1 Samuel 20:6

KJV

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked [leave] of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for [there is] a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

KJV (with Strong's)

If thy father {H1} at all {H6485} miss {H6485} me, then say {H559}, David {H1732} earnestly {H7592} asked {H7592} leave of me that he might run {H7323} to Bethlehem {H1035} his city {H5892}: for there is a yearly {H3117} sacrifice {H2077} there for all the family {H4940}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If your father misses me at all, say, 'David begged me to let him hurry to Beit-Lechem, his city; because it's the annual sacrifice there for his whole family.'

Berean Standard Bible

If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’

American Standard Version

If thy father miss me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 20:6 unveils a critical moment in the life of David, detailing the carefully constructed alibi he instructs Jonathan to present to King Saul. This verse is central to a strategic plan devised by David and Jonathan to ascertain the true depth of Saul's murderous intent. David's proposed excuse—that he urgently sought leave to attend a mandatory yearly family sacrifice in his hometown of Bethlehem—is a plausible and culturally resonant reason for his absence from the king's new moon feast, designed to provoke a clear reaction from Saul and reveal his true disposition towards David.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the intense narrative of David's flight from King Saul, following Saul's repeated attempts on David's life (e.g., [1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "Saul's Spear Throws at David")). Chapter 20 opens with David seeking Jonathan's counsel, expressing his fear that "there is but a step between me and death" ([1 Samuel 20:3](/1_samuel/20-3 "David's Fear of Death")). Jonathan, despite his father's hostility, remains fiercely loyal to David, pledging to discover Saul's intentions. The plan outlined in [1 Samuel 20:5-7](/1_samuel/20-5 "Jonathan's Plan to Test Saul") involves David's conspicuous absence from the king's table during the New Moon festival, a significant royal and religious observance. David's alibi in verse 6 is the specific test: if Saul reacts with anger to this seemingly innocent and religiously sanctioned absence, it confirms his malicious intent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "yearly sacrifice" mentioned in Bethlehem speaks to the deeply ingrained religious and social customs of ancient Israel. Family and clan sacrifices were not merely private rituals but significant communal gatherings that reinforced tribal identity, familial bonds, and covenant loyalty. Attending such an event, especially in one's ancestral city, was a legitimate and compelling reason for absence from other duties. The New Moon festival was also a significant religious observance, often marked by communal feasting and royal attendance, making David's absence from Saul's table particularly noticeable. Kings were expected to host and preside over such feasts, and the absence of a prominent figure like David would certainly draw attention, providing the perfect scenario for Jonathan to observe Saul's reaction.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully underscores the theme of **Loyalty and Friendship**, exemplified by Jonathan's unwavering commitment to David, even at immense personal risk and in direct opposition to his own father, the king. This loyalty is a profound counterpoint to Saul's escalating **Paranoia and Jealousy**, which drives the entire conflict and forces David into hiding. The use of **Strategic Deception** is also a prominent theme, raising complex ethical questions about the justification of untruths in life-threatening situations, where survival necessitates cunning. Furthermore, the reliance on **Religious and Cultural Customs** (the family sacrifice) highlights how deeply intertwined religious practice was with daily life and social interaction in ancient Israel, providing a plausible cover for David's absence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **נִשְׁאֹל נִשְׁאַל (Hebrew, _nish'ol nish'al'_):** Translated as "earnestly asked leave" (KJV) or "begged permission" (NIV), this is an intensive verbal construction in Hebrew, specifically an infinitive absolute followed by the finite verb from the root שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning "to ask" or "to inquire." This grammatical structure serves to emphasize the verb's action, conveying a sense of urgency, sincerity, and earnestness. It suggests that David's supposed request was not a casual one but a fervent plea, making the alibi more convincing and difficult for Saul to dismiss without revealing his true, malevolent intentions.
#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If thy father at all miss me":** This phrase sets the condition for Jonathan's action. It acknowledges the high probability that David's absence from the king's table during the New Moon feast would be noticed by Saul, given David's prominent position and Saul's obsessive focus on him. The "at all" emphasizes the certainty of Saul's observation.
* **"then say, David earnestly asked [leave] of me":** This is Jonathan's direct instruction to deliver the fabricated excuse. The phrase "earnestly asked leave" (as analyzed above) is crucial for lending credibility to the alibi, portraying David's desire to attend the family sacrifice as a pressing and unavoidable obligation. Jonathan's role as the intermediary is vital, as his close relationship with David and his position as the king's son would make his testimony believable.
* **"that he might run to Bethlehem his city":** Bethlehem is identified as David's ancestral home, reinforcing the authenticity of the family sacrifice. The word "run" (רוּץ, _ruts_) suggests urgency and haste, further supporting the idea that David was eager and compelled to attend this important family event, implying it was not a casual departure but a necessary and immediate journey.
* **"for [there is] a yearly sacrifice there for all the family":** This provides the specific, culturally acceptable reason for David's supposed urgent departure. The "yearly sacrifice" was a legitimate and significant religious and social custom. The phrase "for all the family" highlights the communal and obligatory nature of the event, making it an undeniable reason for David's absence and a plausible excuse that even Saul, despite his paranoia, would find difficult to openly challenge without appearing to disrespect a sacred family tradition.
#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several key literary devices. **Dialogue** is central, as the entire plan unfolds through the strategic conversation between David and Jonathan, highlighting their deep bond and collaborative effort. The instruction itself is a form of **Strategic Deception**, a calculated untruth designed to achieve a specific, life-saving outcome. This deception creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience is privy to the true reason for David's absence (fear of Saul's murderous intent), while Saul is meant to believe the fabricated story. The "yearly sacrifice" serves as a **Motif** of religious custom, grounding the deception in a culturally plausible reality. Furthermore, the entire scenario functions as a **Test** or **Ordeal**, where Saul's reaction will serve as a definitive revelation of his true intentions, thereby foreshadowing the escalating conflict and David's continued flight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 20:6, while depicting an act of deception, underscores the complex interplay of human agency, divine providence, and the ethics of survival in a fallen world. It highlights the profound value of loyal friendship as a means of divine protection, even when human means are imperfect. The narrative does not explicitly endorse the deception but presents it as a pragmatic necessity in a desperate situation, forcing us to grapple with the tension between absolute truthfulness and the preservation of life. Ultimately, it demonstrates how God can work through human strategies, even flawed ones, to protect His chosen instruments and advance His sovereign plan for the kingdom.

