1 Samuel 20:19

_AND WHEN THOU HAST STAYED THREE DAYS, THEN THOU SHALT GO DOWN QUICKLY, AND COME TO THE PLACE WHERE THOU DIDST HIDE THYSELF WHEN THE BUSINESS WAS IN HAND, AND SHALT REMAIN BY THE STONE EZEL._ When thou hast stayed three days either with your family at Beth lehem or wherever you find it WHEN THOU HAST STAYED THREE DAYS - either with your family at Beth-lehem, or wherever you find it convenient. WHERE THOU DIDST HIDE THYSELF WHEN THE BUSINESS WAS IN HAND - Hebrew, 'in the day or time of the business,' when the same matter was under inquiry formerly (1 Samuel 19:22). REMAIN BY THE STONE EZEL, х_ HAA-'AAZEL_ (H237)] - the stone of departure (Gesenius); so called, probably, from its being the spot whence David separated from his friend. He was to conceal himself in some cave or hiding-place n

11-23 Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favours, and to make his friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. But who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners! how great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to him, to his cause, and his people!...

THE STONE EZEL - It is not mentioned elsewhere, except possibly in 1 Samuel 20:41, where see the note....

JONATHAN ENDEAVOURS TO RECONCILE SAUL TO DAVID (1 Samuel 20:1.). EXPOSITION JONATHAN'S COVENANT WITH DAVID RENEWED (1 Samuel 20:1). 1 SAMUEL 20:1 DAVID FLED FROM NAIOTH. While Saul was under the influence of the prophetic enthusiasm David escaped; but it is evident that this visit to Samuel, and the extraordinary occurrences which attended it, were not without, a good influence for the time upon Saul's mind. Some sort of reconciliation must have been p

AND [WHEN] THOU HAST STAYED THREE DAYS,.... From court, either at Bethlehem, which seems most probable, or in some other place incognito; however, not in the field he proposed to hide himself in, where he could not continue so long for want of food: [THEN] THOU SHALT GO DOWN QUICKLY, AND COME TO THE PLACE WHERE THOU DIDST HIDE THYSELF; which makes it clear that he did not continue there during that time, but went elsewhere; from whence he was to come in haste at the expiration of three days, to the place he first hid himself in, and which was fixed upon to meet at: WHEN THE BUSINESS WAS [IN HAND]; when the affair was discoursed of, about getting knowledge how Saul was affected to David, and of informing him of it; or "on the day of work" x; or business, on a working day, as the Septuagint; and so the Targum, on a common day; when, as the Vulgate Latin, it was lawful to work on it; and...

5. JONATHAN PROTECTS DAVID AND THEIR SEPARATION CHAPTER 20 _ 1. David with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:1)_ 2. The strengthened bonds and the token (1 Samuel 20:11) 3. Saul's attempt to kill Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:24) 4. David separated from Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:35) We do not need to enlarge upon this beautiful story of the further devotion of Jonathan to David. What friendship and affection is here! Indeed the chapter contains one of the most charming incidents in this book. When David told Jonathan of his great danger, Jonathan refused to believe it. But David knew there was but

1 SAMUEL 20. DAVID AND JONATHAN (J). 1 Samuel 20 has no obvious connexion with any of the preceding or following sections: And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, is an editorial insertion to connect this section with the preceding after the events narrated in 1 Samuel 19:1, Jonathan could hardly assure David that Saul would not kill him, and that he was privy to all his father's plans. Similarly the literal translation of 1 Samuel 21:1 is And David came, etc. 1 Samuel 20 is probably an extract from an early document, but the editor has omitted its context and supplied the gaps from other sources. 1 SAMUEL 20:1. David tells Jonathan that he is convinced that Saul seeks his life. They arrange t

WHEN THE BUSINESS WAS IN HAND: i.e. the day when Jonathan arranged for David to overhear Saul's murderous intention (1 Samuel 19:2; 1 Samuel 19:3), and when Jonathan devoted himself to the business of David's safety. STONE EZEL. Septuagint reads "the side of this mound"....

David and Jonathan renew their covenant 11. _into the field_ To escape observation they leave the city, in which the conversation has been held hitherto....

AND WHEN THOU HAST STAYED THREE DAYS, &C.— _But on the third day thou shalt come quickly to that place, in which thou shalt hide thyself on the feast day; and thou shalt sit by the stone Ezel:_ Houbigant. _Ezel_ is supposed to have been a stone erected to shew men the road, for the word signifies _going_ or _travelling._ The Syriac and Greek render it, _by this stone._...