1 Samuel 20:30

_THEN SAUL'S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST JONATHAN, AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SON OF THE PERVERSE REBELLIOUS WOMAN, DO NOT I KNOW THAT THOU HAST CHOSEN THE SON OF JESSE TO THINE OWN CONFUSION, AND UNTO THE CONFUSION OF THY MOTHER'S NAKEDNESS?_ Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman. This is a striking Oriental form of abuse (see an instance, Bovet, 'Voyage en Terre Sainte,' p. 77), the counterpart of that ancient benediction, Luke 11:27. Saul was not angry with his wife; it was the son alone upon whom he meant, by this style of address, to discharge his resentment; and the principle on which it is rounded seems to be, that to a genuine filial instinct it is a more inexpiable offence to hear the name or character of a parent traduced than any personal reproach. In every Eastern family the great object of respect and devotion is the mother. There are familiar expressions which

24-34 None were more constant than David in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent, but self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In great peril present opportunities for Divine ordinances may be waved. But it is bad for us, except in case of necessity, to omit any opportunity of statedly attending on them. Jonathan did wisely and well for himself and family, to secure an interest in David, yet for this he is blamed. It is good to take God's people for our people. It will prove to our advantage at last, however it may now be thought against our interest. Saul was outrageous. What savage beasts, and worse, does anger make men!...

Verse 1 Samuel 20:30. _THOU SON OF THE PERVERSE REBELLIOUS_ WOMAN] This clause is variously translated and understood. The _Hebrew_ might be translated, _Son of an unjust rebellion_; that is, "Thou art a rebel against thy own father." The Vulgate, _Fili mulieris virum ultro_ _rapientis_; "Son of the woman who, of her own accord, forces the man." The Septuagint is equally curious, Υἱε κορασιων αυτομολουντων; "Son of the damsels who came of their own accord." Were these the meaning of the _Hebrew_, then the bitter reflection must refer to some _secret_ transaction between Saul and Jonathan's mother; which certainly reflects more dishonour on himself than on his brave son. Most sarcasms bear as hard upon the speaker, as they do on him against whom they are spoken. Abusive language always argues a mean, weak, and malevolent heart....

The greatest insult and most stinging reproach that can be cast upon an Oriental is to reproach his parents or ancestors (see Job 30:8). Saul means to intimate that Jonathan was stubborn from his mother’s womb....

EXPOSITION OPEN HATRED OF SAUL AGAINST DAVID (1 Samuel 20:24-9). 1 SAMUEL 20:24-9 THE KING SAT HIM DOWN TO EAT MEAT. Hebrew, "the king sat down at the bread to eat." On sitting at table see 1 Samuel 16:11. AND JONATHAN AROSE. When the king had taken his usual place, that of honour, next the wall, and therefore farthest from the door, Jonathan arose and took his place on one side of the king, while Abner sat on the other. David's place below them was left empty. The omission of the statement that Jonathan _sat down _makes

THEN SAUL'S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST JONATHAN,.... For giving David leave to go, and for excusing him in this manner: AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SON OF THE PERVERSE AND REBELLIOUS [WOMAN]; most of the Jewish commentators supply it as we do, but the supplement of woman may as well be left out, and be read, "thou son of perverse rebellion" f; thou perverse and rebellious wretch, perverse in thy temper, and rebellious in thy conduct; for the design of the expression is not to reproach his mother, for which there seems no provocation, but Jonathan only; and the next clause confirms it, which expresses a concern for his mother's honour and credit; the Targum is, "an obstinate son, whose rebellion is hard,'' or intolerable; according to which, Abarbinel says, it may refer to David: DO NOT I KNOW THAT THOU HAST CHOSEN THE SON OF JESSE TO THINE OWN CONFUSION, AND UNTO THE CONFUSION OF THY M...

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

THOU SON OF THE PERVERSE REBELLIOUS WOMAN. a son of rebellious perversity: i.e.. rebel like David. Compare note on 1 Samuel 18:19....

This section is the _Haphtarah_for the New Moon when it falls on the first day of the week....