New English Translation
1 Samuel 20:25
25The king sat down in his usual place by the wall, with Jonathan opposite him and Abner at his side. But David’s place was vacant.
1 Samuel 20:25 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)He sat in his customary place by the wall, opposite Jonathan, and Abner sat next to Saul, but David’s place was empty.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on a seat by the wall. And Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
Context of 1 Samuel 20:25
23With regard to the matter that you and I discussed, the Lord is the witness between us forever!” 24So David hid in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat down to eat his meal. The king sat down in his usual place by the wall, with Jonathan opposite him and Abner at his side. But David’s place was vacant. 26However, Saul said nothing about it that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to make him ceremonially unclean. Yes, he must be unclean.” 27But the next morning, the second day of the new moon, David’s place was still vacant. So Saul said to his son Jonathan, “Why has Jesse’s son not come to the meal yesterday or today?”
Read all of 1 Samuel 201 Samuel 20:25 word by word
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ עַל־מ֨וֹשָׁב֜וֹ כְּפַ֣עַם׀ בְּפַ֗עַם אֶל־מוֹשַׁב֙ הַקִּ֔יר וַיָּ֙קָם֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב אַבְנֵ֖ר מִצַּ֣ד שָׁא֑וּל וַיִּפָּקֵ֖ד מְק֥וֹם דָּוִֽד׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
- satיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
- upon his seatמוֹשָׁבmôshâb môshâb · seatH4186
- as at other timesפַּ֫עַםpa‛am pa‛ămâh · beatH6471
- by the wallקִירqîyr qir qîyrâh · wallH7023
- and Jonathanיְהוֹנָתָןyehônâthân · JonathanH3083
- aroseקוּםqûm · to arise: establishH6965
- and Abnerאֲבִינֵר'abnêr 'ăbîynêr · AbnerH74
- by Saul’sשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
- sideצַדtsad · sideH6654
- and David’sדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
- placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
- was emptyפָּקַדpâqad · to reckon: missingH6485
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 20:25
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 20:25
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25The king sat upon his seat - It seems that there was one table for Saul, Jonathan, David, and Abner; Saul having the chief seat, that next to the wall. As only four sat at this table, the absence of any one would soon be noticed.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24-34Verses 24-34 None were more constant than David in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent, but self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In great peril present opportunities for Divine ordinances may be waved. But it is bad for us, except in case of necessity, to omit any opportunity of statedly attending on them. Jonathan did wisely and well for himself and family, to secure an interest in David, yet for this he is blamed. It is good to take…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25Abner was Saul’s cousin and served as commander of Saul’s army (1 Samuel 14:50; 17:55). His importance is shown by his position beside the king at this festival.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2525. the king sat upon his seat, as at other times ... by the wall--The left-hand corner at the upper end of a room was and still is in the East, the most honorable place. The person seated there has his left arm confined by the wall, but his right hand is at full liberty. From Abner's position next the king, and David's seat being left empty, it would seem that a state etiquette was observed at the royal table, each of the courtiers and ministers having…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Samuel 20:25
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
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