TRV
Translation
King James Version
Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
Complete Jewish Bible
However, Sha'ul didn't say anything that day; because he thought, "Something has happened to him, he is unclean. Yes, that's it, he isn't clean."
Berean Standard Bible
Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.”
American Standard Version
Nevertheless Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
World English Bible Messianic
Nevertheless Saul didn’t say anything that day: for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Saul sayde nothing that day: for hee thought, Some thing hath befallen him, though he were cleane, or els becaus he was not purified.
Young's Literal Translation
And Saul hath not spoken anything on that day, for he said, `It is an accident; he is not clean--surely not clean.'
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In the KJVVerse 7,757 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Samuel 20 verses 24–34
24 ¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
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.
26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
Jonathan is here effectually convinced of that which he was so loth to believe, that his father had an implacable enmity to David, and would certainly be the death of him if it were in his power; and he had like to have paid very dearly himself for the conviction.
I. David is missed from the feast on the first day, but nothing is said of him. The king sat upon his seat, to feast upon the peace-offerings as at other times (Sa1 20:25), and yet had his heart as full of envy and malice against David as it could hold. He should first have been reconciled to him, and then have come and offered his gift; but, instead of that, he hoped, at this feast, to drink the blood of David. What an abomination was that sacrifice which was brought with such a wicked mind as this! Pro 21:27. When the king came to take his seat Jonathan arose, in reverence to him both as a father and as his sovereign; every one knew his place, but David's was empty. It did not use to be so. None more content than he in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent now but that he must have come at the peril of his life; self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In imminent peril present opportunities may be waived, nay, we ought not to throw ourselves into the mouth of danger. Christ himself absconded often, till he knew that his hour had come. But that day Saul took no notice that he missed David, but said within himself, "Surely he is not clean, Sa1 20:26. Some ceremonial pollution has befallen him, which forbids him to eat of the holy things till he has washed his clothes, and bathed his flesh in water, and been unclean until the evening." Saul knew what conscience David made of the law, and that he would rather keep away from the holy feast than come in his uncleanness. Blessed be God, no uncleanness is now a restraint upon us, but what we may by faith and repentance be washed from in the fountain opened, Psa 26:6.
II. He is enquired for the second day, Sa1 20:27. Saul asked Jonathan, who he knew was his confidant, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat? He was his own son by marriage, but he calls him in disdain, the son of Jesse. He asks for him as if he were not pleased that he should be absent from a religious feast; and so it should be example to masters of families to see to it that those under their charge be not absent from the worship of God, either in public or in the family. It is a bad thing for us, except in case of necessity, to omit an opportunity of statedly attending on God in solemn ordinances. Thomas lost a sight of Christ by being once absent from a meeting of the disciples. But that which displeased Saul was that hereby he missed the opportunity he expected of doing David a mischief.
III. Jonathan makes his excuse, Sa1 20:28, Sa1 20:29. 1. That he was absent upon a good occasion, keeping the feast in another place, though not here, sent for by his elder brother, who was now more respectful to him than he had been (Sa1 17:28), and that he had gone to pay his respects to his relations, for the keeping up of brotherly love; and no master would deny a servant liberty to do that in due time. He pleads, 2. That he did not go without leave humbly asked and obtained from Jonathan, who, as his superior officer, was proper to be applied to for it. Thus he represents David as not wanting in any instance of respect and duty to the government.
