1 Samuel 20:24

KJV

¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.

KJV (with Strong's)

So David {H1732} hid {H5641} himself in the field {H7704}: and when the new moon {H2320} was come, the king {H4428} sat him down {H3427} to eat {H398} meat {H3899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So David hid himself in the countryside. When Rosh-Hodesh came, the king sat down to eat his meal.

Berean Standard Bible

So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat.

American Standard Version

So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat food.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:24 captures a pivotal moment in David's life, depicting his strategic concealment in a field as the New Moon festival commences. This verse serves as the immediate precursor to Jonathan's crucial test of King Saul's intentions, highlighting David's extreme vulnerability and the escalating threat that would soon force him into a prolonged period of exile, entirely dependent on divine protection and the loyalty of his covenant friend.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic and tragic narrative of Saul's escalating paranoia and David's subsequent flight. Immediately preceding this passage, David and Jonathan have just reaffirmed their profound covenant of friendship, with Jonathan devising a perilous plan to ascertain Saul's true intentions toward David ([1 Samuel 20:5-7](/1_samuel/20-5-7 "1 Samuel 20:5-7 - Jonathan's Plan for David's Absence") and [1 Samuel 20:18-23](/1_samuel/20-18-23 "1 Samuel 20:18-23 - Jonathan's Instructions to David")). David's act of hiding in the field is the direct execution of this plan, making his absence from the royal table a deliberate and highly conspicuous act designed to provoke a definitive reaction from Saul. The events immediately following this verse, particularly [1 Samuel 20:25-34](/1_samuel/20-25-34 "1 Samuel 20:25-34 - Saul's Rage at Jonathan"), vividly portray Saul's violent outburst upon noticing David's absence, confirming his murderous intent and solidifying David's need for permanent flight from the royal court.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "new moon" (Hebrew: _chôdesh_) was a significant religious and social occasion in ancient Israel, marking the beginning of each new month. It was observed with special sacrifices, trumpet blasts, and communal feasts, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law ([Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11-15 "Numbers 28:11-15 - New Moon Offerings")). The king's presence at such a meal was not merely social but ceremonial, signifying his role as head of the nation and participant in its religious life. For David, a prominent member of the royal court, the king's son-in-law, and a celebrated military hero, absence from this feast would be highly unusual and conspicuous, immediately drawing attention. The act of "eating meat" (Hebrew: _lechem_, often referring to a full meal, especially one involving sacrificial meat) reinforced the communal and sacred nature of the event. David's hiding in the "field" (Hebrew: _sâdeh_) was a common and practical means of concealment in a largely agrarian society, offering natural cover away from populated areas and the watchful eyes of the court.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Samuel. It highlights the pervasive theme of **Saul's escalating jealousy and paranoia**, which has driven him to repeatedly attempt David's life, forcing David into a life of concealment and flight ([1 Samuel 18:8-12](/1_samuel/18-8-12 "1 Samuel 18:8-12 - Saul's Jealousy of David")). It also underscores **Jonathan's unwavering loyalty and covenant faithfulness** to David, a friendship that transcends familial ties and political ambition, standing in stark contrast to Saul's treachery ([1 Samuel 20:17](/1_samuel/20-17 "1 Samuel 20:17 - Jonathan's Covenant with David")). Furthermore, David's hiding subtly points to the broader theme of **divine protection and sovereignty** over God's chosen king. Even in moments of extreme vulnerability and apparent abandonment, God is actively preserving David for his future role as king of Israel, a destiny that Saul's actions cannot thwart ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1-13 "1 Samuel 16:1-13 - Samuel Anoints David King")). This period of hiddenness is part of God's sovereign plan for David's preparation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hid (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** This verb (H5641) signifies a deliberate and active act of concealment, often undertaken out of fear or for protection. It conveys David's vulnerability and the desperate measures he was forced to take due to Saul's relentless pursuit. It is not merely a passive state but an active effort to remain unseen, emphasizing the gravity of the threat to his life and the strategic nature of his absence.
* **new moon (Hebrew, _chôdesh'_):** This term (H2320), derived from a root meaning "to be new," refers to the monthly festival marking the beginning of a new lunar cycle. It was a significant religious and social observance in ancient Israel, characterized by special sacrifices and communal feasting. Its mention here highlights the pre-arranged timing of Jonathan's test and the highly conspicuous nature of David's absence from such a public and important royal gathering, making his non-attendance a clear signal.
* **meat (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** While literally meaning "bread" (H3899), in this context, _lechem_ often serves as a metonymy for a full meal or feast, especially one involving "meat" from sacrifices or communal offerings. Coupled with the verb "to eat" (H398, _ʼâkal_), the phrase "eat meat" indicates a formal, celebratory meal, underscoring the social and ceremonial importance of the New Moon feast and the king's customary participation. David's absence from this communal meal would be immediately noted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So David hid himself in the field:"** This opening clause immediately establishes David's precarious situation and his obedience to Jonathan's instructions. His hiding is not casual but a strategic maneuver to avoid Saul's wrath and to facilitate the test of Saul's intentions regarding his safety. The "field" provides a natural, yet vulnerable, place of concealment away from the royal court and its immediate dangers.
* **"and when the new moon was come,"** This temporal marker is crucial, indicating the precise moment for the pre-arranged test. The arrival of the New Moon signifies the commencement of the festival, making David's absence from the royal table immediately noticeable and setting the stage for Saul's reaction, which Jonathan and David are anticipating.
* **"the king sat him down to eat meat."** This final clause depicts King Saul engaging in the customary ritual of the New Moon feast. It portrays him in his expected royal role, presiding over the meal, seemingly in a position of power and normalcy. This seemingly normal act, however, becomes the backdrop against which David's absence will be highlighted, leading directly to the dramatic confrontation between Saul and Jonathan in the subsequent verses and revealing the king's true, murderous heart.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and foreshadow future events. **Foreshadowing** is evident as David's act of hiding in the field prefigures his extended period of exile and wandering in the wilderness, a time of refining and preparation for his eventual kingship. There is a profound **irony** in Saul unknowingly participating in a sacred feast that will expose his own unholy, murderous intent and further alienate him from his son and God's chosen. The verse also sets up a powerful **contrast** between the public, ceremonial setting of the king's feast and David's solitary, fearful concealment, highlighting the stark reality of David's immediate danger versus Saul's perceived security and the spiritual chasm between them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 20:24 serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual warfare inherent in God's redemptive plan. David, God's anointed, is forced into concealment by the reigning king, illustrating the tension between God's sovereign choice and human opposition. This hiddenness, however, is not abandonment but a period of divine preservation and preparation, echoing how God often works behind the scenes to protect His purposes and His people. It underscores that God's chosen ones may experience profound trials and periods of vulnerability, yet His faithfulness remains unwavering, actively preserving them for their appointed tasks.

