New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Samuel 20
1
David was in Naioth at Ramah. He ran away from there to where Jonathan was. He asked him, "What have I done? What crime have I committed? I haven't done anything to harm your father. So why is he trying to kill me?"
Reference
2
"That will never happen!" Jonathan replied. "You aren't going to die! My father doesn't do anything at all without telling me. So why would he hide that from me? He isn't going to kill you!"
Reference
Parallel theme
John 17:8
1 Samuel 9:15
References God
Genesis 44:7
Joshua 22:29
1 Samuel 14:45
1 Samuel 20:12
3
But David took an oath. Then he said, "Your father knows very well that you are pleased with me. He has said to himself, 'I don't want Jonathan to know I'm planning to kill David. If he finds out, he'll be very sad.' But I'm very close to being killed. And that's just as sure as the Lord and you are alive."
Reference
References David
1 Samuel 27:1
References Lord
Deuteronomy 6:13
2 Kings 2:6
1 Samuel 25:26
2 Kings 2:2
2 Kings 2:4
1 Samuel 1:26
4
Jonathan said to David, "I'll do anything you want me to do for you."
5
So David said, "Tomorrow is the time for the New Moon Feast. I'm supposed to eat with the king. But let me go and hide in the field. I'll stay there until the evening of the day after tomorrow.
Reference
6
Your father might miss me. If he does, then tell him, 'David begged me to let him hurry home to Bethlehem. A yearly sacrifice is being offered there for his whole family group.'
Reference
7
Your father might say, 'That's all right.' If he does, it will mean I'm safe. But he might become very angry. If he does, you can be sure he's made up his mind to harm me.
Reference
8
"Please be kind to me. You have made a covenant with me in the sight of the Lord. If I'm guilty, kill me yourself! Don't hand me over to your father!"
Reference
9
"I would never do that!" Jonathan said. "Suppose I had even the smallest clue that my father had made up his mind to harm you. Then I would tell you."
10
David asked, "Who will tell me if your father answers you in a mean way?"
11
"Come on," Jonathan said. "Let's go out to the field." So they went there together.
12
Then Jonathan spoke to David. He said, "I promise you that I'll find out what my father is planning to do. I'll find out by this time the day after tomorrow. The Lord, the God of Israel, is my witness. Suppose my father feels kind toward you. Then I'll send you a message and let you know.
13
But suppose he wants to harm you. And I don't let you know about it. I don't help you get away safely. Then may the Lord punish me greatly. May he be with you, just as he has been with my father.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 1:5
References Lord
1 Chronicles 22:16
1 Chronicles 22:11
1 Samuel 17:37
Ruth 1:17
1 Samuel 3:17
14
"But always be kind to me, just as the Lord is. Be kind to me as long as I live. Then I won't be killed.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 9:3
15
And never stop being kind to my family. Don't stop even when the Lord has cut off every one of your enemies from the face of the earth."
Reference
References Lord
2 Samuel 21:7
16
So Jonathan made a covenant with David and his family. He said, "May the Lord make David's enemies accountable for what they've done."
Reference
References David
1 Samuel 25:22
17
Jonathan had David take an oath again because he loved him. In fact, Jonathan loved David just as he loved himself.
Reference
18
Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the time for the New Moon Feast. You will be missed, because your seat at the table will be empty.
Reference
19
Go to the place where you hid when all of this trouble began. Go there the day after tomorrow, when evening is approaching. There's a stone out there called Ezel.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 19:2
20
Wait by it. "I'll shoot three arrows to one side of the stone. I'll pretend I'm practicing my shooting.
21
Then I'll send a boy out there. I'll tell him, 'Go and find the arrows.' Suppose I say to him, 'The arrows are on this side of you. Bring them here.' Then come. That will mean you are safe. You won't be in any danger. And that's just as sure as the Lord is alive.
22
But suppose I tell the boy, 'The arrows are far beyond you.' Then go. That will mean the Lord is sending you away.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 20:37
23
"And remember what we talked about. Remember that the Lord is a witness between you and me forever."
Reference
24
So David hid in the field. When the time for the New Moon Feast came, the king sat down to eat.
25
He sat in his usual place by the wall. Jonathan sat across from him. Abner sat next to Saul. But David's place was empty.
Reference
References David
1 Samuel 20:18
26
Saul didn't say anything that day. He said to himself, "Something must have happened to David to make him 'unclean.' That must be why he isn't here."
Reference
27
But the next day, David's place was empty again. It was the second day of the month. Finally, Saul spoke to his son Jonathan. He said, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal? He hasn't been here yesterday or today."
28
Jonathan replied, "David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem.
Reference
References David
1 Samuel 20:6
29
He said, 'Let me go. Our family is offering a sacrifice in the town. My brother has ordered me to be there. Are you pleased with me? If you are, let me go and see my brothers.' That's why he hasn't come to eat at your table."
