1 Samuel 20:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David proposes a test: he will be absent from the new moon feast and hide in the field until the third evening.
What Does 1 Samuel 20:5 Mean?
David lays out a plan to read Saul's heart. The new moon brought a sacred feast where David, as the king's son-in-law and captain, was expected at the table. His deliberate absence will force Saul to reveal whether he means peace or murder.
David does not act recklessly; he tests the situation with patience and wisdom, hiding rather than striking. The mention of the third day, when David will reappear, quietly foreshadows the pattern of one delivered out of hiding after the third day, a rhythm Scripture will sound again at an empty tomb.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 20:5
What does 1 Samuel 20:5 mean?
David proposes a test: he will be absent from the new moon feast and hide in the field until the third evening.