1 Samuel 20:27 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On the second day, with David still absent, Saul demands of Jonathan why the son of Jesse has not come.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:27 Mean?
The second day arrives and the seat is still empty, so Saul can no longer stay silent. He turns to Jonathan with a pointed question. Notably he will not say David's name, calling him only the son of Jesse, the cold language of contempt.
To strip a man of his name and reduce him to his father's house is to refuse his standing and stoke resentment. Saul's phrasing betrays the bitterness already simmering beneath the question. How we name those we have come to envy often reveals the state of our own hearts before we say anything plain.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:27
What does 1 Samuel 20:27 mean?
On the second day, with David still absent, Saul demands of Jonathan why the son of Jesse has not come.