30
Saul burned with anger against Jonathan. He said to him, "You are an evil son. You have refused to obey me. I know that you are on the side of Jesse's son. You should be ashamed of that. And your mother should be ashamed of having a son like you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 21:24
31
You will never be king as long as Jesse's son lives on this earth. And you will never have a kingdom either. So send for the son of Jesse. Bring him to me. He must die!"
33
But Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father wanted to kill David.
Reference
34
So Jonathan got up from the table. He was burning with anger. On that second day of the month, he refused to eat. He was very sad that his father was treating David so badly.
35
The next morning Jonathan went out to the field to meet David. He took a young boy with him.
36
He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow far beyond him.
37
The boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen. Then Jonathan shouted to him, "The arrow went far beyond you, didn't it?"
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 20:22
38
He continued, "Hurry up! Run fast! Don't stop!" The boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master.
39
The boy didn't know what was going on. Only Jonathan and David knew.
40
Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy. He told him, "Go back to town. Take the weapons with you."
41
After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone. He bowed down in front of Jonathan with his face to the ground. He did it three times. Then they kissed each other and cried. But David cried more than Jonathan did.
Reference
42
Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace. In the name of the Lord we have taken an oath. We've promised to be friends. We've said, 'The Lord is a witness between you and me. He's a witness between your children and my children forever.' " Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
Reference
Summary of 1 Samuel 20
1 Samuel 20 dives headfirst into the tension between David and King Saul, but what really stands out is the bond between David and Jonathan. David's not just paranoid; he knows Saul's after him. He’s seen his life flash before his eyes more than once thanks to Saul’s attempts. Jonathan, though—he’s torn. It’s hard for him to picture his dad plotting murder behind his back.
So David heads to Jonathan, looking rough and worried. He wants to know, “Why? What’d I do to deserve this?” David’s fear isn’t just a feeling anymore; it’s reality. But Jonathan can’t wrap his head around the idea that Saul would keep something this big a secret. Usually, Saul doesn’t move without letting Jonathan in on things. Still, Jonathan’s ready to help David figure out what’s really going on. He’s loyal, even if the situation doesn’t make sense to him.
David points out that Saul, knowing how close the two are, probably keeps Jonathan in the dark on purpose. If Saul’s planning something deadly for David, he won’t risk letting Jonathan know. David sums it up nicely: all that stands between him and death is a single step.
Together, they hatch a plan. It's the start of the new month—Saul will host a family feast, and David’s supposed to be there. Instead, he’ll hide in the field. If Saul asks about David, Jonathan will say David traveled home for a family sacrifice. That excuse isn’t just a cover—it’s a test. If Saul’s cool about it, then maybe David’s safe. But if Saul snaps, they’ll have their answer.
Then David takes things to another level. He asks Jonathan for a real commitment—not just friendship, but a covenant. He pleads for kindness, saying, “If I’ve crossed some line, don’t let your father be the one to kill me. Do it yourself.” Jonathan pushes back; he’d never let Saul harm David if he could help it. He promises, right there, to warn David if Saul means business.
When the feast begins, Saul notices David’s empty seat but keeps quiet on day one. Maybe David’s unclean, he thinks. Day two, though? Saul’s patience snaps. Jonathan explains their story—David’s in Bethlehem for family reasons. Immediately, Saul loses it. He’s livid, hurling insults at Jonathan for allegedly choosing David over his own family. Saul sees David as a threat to Jonathan’s claim to the throne, and he demands Jonathan bring David to him, so he can kill him himself.
Jonathan stands up for David. He asks what David’s done to deserve death. That simple defense sets Saul off so much he throws a spear at his own son. It’s clear now; Saul wants David dead, and Jonathan’s no longer safe either.
Jonathan storms out, furious and heartbroken. He can’t eat. Saul’s betrayal hurts on multiple levels—it’s not just political, it’s personal.
Next morning, Jonathan heads out to the field, bringing a boy along to fetch arrows. It’s the perfect cover. Jonathan fires the arrows past the boy, using their secret signal to warn David: get out now, run for your life. When the coast is clear, Jonathan sends the boy away. David emerges from hiding. They share a moment—a painful, quiet embrace, tears flowing. Both know things can’t go back to the way they were. David’s life is about to change forever. Jonathan tells him to go in peace, reminding him of their covenant with God.
David slips away, and Jonathan heads back to the city, weighed down by everything that just happened.
That loyalty between Jonathan and David is the heart of the story. Jonathan’s the king’s son—he could have fought for his own future, maybe even gone against David. But he chooses friendship over ambition. He understands God has different plans for David. So instead of seeing him as competition, Jonathan protects him, even as it costs him everything he’s supposed to inherit.
