1 Samuel 20:29 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jonathan relays David's full request to attend his family's sacrifice and see his brothers, explaining his absence from the king's table.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:29 Mean?
Jonathan fills out the account: David asked leave for a family sacrifice in Bethlehem, summoned by his brother, longing to see his brethren. He gives the reason in David's own pleading words and concludes, therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
The explanation honors the bonds of family and worship that drew David home. Jonathan presents the absence as devotion, not defiance. Whether or not Saul accepts it, the answer appeals to the most honorable of motives, leaving the king's response to expose the king's own heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:29
What does 1 Samuel 20:29 mean?
Jonathan relays David's full request to attend his family's sacrifice and see his brothers, explaining his absence from the king's table.