1 Samuel 20:34

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Jonathan {H3083} arose {H6965} from the table {H7979} in fierce {H2750} anger {H639}, and did eat {H398} no meat {H3899} the second {H8145} day {H3117} of the month {H2320}: for he was grieved {H6087} for David {H1732}, because his father {H1} had done him shame {H3637}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'honatan got up from the table in a fury, and he ate no food the second day of the month, both because he was upset over David and because his father had put him to shame.

Berean Standard Bible

Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger and did not eat any food that second day of the month, for he was grieved by his father’s shameful treatment of David.

American Standard Version

So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:34 vividly portrays Jonathan's profound emotional and moral reaction to King Saul's escalating and murderous rage against David during the new moon feast. This pivotal moment underscores Jonathan's unwavering loyalty to David, his deep grief over David's unjust persecution, and his overwhelming shame at Saul's public display of tyrannical and ungodly behavior, which ultimately confirms David's need to flee and solidifies the tragic trajectory of Saul's reign, leading to the inevitable separation of David from the royal court.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic culmination of a carefully orchestrated plan by David and Jonathan to ascertain King Saul's true intentions toward David. Following Saul's repeated attempts on David's life, David had sought Jonathan's counsel, and together they devised a test involving David's absence from the royal table during the new moon feast. The preceding narrative details Saul's volatile reaction to David's absence, his direct confrontation with Jonathan, and his shocking attempt to kill his own son by casting a javelin at him, as described in [1 Samuel 20:33](/1_samuel/20-33 "1 Samuel 20:33 - Saul's Attempt on Jonathan's Life"). Jonathan's response in verse 34 is the immediate and decisive consequence of witnessing his father's unhinged and murderous intent, confirming David's worst fears and irrevocably sealing their separation. It marks the point of no return for Saul's relationship with David and highlights the depth of Jonathan's commitment to his friend.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The new moon feast was a significant monthly religious and social observance in ancient Israel, typically involving a communal meal at the king's table, as indicated in [1 Samuel 20:5](/1_samuel/20-5 "1 Samuel 20:5 - David's Plan for the New Moon Feast"). David's expected presence and Saul's furious reaction to his absence underscore the public nature of the royal court and the king's absolute authority. Saul's act of casting a javelin at his own son, especially in such a public setting, was an extreme violation of patriarchal norms and a shocking display of uncontrolled fury, indicative of his severe mental and spiritual deterioration. Jonathan's subsequent refusal to eat was a culturally recognized and powerful sign of deep distress, mourning, protest, or spiritual anguish, conveying the profound severity of his emotional and moral condemnation of his father's actions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Samuel. It profoundly illustrates the theme of **unwavering loyalty and covenant friendship**, as Jonathan prioritizes his sacred bond with David over his own dynastic ambitions and familial ties, demonstrating a commitment to righteousness that transcends political expediency and personal gain. It further accentuates the **tragic degeneration of King Saul**, whose "fierce anger" and willingness to harm his own son reveal a mind consumed by jealousy, paranoia, and a profound rejection of God's will, a trajectory first clearly seen in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - God Rejects Saul for Disobedience"). Finally, it emphasizes the **cost of sin and injustice**, as Jonathan experiences profound grief for David's suffering and intense shame for his father's actions, which brought public disgrace upon the royal house and exposed the moral corruption at the heart of Saul's kingship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fierce (Hebrew, _chŏrîy'_):** From H2750, this word describes "a burning (i.e. intense) anger." In this context, it conveys Jonathan's intense, hot, and uncontrolled righteous indignation. His anger is not a petty outburst but a deep moral outrage stemming from the profound injustice and moral depravity displayed by his father. It signifies the depth of his conviction regarding Saul's sin and the imminent danger David faced.
* **grieved (Hebrew, _ʻâtsab'_):** From H6087, this term means "to worry, pain or anger; displease, grieve, hurt, make, be sorry, vex." Jonathan's grief is a deep emotional sorrow, not merely for David's immediate plight, but also for the profound brokenness of his family and the tragic state of the kingdom under Saul's increasingly unstable rule. It speaks to a profound empathy for David's suffering and a sense of loss for what should have been a harmonious royal household.
* **shame (Hebrew, _kâlam'_):** From H3637, this word signifies "to taunt or insult; be (make) ashamed, blush, be confounded, be put to confusion, hurt, reproach, (do, put to) shame." Jonathan felt a deep personal and public dishonor because of his father's actions. Saul's unkingly and ungodly behavior brought immense disgrace upon himself, his family, and the very institution of the monarchy, causing Jonathan profound personal embarrassment and moral distress in front of the court.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger":** Jonathan's immediate and decisive action of leaving the feast signifies his strong disapproval and moral outrage. His "fierce anger" is a righteous response to the injustice and the public display of Saul's murderous intent, not a childish tantrum. It marks a definitive break with the pretense of normalcy at the royal table, a public act of disassociation from his father's sin.
* **"and did eat no meat the second day of the month":** This act of fasting or refusing to eat was a culturally significant gesture. It symbolized deep mourning, protest, or spiritual distress. Jonathan's hunger strike underscores the severity of his emotional turmoil and his profound grief, not only for David but also for the tragic state of affairs within his own family and the kingdom. It was a public declaration of his inner turmoil and condemnation of Saul's behavior.
* **"for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame":** This clause provides the dual motivation for Jonathan's extreme reaction. His primary concern was his deep sorrow and empathy for David, who was being unjustly persecuted and whose life was in immediate danger. Simultaneously, he felt immense personal and familial shame due to Saul's unhinged, unkingly, and disgraceful behavior. Saul's actions brought dishonor upon Jonathan and the royal house, revealing the king's moral corruption to all present.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Symbolism** is evident in Jonathan's refusal to eat, which is not merely a physical act but a potent symbolic expression of deep grief, protest, and moral condemnation. This act communicates his inner turmoil and his definitive break from complicity with his father's evil. The narrative also utilizes **Contrast**, starkly juxtaposing Jonathan's unwavering loyalty, integrity, and selflessness against Saul's escalating paranoia, jealousy, and tyrannical behavior. This contrast highlights the moral chasm that has opened between father and son, emphasizing Jonathan's righteous character. Furthermore, the description of Saul's "fierce anger" and Jonathan's "grief" and "shame" relies on vivid **Emotional Language** to convey the intense psychological and relational stakes of the moment, drawing the reader into the profound human drama unfolding within the royal court.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonathan's righteous anger and profound grief in this verse are deeply theological. They reflect a heart aligned with God's justice, mourning the injustice inflicted upon God's chosen one, David, and lamenting the spiritual decay of Saul, God's rejected king. Jonathan's loyalty to David, even at the cost of his own inheritance, foreshadows the ultimate divine loyalty of God to His chosen king, and the eventual establishment of David's eternal dynasty. His willingness to suffer with David, and to bear the shame of his father's sin, speaks to the sacrificial nature of true love and covenant faithfulness, echoing themes of redemptive suffering and the cost of discipleship.

* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, Weep with Those Who Weep")
* [Psalm 42:3](/psalm/42-3 "Psalm 42:3 - My Tears Have Been My Food")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonathan's response in 1 Samuel 20:34 offers a profound lesson in integrity, loyalty, and the righteous response to injustice. His anger was not a selfish outburst but a holy indignation against the sin and cruelty displayed by his father. His grief was not self-pity but deep empathy for his friend and sorrow over the moral decay of his own family and the kingdom. In a world often characterized by self-preservation, political expediency, and moral compromise, Jonathan stands as a beacon of unwavering faithfulness. He demonstrates that true friendship demands costly commitment and that righteous anger, properly directed, can be a catalyst for moral clarity and courageous action. We are called to cultivate such loyalty, to mourn over injustice, and to stand against evil, even when it comes from unexpected or powerful sources. His actions challenge us to consider where our ultimate loyalties truly lie and whether we are willing to bear personal cost for the sake of truth and righteousness, prioritizing God's will above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jonathan's "fierce anger" teach us about righteous indignation in the face of injustice, and how can we express it constructively?**
* **How does Jonathan's grief and shame for his father's actions challenge our own responses to sin and moral decay within our families, communities, or institutions?**
* **In what ways can we emulate Jonathan's unwavering loyalty to friends and to what is right, even when it comes at a significant personal cost or threatens our own comfort?**
* **How might Jonathan's refusal to eat serve as a model for expressing deep spiritual or moral distress and taking a stand in our own lives?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jonathan's refusal to eat ("did eat no meat") in this context?**

Answer: Jonathan's refusal to eat meat, particularly on the second day of the new moon feast, is highly significant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, fasting or abstaining from food was a common and powerful expression of deep emotional distress, mourning, protest, or spiritual anguish. It was not merely a physical act but a public and symbolic declaration of one's inner state. In this instance, it signifies Jonathan's profound grief for David's plight, his moral outrage at his father Saul's unhinged and murderous behavior, and the immense shame he felt for the disgrace Saul brought upon their family and the royal house. By refusing to partake in the communal meal, Jonathan publicly disassociated himself from Saul's actions and expressed his solidarity with David, underscoring the severity of the situation and the depth of his emotional and moral condemnation. This act was a clear signal to all present that something fundamentally broken had occurred at the king's table, demonstrating a moral conviction that transcended social obligation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonathan's self-sacrificial loyalty and righteous indignation in [1 Samuel 20:34](/1_samuel/20-34 "1 Samuel 20:34 - Jonathan's Grief and Shame") powerfully foreshadow the ultimate friend and deliverer, Jesus Christ. Jonathan, the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, willingly relinquishes his claim and endangers his own life to protect David, God's anointed king. This mirrors Christ, who, though eternally King and heir of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")), "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")), laying down His life for His friends ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")) and indeed for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Jonathan's grief for David's unjust suffering resonates with Christ's empathy for humanity's suffering and His own bearing of our griefs and sorrows, becoming a "man of sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:3-4](/isaiah/53-3-4 "Isaiah 53:3-4 - Man of Sorrows")). Furthermore, Jonathan's shame over his father's sin finds its ultimate resolution in Christ, who, though sinless, bore our shame and disgrace on the cross ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")), becoming a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Jonathan's unwavering commitment to David, the type of the coming King, points us to the perfect, unfailing covenant love of God manifested in Jesus, who secures an eternal kingdom not through human might or inheritance, but through His perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice, establishing a spiritual lineage that transcends earthly dynasties.

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

Mark 3:5

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Ecclesiastes 7:20

For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Ephesians 4:26

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: