Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

1 Samuel 20:25

AbnerDavidJonathanSaul

23 And as for the matter you and I have discussed, the LORD is a witness between you and me forever.”

24 So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat.

He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.

26 Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.”

27 But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?”

Read the whole chapter

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.
KJV
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.
WEB
The king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
ASV
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul`s side: but David`s place was empty.
DARBY
And the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
BLB
And the king sat on his seat, as time by time, on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat at the side of Saul, and the place of David was found empty.
ÅB
Og kongen satt på sin vanlige plass, på plassen ved veggen, og Jonatan sto opp, og Abner satte seg ved siden av Saul; men Davids plass var tom.
OTB
Kongen satte seg på sin plass som vanlig, plassen ved veggen; da reiste Jonatan seg og Abner satte seg ved Sauls side, men Davids plass var tom.
B1930
Og kongen satt på sin vanlige plass, på plassen ved veggen, og Jonatan stod op, og Abner satte sig ved siden av Saul; men Davids plass var tom.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 20:18

    Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed if your seat is empty.

    Read in context

  • Judges 16:20

    Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

    Read in context