FocusAnointing, service, and hostility
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David's public emergence and relationships develop alongside Saul's growing hostility.
interpretation 1 Samuel 20:1
KJVAnd David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
Read it in context
Jonathan Helps David
Start reading at 1 Samuel 20:1 (1 Samuel 20:1 to 1 Samuel 20:9).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David's public emergence and relationships develop alongside Saul's growing hostility.
- 20:1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
- 20:2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
- 20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
- 20:4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
- 20:5 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.
- 20:6 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.
- 20:7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
- 20:8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
- 20:9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
Who
- Who wrote the book? Tradition associates Samuel with the earlier material and Nathan and Gad with its continuation. Samuel dies during the narrative, so he did not write the complete account; the final compiler is unknown. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 25:1; 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Samuel 18:1–20:42): David, Saul, Jonathan, and Saul's family are central to the growing conflict and the attempts to protect David. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israelite readers considering the rise of the monarchy and the transition from Saul to David. A more exact first readership cannot be established. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 8:4; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 31:6. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Jonathan Helps David. Read 1 Samuel 20:1 through 1 Samuel 20:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David's public emergence and relationships develop alongside Saul's growing hostility. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative spans Samuel's upbringing, Israel's request for a king, Saul's reign, and David's emergence before Saul's death. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Events occur at Shiloh, among Israel's towns, in Philistine territory, and in places of David's flight. The chapter identifies the immediate setting. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Jonathan Helps David (1 Samuel 20:1 to 1 Samuel 20:9). Start reading at 1 Samuel 20:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Acts 13 connects Samuel, Saul, and David with the subsequent coming of Jesus from David's seed. David's anointing belongs to that historical line; it does not turn every conflict into a direct messianic prediction. See Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Evaluate leadership by hearing and obeying God rather than appearance or initial success. David's restraint toward Saul can be considered with its narrated reasons rather than generalized into approval of wrongdoing by leaders. interpretation
Cited: 1 Samuel 20:1, 1 Samuel 20:9, Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel, with Nathan and Gad (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Chronicles refers to written records of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad.
1 Chronicles 29:29
Early traditionJewish tradition credits Samuel, with Nathan and Gad continuing after his death.
What is debatedSamuel dies partway through the account, so he cannot have written all of it. The final form is later.
Related passages
- fled 1 Sam 19:19-24 1 Sam 23:26-28 Ps 124:6-8 2 Pet 2:9
- What have 1 Sam 12:3 1 Sam 24:11,17 Ps 7:3-5 Ps 18:20-24 2 Cor 1:12 1 John 3:21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel 20
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
1 Samuel 8:5 1 Samuel 16:13 1 Samuel 25:1
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
1 Samuel 20:10–29FocusAnointing, service, and hostility
Connection to the wholeDavid's public emergence and relationships develop alongside Saul's growing hostility.
interpretation Saul Seeks to Kill Jonathan
1 Samuel 20:30–42FocusAnointing, service, and hostility
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. David's public emergence and relationships develop alongside Saul's growing hostility.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence.
1 Samuel 8:5 1 Samuel 16:13 1 Samuel 25:1
Samuel and the word of the LORD
1 Samuel 1:1–7:17FocusLeadership, the ark, and return
Connection to the wholeSamuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
interpretation Saul's kingship
1 Samuel 8:1–15:35FocusAppointment and disobedience
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
interpretation FocusAnointing, service, and hostility
Connection to the wholeDavid's public emergence and relationships develop alongside Saul's growing hostility.
interpretation David pursued and Saul's end
1 Samuel 21:1–31:13FocusRestraint, refuge, and collapse
Connection to the wholeDavid's movements as a fugitive contrast with Saul's decline, and the book ends with Saul's death in battle.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.