* [Psalm 27:5](/psalm/27-5 "Psalm 27:5 - God's Hiding Place")
* [Psalm 32:7](/psalm/32-7 "Psalm 32:7 - God as Hiding Place")
* [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's experience of hiding in the field, though born of extreme duress, offers profound lessons for believers facing their own seasons of difficulty or "hiddenness." It reminds us that even when circumstances force us into vulnerable, unseen, or uncomfortable positions, God remains sovereign and actively involved. This period of concealment for David was not wasted time but a crucible for character development, deepening his reliance on God alone. When we find ourselves in situations where we feel unseen, overlooked, or even persecuted, like David, we are called to trust in God's protective hand, knowing that He is at work even in our hiding places. Our faith is often most refined not in the spotlight of public acclaim, but in the shadows of obscurity, where our dependence on His provision and presence is absolute. It is in these moments that we learn to truly lean on the Lord, finding strength and purpose in His unseen hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Have you ever experienced a period of "hiding" or feeling unseen in your life? How did you respond, and what did you learn about God's presence during that time?**
* **What does David's trust in Jonathan, and implicitly in God's overarching plan, teach us about relying on others and on divine providence during times of crisis and uncertainty?**
* **How does the stark contrast between Saul's public feasting and David's private hiding challenge our perceptions of true security, power, and God's active presence in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was the New Moon festival so important in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The New Moon festival (Rosh Chodesh) was a significant religious and social observance in ancient Israel, marking the beginning of each lunar month. It was commanded by God in the Mosaic Law, notably in [Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11-15 "Numbers 28:11-15 - New Moon Offerings"), which prescribed specific burnt offerings and sin offerings. Beyond the sacrificial rituals, it was a time for communal gathering, feasting, and often prophetic consultation ([2 Kings 4:23](/2_kings/4-23 "2 Kings 4:23 - The Shunammite Woman's Visit to Elisha")). Its importance stemmed from its role in the Israelite calendar, its connection to the covenant, and its function as a regular opportunity for national worship and fellowship. For a king like Saul, participation was a public display of piety and leadership, signifying his adherence to divine commands and his role as head of the nation.

**What does David's hiding reveal about the nature of his kingship, even before he was crowned?**

Answer: David's hiding in the field, driven by Saul's unrighteous pursuit, reveals a profound paradox that would characterize much of his early reign and indeed, his entire life. Unlike Saul, who clung to power through force and fear, David was learning humility, dependence on God, and the experience of being unjustly persecuted. His "kingship" at this stage was not one of outward pomp or earthly security but of inward character formation under divine pressure. This period of being hunted and hidden prepared him to be a shepherd-king who understood the struggles of his people and learned to rely solely on God's provision. It demonstrated that his authority would come not from human strength or political maneuvering, but from divine anointing and a willingness to endure hardship for God's purposes, as seen throughout the subsequent narratives of his flight and exile in [1 Samuel 21-31](/1_samuel/21 "1 Samuel 21 - David's Flight from Saul").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's unjust persecution and forced hiding profoundly foreshadows the life of Jesus Christ, the ultimate King. Just as David, God's anointed, was rejected by the reigning monarch and forced into obscurity, so too was Jesus, the Son of David and rightful King, rejected by the religious and political authorities of His day. The Son of Man had "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")), often withdrawing to secluded places to escape the crowds or the plots of His enemies ([John 6:15](/john/6-15 "John 6:15 - Jesus Withdraws After Feeding the Five Thousand")). David's concealment in the field speaks to the hiddenness of Christ's kingdom, which is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")), and His willingness to endure suffering and vulnerability before His ultimate triumph. Moreover, the New Moon festival, a shadow of things to come, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the substance of all Old Testament types and shadows ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ is the Substance")). He is the true feast, the Lamb of God whose sacrifice inaugurates the New Covenant, making obsolete the need for old rituals and inviting all to partake in the eternal banquet of His grace ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). David's hiding, therefore, points to the sovereign plan of God to protect His chosen one and bring about salvation through a King who first suffered and was "hidden" before His glorious revelation at the resurrection and ascension.

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

Proverbs 21:3

¶ To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Psalms 50:16

¶ But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or [that] thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

Psalms 50:21

These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.

Proverbs 17:1

¶ Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife.

Proverbs 15:17

Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Isaiah 1:11

To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.