IV. Saul hereupon breaks out into a most extravagant passion, and rages like a lion disappointed of his prey. David was out of his reach, but he falls upon Jonathan for his sake (Sa1 20:30, Sa1 20:31), gives him base language, not fit for a gentleman, a prince, to give to any man, especially his own son, heir apparent to his crown, a son that served him, the greatest stay and ornament of his family, before a great deal of company, at a feast, when all should be in good humour, at a sacred feast, by which all irregular passions should be mortified and subdued; yet he does in effect call him, 1. A bastard: Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman; that is, according to the foolish filthy language of men's brutish passion now a day, "Thou son of a whore." He tells him he was born to the confusion of his mother, that is, he had given the world cause to suspect that he was not the legitimate son of Saul, because he loved him whom Saul hated and supported him who would be the destruction of their family. 2. A traitor: Thou son of a perverse rebellion (so the word is), that is, "thou perverse rebel." At other times he reckoned no counsellor or commander that he had more trusty and well-beloved than Jonathan; yet now in this passion he represents him as dangerous to his crown and life. 3. A fool: Thou hast chosen the son of Jesse for thy friend to thy own confusion, for while he lives thou shalt never be established. Jonathan indeed did wisely and well for himself and family to secure an interest in David, whom Heaven had destined to the throne, yet, for this, he is branded as most impolitic. It is good taking God's people for our people and going with those that have him with them. It will prove to our advantage at last, however for the present it may be thought a disparagement, and a prejudice to our secular interest. It is probable Saul knew that David was anointed to the kingdom by the same hand that anointed him, and then not Jonathan, but himself, was the fool, to think to defeat the counsels of God. Yet nothing will serve him but David must die, and Jonathan must fetch him to execution. See how ill Saul's passion looks, and let it warn us against the indulgence of any thing like it in ourselves. Anger is madness, and he that hates his brother is a murderer.
V. Jonathan is sorely grieved and put into disorder by his father's barbarous passion, and the more because he had hoped better things, Sa1 20:2. He was troubled for his father, that he should be such a brute, troubled for his friend, whom he knew to be a friend of God, that he should be so basely abused; he was grieved for David (Sa1 20:34), and troubled for himself too, because his father had done him shame, and, though most unjustly, yet he must submit to it. One would pity Jonathan to see how he was put, 1. Into the peril of sin. Much ado that wise and good man had to keep his temper, upon such a provocation as this. His father's reflections upon himself made no return to; it becomes inferiors to bear with meekness and silence the contempts put upon them in wrath and passion. When thou art the anvil lie thou still. But his dooming David to die he could not bear: to that he replied with some heat (Sa1 20:32), Wherefore shall he be slain? What has he done? Generous spirits can much more easily bear to be abused themselves than to hear their friends abused. 2. Into the peril of death. Saul was now so outrageous that he threw his javelin at Jonathan, Sa1 20:33. He seemed to be in great care (Sa1 20:31) than Jonathan should be established in his kingdom, and yet now he himself aims at his life. What fools, what savage beasts and worse does anger make men! How necessary it is to put a hook in its nose and a bridle in its jaws! Jonathan was fully satisfied that evil was determined against David, which put him out of frame exceedingly: he rose from table, thinking it high time when his life was struck at, and would eat no meat, for they were not to eat of the holy things in their mourning. All the guests, we may suppose, were discomposed, and the mirth of the feast was spoiled. He that is cruel troubles his own flesh, Pro 11:17.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–34. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
He was thinking that perhaps it had happened to him, etc. For the Jews thought that Jesus was neither clean nor purified from sins because he had violated the Sabbath and done other things contrary to the decrees of the law or rather of their own traditions, and taught them as well. Therefore, they rightly found nothing in the Scriptures that could be recorded about him. They thought that the disciples of Christ were not clean because they saw that they placed the righteousness of faith before the works and purifications of the law. And so they did not consider it significant that they had not come with them to sacrifices, for they utterly detested them in their hearts due to their lifestyle differences, or even had excommunicated them from the synagogue.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:26 captures King Saul's initial, calculated reaction to David's conspicuous absence from the New Moon feast. Rather than confronting the unsettling truth of David's deliberate evasion, Saul rationalizes his empty seat by assuming David is ritually unclean. This verse subtly reveals Saul's deep-seated self-deception and the escalating, yet momentarily suppressed, tension between him and David, setting the stage for the king's violent outburst that would soon follow.