I Samuel 20:5
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So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. Instead, let me go and hide in the field until the third evening from now.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
David, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to consider at last whether it may not be necessary for him to retire into the country and to take up arms in his own defence. But he will not do so daring a thing without consulting his faithful friend Jonathan; how he did this, and what passed between them, we have an account in this chapter, where we have as surprising instances of supernatural love as we had in the chapter before of unnatural hatred. I. David complains to Jonathan of his present distress, and engages him to be his friend (Sa1 20:1-8). II. Jonathan faithfully promises to get and give him intelligence how his father stood affected to him, and renews the covenant of friendship with him (Sa1 20:9-23). III. Jonathan, upon trial, finds, to his grief, that his father was implacably enraged against David (Sa1 20:24-34). IV. He gives David notice of this, according to the appointment between them (Sa1 20:35-42).
Open source ↗20:5 new moon festival: The ancient Hebrews followed a lunar calendar, and the new moon marked the start of a new month. Every month was begun with a special sacrifice (Num 28:11-15), which became a monthly festival.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.”
At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,
so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.
If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.
When you have stayed three days, hurry down to the place you hid on the day this trouble began, and remain beside the stone Ezel.
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.