1 Samuel 20:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} said {H559} unto Jonathan {H3083}, Behold, to morrow {H4279} is the new moon {H2320}, and I should not fail {H3427} to sit {H3427} with the king {H4428} at meat {H398}: but let me go {H7971}, that I may hide {H5641} myself in the field {H7704} unto the third {H7992} day at even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David answered Y'honatan, "Look, tomorrow is Rosh-Hodesh, and I ought to be dining with the king. Instead, let me go and hide myself in the countryside until evening of the third day.

Berean Standard Bible

So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. Instead, let me go and hide in the field until the third evening from now.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:5 captures David's desperate situation and his strategic proposal to Jonathan to ascertain King Saul's true intentions. Facing escalating threats to his life, David explains his expected presence at the upcoming new moon feast at the royal court and outlines his plan to absent himself, hiding in the field for three days to observe Saul's reaction through Jonathan's report. This verse highlights David's wisdom, his reliance on Jonathan's unwavering loyalty, and the profound danger he faces from the paranoid king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical turning point following a series of increasingly violent attempts by King Saul to kill David, detailed in [1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul's Attempts on David's Life"). Jonathan had previously intervened on David's behalf, successfully (though temporarily) reconciling them ([1 Samuel 19:1-7](/1_samuel/19-1 "1 Samuel 19:1-7 - Jonathan Intercedes for David")). However, Saul's jealousy and demonic oppression resurfaced, forcing David to flee again ([1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul's Renewed Attempts")). Chapter 20 opens with David seeking Jonathan to understand Saul's persistent animosity, leading directly to David's proposed test in verse 5. This conversation sets the stage for the elaborate signal system and Jonathan's ultimate confirmation of Saul's murderous intent, culminating in David's permanent flight from the court.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "new moon" (Rosh Chodesh) was a significant religious and social observance in ancient Israel. It marked the beginning of each lunar month and was celebrated with special sacrifices ([Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11-15 - New Moon Offerings")) and often a communal meal. Kings and prominent figures were expected to attend these feasts, making David's absence particularly noticeable. As Saul's son-in-law and a celebrated military commander, David held a high position at court, and his presence at the royal table was customary. The concept of "hiding" in the field was a practical necessity for fugitives, utilizing the natural landscape for concealment. The royal court was a place of both honor and immense danger, where a king's favor or disfavor could mean life or death, especially for someone like David, who was perceived as a rival to the throne.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores the theme of **imminent danger** to David's life, necessitating a strategic and proactive response rather than passive waiting. It highlights David's **strategic planning and discernment**, as he devises a test to confirm Saul's intentions, demonstrating wisdom in navigating a perilous situation. Central to [1 Samuel 20](/1_samuel/20 "1 Samuel 20 - David and Jonathan's Covenant") is the theme of **covenant friendship** between David and Jonathan, a bond so strong it transcends familial loyalty and political allegiance. Jonathan's willingness to risk his own standing and safety for David's sake, as seen in his agreement to the plan, epitomizes this theme, echoing their initial covenant in [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - David and Jonathan's Covenant"). Finally, David's decision to prioritize his survival over the expected **observance of custom** (sitting at the king's table) reveals a practical wisdom and reliance on God's protection in the face of extreme threat.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **new moon (Hebrew, חֹדֶשׁ _chodesh_):** This term refers to the first day of the lunar month, which was observed as a significant religious festival in Israel. It involved special sacrifices and was a time for communal gathering and feasting, often including the king and his court. David's expected presence at this specific event underscores his prominent position and the social significance of his potential absence.
* **meat (Hebrew, לֶחֶם _lechem_):** While the KJV translates this as "meat," the Hebrew word _lechem_ more broadly means "bread" or "food" in general, often referring to a meal. Thus, David's phrase "sit with the king at meat" simply means to share a meal at the royal table, not specifically animal flesh.
* **hide myself (Hebrew, נִסְתַּרְתִּי _nistarti_):** This verb, derived from the root meaning "to hide" or "to be concealed," emphasizes David's vulnerable state and the necessity of his evasion. It conveys a sense of deliberate, protective concealment, highlighting the severity of the threat from Saul that forces David, a national hero, into hiding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow [is] the new moon":** This clause initiates the crucial dialogue between David and Jonathan, immediately establishing the temporal context of the upcoming new moon festival. David highlights the significance of the timing, as this event will serve as the backdrop for testing Saul's intentions.
* **"and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat":** David acknowledges his expected duty and customary place at the royal table during this important feast. This statement confirms his high status and the social expectation of his presence, making his proposed absence a deliberate and noticeable act.
* **"but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third [day] at even":** This is David's strategic proposal. He intends to absent himself from the feast and conceal himself in the open field, indicating the extreme measures he must take for his safety. The duration, "unto the third day at even," suggests a period long enough to observe Saul's consistent reaction and ensure a thorough assessment of the danger.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and emotional weight. **Foreshadowing** is evident as David's decision to "hide myself in the field" directly foreshadows his prolonged life as a fugitive, constantly evading Saul's pursuit throughout the subsequent chapters. There is a strong sense of **irony** in the situation: David, the divinely chosen future king and national hero, is forced to hide from the current king he has faithfully served and whose life he has spared. The entire chapter is driven by **dialogue**, with this verse being the opening of David's crucial proposition, allowing the reader direct insight into the characters' thoughts and plans. Finally, a stark **contrast** is drawn between David's expected public duty at a royal feast and the necessary, life-saving act of private concealment, highlighting the tension between custom and survival.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 20:5 illustrates the interplay between divine providence and human agency in the life of faith. While God had already designated David as king, David actively engages in strategic planning and seeks wisdom to navigate the immediate dangers, demonstrating that faith does not negate the need for practical discernment and action. This verse also profoundly speaks to the value of loyal, covenantal friendship, reflecting the biblical principle that "a friend loves at all times" ([Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")). David's reliance on Jonathan underscores the importance of trusted allies in times of trial, mirroring the concept of iron sharpening iron ([Proverbs 27:17](/proverbs/27-17 "Proverbs 27:17 - Iron Sharpens Iron")). The "new moon" feast, a significant religious observance, also connects to the broader Old Testament sacrificial system, which pointed forward to a greater fulfillment.

* [1 Samuel 18:3](/1_samuel/18-3 "1 Samuel 18:3 - David and Jonathan's Covenant")
* [Numbers 28:11](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11 - New Moon Offerings")
* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's predicament in 1 Samuel 20:5 offers profound insights for navigating challenging relationships and discerning dangerous situations in our own lives. His proactive approach to testing Saul's intentions, rather than passively waiting for disaster, reminds us of the importance of spiritual discernment and practical wisdom. We are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves")), understanding when to engage and when to withdraw for safety or strategic advantage. Furthermore, David's reliance on Jonathan exemplifies the invaluable role of true, loyal friendships in times of crisis. These are the friends who, like Jonathan, are willing to stand with us, even at personal cost, and help us navigate life's most treacherous paths. Sometimes, wisdom dictates that adherence to rigid custom or expectation must yield to the higher priority of personal safety or a greater purpose, especially when lives or spiritual well-being are at stake.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern when to confront a difficult situation and when to strategically withdraw or seek alternative solutions, as David did?**
* **What qualities do I seek in my closest friendships, and how can I cultivate relationships that offer the kind of loyal support David received from Jonathan?**
* **Are there times when prioritizing personal safety or wisdom requires deviating from expected duties or social norms? How do I make such decisions with integrity?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "new moon" feast so important, and why was David's presence expected?**

Answer: The "new moon" (Rosh Chodesh) was a significant religious and social observance in ancient Israel, marking the beginning of each new lunar month. It was celebrated with special sacrifices and often included a communal feast. It was a time for corporate worship and fellowship, and attendance at such royal feasts was expected for prominent members of the king's court. As King Saul's son-in-law, a celebrated military commander, and a high-ranking official, David held a customary place at the royal table. His absence from such a public and important event would be immediately noticeable and would serve as a clear indicator of his relationship with the king, which David intended to test. This tradition of observing new moons is mentioned in various Old Testament texts, such as [Numbers 28:11](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11 - New Moon Offerings") and [1 Chronicles 23:31](/1_chronicles/23-31 "1 Chronicles 23:31 - Priestly Duties").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 20:5, with David's desperate need to hide from a murderous king, powerfully foreshadows the experience of Jesus Christ. Just as David, the anointed future king, was rejected and pursued by Saul, so too was Jesus, the true King of Israel, rejected by His own people and pursued by those in power who sought His life ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). David's strategic decision to "hide myself in the field" to avoid Saul's wrath finds echoes in Christ's own strategic withdrawals from those who sought to harm Him or force His hand prematurely ([John 6:15](/john/6-15 "John 6:15 - Jesus Withdraws to the Mountain"); [Matthew 12:15](/matthew/12-15 "Matthew 12:15 - Jesus Withdraws from the Pharisees")). Ultimately, David's concealment points to Christ's ultimate "hiding" in the tomb, a temporary concealment that led to His glorious resurrection and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "new moon" feast, part of the Old Covenant's ceremonial law, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is our true "new beginning" and the substance to which all shadows pointed ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow of Things to Come")). Through His sacrifice, He inaugurated a new covenant, rendering the old observances obsolete ([Hebrews 8:13](/hebrews/8-13 "Hebrews 8:13 - The New Covenant")). David's reliance on Jonathan's perfect loyalty and intercession also prefigures Christ's perfect friendship and His role as our faithful advocate and intercessor before the Father ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")).

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.