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning and psychological depth. Dramatic Irony is prominently featured, as the audience is fully aware of David's deliberate absence and the true, life-threatening reason behind it (Jonathan's warning and Saul's murderous intent), while Saul remains either genuinely oblivious or willfully ignorant, rationalizing the situation with a false premise. The Repetition of "he is not clean; surely he is not clean" serves to emphasize Saul's internal conviction and his firm, albeit mistaken, grasp on this rationalization. This repetition underscores his self-deception and the psychological process by which he avoids the truth, reinforcing his chosen delusion. Furthermore, Saul's initial silence and misinterpretation of David's absence function as powerful Foreshadowing, building palpable tension and hinting at the explosive confrontation that will inevitably erupt on the following day, revealing the full extent of his irrational rage and the irreversible break between him and David.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Saul's self-deception and his use of ritual purity as a convenient, albeit false, explanation for David's absence resonate with broader biblical themes concerning the human heart's capacity for rationalization and spiritual blindness. His focus on external, ritualistic explanations, while harboring deep-seated jealousy and murderous intent, foreshadows the hypocrisy that Jesus would later condemn in the religious leaders of His day. This passage serves as a poignant reminder that true purity is not merely external adherence to laws or rituals, but an internal state of the heart and motives. Saul's inability or unwillingness to confront his own sin and his chosen path of self-justification ultimately led to his tragic downfall, illustrating the profound danger of an unregenerate heart that prefers comforting lies to uncomfortable truths, ultimately rejecting God's chosen path.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's behavior in this verse serves as a potent mirror for our own human tendencies toward self-deception and rationalization. How often do we, like Saul, jump to convenient assumptions about others, especially when their actions are inconvenient or challenge our own narratives? His rationalization of David's absence with a seemingly legitimate religious reason, while harboring deep-seated jealousy and hatred, warns us against the insidious danger of using outward circumstances or even spiritual pretexts to mask deeper, less noble motives. This passage calls us to honest introspection: Do we courageously confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our relationships, or do we rationalize and deceive ourselves, allowing resentment, unaddressed issues, and bitterness to fester? Saul's initial silence, a brewing storm before the outburst, also reminds us to be attuned to the unspoken tensions and unaddressed issues in our lives and relationships, recognizing that such things, if left unexamined, often lead to greater conflict and spiritual decay. True spiritual health requires an honest heart before God and others.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was David absent from the New Moon feast?
Answer: David's absence was not accidental or due to ritual impurity, as Saul assumed. It was a deliberate, pre-arranged test with Jonathan to ascertain Saul's true intentions towards David. Jonathan had warned David of Saul's murderous plans, and David was in hiding, using his absence from the feast as a signal to reveal Saul's disposition, as described in 1 Samuel 20:5-7.
What does "not clean" mean in this context?
Answer: In this context, "not clean" refers to a state of ritual impurity (ṭame in Hebrew) according to the Mosaic Law. Various conditions, such as contact with a dead body, certain bodily discharges, or other specified events, could render a person ritually unclean, temporarily preventing their participation in communal meals, sacrifices, or other sacred activities. Saul's assumption was a convenient, culturally acceptable, but ultimately false, explanation for David's absence, allowing him to avoid the truth of David's fear of him.
How does this verse show Saul's character?
Answer: This verse is highly revealing of Saul's deteriorating character. It demonstrates his paranoia, as he immediately suspects David's absence is due to some negative circumstance rather than considering David's deliberate evasion. More significantly, it highlights his profound self-deception and tendency to rationalize, choosing to believe a convenient lie (ritual impurity) over the painful truth that David is avoiding him because of Saul's own murderous intent. His initial silence also suggests a moment of internal calculation or suppressed rage, foreshadowing his later violent outburst against Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 20:30-34, confirming his unsuitability for kingship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Saul's misjudgment of David, his focus on external ritual purity while harboring inner corruption, and his ultimate rejection of God's anointed king, find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Saul's assumption about David's ritual impurity foreshadows the legalistic mindset prevalent during Jesus' earthly ministry, where outward adherence to the law often masked inward hypocrisy and a failure to grasp the heart of God's commands. Just as Saul failed to recognize the true character and divine anointing of David, the religious leaders of Jesus' day failed to recognize their Messiah, often accusing Him of being "unclean" or associating with "unclean" people (Matthew 9:11; Mark 7:1-5). Jesus, however, came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, revealing that true defilement comes not from external contact but from within the heart (Matthew 15:1-20). He is the ultimate "clean" sacrifice, the spotless Lamb of God, whose perfect obedience and atoning death make us truly clean, not by ritual observance but by faith in His blood (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7). Saul's tragic rejection of David, God's chosen king, ultimately points to the world's rejection of Christ, the true King, who was "in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him" (John 1:10-11). In Christ, we find the true cleansing and the perfect King whom Saul, blinded by his own sin, could not receive.