* [1 Samuel 18:1-4](/1_samuel/18-1 "Jonathan's Covenant with David")
* [Psalm 18:1-3](/psalm/18-1 "The Lord is My Rock and My Fortress")
* [Exodus 1:15-21](/exodus/1-15 "The Hebrew Midwives Defy Pharaoh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage challenges us to consider the complexities of navigating difficult and even dangerous relationships, particularly when confronted with hostility or injustice. While outright deception is generally contrary to biblical principles of truthfulness, this narrative reminds us that life often presents morally ambiguous situations where the lines between right and wrong can seem blurred. It prompts us to seek divine wisdom in discerning how to act faithfully while also protecting ourselves and those we love. More profoundly, it celebrates the power and beauty of true friendship—a bond so strong that one friend is willing to risk everything for the other. For believers, this can be a call to cultivate such loyal relationships, to be a steadfast friend to others, and to recognize that God often provides protection and guidance through the faithful actions of those around us. It also serves as a poignant reminder that even in the midst of human scheming and fear, God's sovereign hand is at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do David and Jonathan's actions challenge or affirm your understanding of biblical ethics, particularly regarding truthfulness in desperate situations?**
* **In what ways does Jonathan's loyalty to David reflect the kind of friendship God calls us to cultivate?**
* **When have you faced a situation where you felt compelled to use unconventional means to protect yourself or others? How did you discern what was right?**
* **How does this passage demonstrate God's providential care for David, even amidst human fear and strategic planning?**

### FAQ
**Was David's deception morally justifiable according to biblical standards?**

Answer: The Bible often narrates events without explicitly endorsing or condemning every action, leaving room for theological reflection. While the Old Testament consistently values truthfulness (e.g., [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Lying Lips Are an Abomination to the Lord")), it also presents instances where deception is employed in life-threatening circumstances (e.g., Rahab in [Joshua 2](/joshua/2 "Rahab and the Spies"), the Hebrew midwives in [Exodus 1](/exodus/1 "The Hebrew Midwives Defy Pharaoh")). In David's case, his life was in imminent danger from a king consumed by murderous rage. Many scholars argue that while deception is not ideal, it can be a regrettable necessity when facing an unjust aggressor who seeks to take innocent life. The narrative focuses more on God's preservation of David and Jonathan's loyalty than on a moral critique of the specific means.

**What was the significance of the "yearly sacrifice" in Bethlehem?**

Answer: The "yearly sacrifice" refers to a regular, probably annual, family or clan sacrificial feast. These were vital social and religious events in ancient Israel, bringing together extended family members to offer sacrifices to God, share a communal meal, and reaffirm their bonds and covenant identity. For David, attending such a sacrifice in his ancestral hometown of Bethlehem would have been a legitimate and deeply significant obligation, making it a highly plausible and difficult-to-dispute reason for his absence from Saul's table. It highlights the importance of family and tribal ties in Israelite society.

**Why was Bethlehem specifically mentioned as David's city?**

Answer: Bethlehem was David's hometown, the place where he was born and grew up, and where his family (the house of Jesse) resided. It was also the place where Samuel had secretly anointed him as king ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1 "Samuel Anoints David")). Mentioning Bethlehem reinforced the authenticity of the family sacrifice, as such events were typically held in one's ancestral city. It also subtly connects David to his roots and the divine promise associated with his lineage, which would ultimately culminate in the birth of the Messiah in that very town.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate situation of David, forced to flee and rely on the loyalty of a friend to escape a murderous king, powerfully foreshadows the experience of Christ. David, though anointed by God, was rejected by the reigning king and pursued with deadly intent, much like Jesus, the true King, was rejected by His own people and pursued by the religious and political authorities unto death ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "The Suffering Servant")). Jonathan's profound and self-sacrificial love for David, even risking his own life and royal inheritance, beautifully mirrors the ultimate love of Christ, who laid down His life for His friends ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "Greater Love Has No One Than This")) and for His enemies ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Own Love")). The "yearly sacrifice" in Bethlehem, though a human contrivance in this context, points to the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem ([Luke 2:4-7](/luke/2-4 "The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem")) and whose death on the cross atoned for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Christ's One Sacrifice")). David's reliance on a human plan, however flawed, ultimately serves God's sovereign purpose to preserve the lineage through which the Messiah would come, demonstrating that God works through human weakness and complex circumstances to bring about His perfect redemption.

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 17:58

And Saul said to him, Whose son [art] thou, [thou] young man? And David answered, I [am] the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

1 Samuel 9:12

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for [there is] a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

John 7:42

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

Deuteronomy 12:5

¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

1 Samuel 16:2

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear [it], he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

1 Samuel 16:5

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.