" ([Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's persecution and Jonathan's loyal protection in 1 Samuel 20:18 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. David, the divinely chosen king, is unjustly rejected and pursued by the reigning authority, King Saul, prefiguring Christ, the true King, who was similarly rejected by the religious and political powers of His day ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own")). Jonathan's self-sacrificial love and strategic intervention to save David's life serve as a beautiful type of Christ's ultimate act of friendship and intercession for His people. Just as Jonathan ensured David's safety, Jesus, our ultimate friend, laid down His life for us ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")) and continually intercedes for us before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). The "empty seat" at Saul's table for David can also remind us of Christ's temporary absence from the earthly realm after His ascension, as He sits at the right hand of God, preparing a place for us ([Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus' Ascension"); [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")), and His promised return to fill the throne of His eternal kingdom. This verse, therefore, points to the sovereign plan of God to protect His anointed one and establish His kingdom through a rejected but divinely appointed King, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 20:5

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow [is] the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third [day] at even.

1 Samuel 20:25

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.