Saul, meanwhile, spirals deeper into jealousy and rage. He’s so threatened by David he’s willing to go after his own son for not helping him. He’s crossed a line—hurting the people closest to him because of fear and envy.
David’s vulnerability shows, too. He knows he’s innocent but also knows innocence won’t save him from Saul. So he doesn’t try to sneak back into the palace or plead his case. He accepts his new reality.
Their covenant isn’t just a handshake and a “good luck.” It’s a solemn, spiritual promise, binding them to remain loyal and to look after each other’s families, even when distance or danger tries to tear them apart.
Even the way Jonathan delivers the warning has layers. He can’t just shout the truth from the rooftops—Saul’s men are everywhere. So he uses that coded arrow signal, protecting David without putting himself in direct conflict with Saul in public.
And then, there’s that goodbye. It’s raw and honest—no bitterness, just a recognition that their friendship stands above all the politics and violence swirling around them.
Jealousy takes center stage through Saul. His fear of David’s rise has destroyed trust, turning him against not just David, but also Jonathan. It’s a cautionary tale: unchecked jealousy doesn’t just hurt enemies, it wounds loved ones, corrodes families.
But Jonathan’s loyalty shines as a bright contrast. He accepts God’s plan, stands up for his friend, and chooses selflessness over his own ambitions. He’s a rare example of grace under pressure.
David’s life enters a new chapter. There’s no going back—Saul wants him dead, Jonathan confirms it, and so David has to leave it all behind: his home, his status, his role as a leader. Starting now, he’s a fugitive, dodging Saul, holding on to faith.
The chapter ends quietly, but with everything changed. David isn’t just guessing anymore—he knows for sure Saul won’t rest until he’s gone. Jonathan’s loyalty gets tested, and their friendship has to survive in a world suddenly much more dangerous. David’s journey is just beginning, and trust in God becomes his only constant amid all the chaos.
So David heads to Jonathan, looking rough and worried. He wants to know, “Why? What’d I do to deserve this?” David’s fear isn’t just a feeling anymore; it’s reality. But Jonathan can’t wrap his head around the idea that Saul would keep something this big a secret. Usually, Saul doesn’t move without letting Jonathan in on things. Still, Jonathan’s ready to help David figure out what’s really going on. He’s loyal, even if the situation doesn’t make sense to him.
David points out that Saul, knowing how close the two are, probably keeps Jonathan in the dark on purpose. If Saul’s planning something deadly for David, he won’t risk letting Jonathan know. David sums it up nicely: all that stands between him and death is a single step.
Together, they hatch a plan. It's the start of the new month—Saul will host a family feast, and David’s supposed to be there. Instead, he’ll hide in the field. If Saul asks about David, Jonathan will say David traveled home for a family sacrifice. That excuse isn’t just a cover—it’s a test. If Saul’s cool about it, then maybe David’s safe. But if Saul snaps, they’ll have their answer.
Then David takes things to another level. He asks Jonathan for a real commitment—not just friendship, but a covenant. He pleads for kindness, saying, “If I’ve crossed some line, don’t let your father be the one to kill me. Do it yourself.” Jonathan pushes back; he’d never let Saul harm David if he could help it. He promises, right there, to warn David if Saul means business.
When the feast begins, Saul notices David’s empty seat but keeps quiet on day one. Maybe David’s unclean, he thinks. Day two, though? Saul’s patience snaps. Jonathan explains their story—David’s in Bethlehem for family reasons. Immediately, Saul loses it. He’s livid, hurling insults at Jonathan for allegedly choosing David over his own family. Saul sees David as a threat to Jonathan’s claim to the throne, and he demands Jonathan bring David to him, so he can kill him himself.
Jonathan stands up for David. He asks what David’s done to deserve death. That simple defense sets Saul off so much he throws a spear at his own son. It’s clear now; Saul wants David dead, and Jonathan’s no longer safe either.
Jonathan storms out, furious and heartbroken. He can’t eat. Saul’s betrayal hurts on multiple levels—it’s not just political, it’s personal.
Next morning, Jonathan heads out to the field, bringing a boy along to fetch arrows. It’s the perfect cover. Jonathan fires the arrows past the boy, using their secret signal to warn David: get out now, run for your life. When the coast is clear, Jonathan sends the boy away. David emerges from hiding. They share a moment—a painful, quiet embrace, tears flowing. Both know things can’t go back to the way they were. David’s life is about to change forever. Jonathan tells him to go in peace, reminding him of their covenant with God.
David slips away, and Jonathan heads back to the city, weighed down by everything that just happened.
That loyalty between Jonathan and David is the heart of the story. Jonathan’s the king’s son—he could have fought for his own future, maybe even gone against David. But he chooses friendship over ambition. He understands God has different plans for David. So instead of seeing him as competition, Jonathan protects him, even as it costs him everything he’s supposed to inherit.
Saul, meanwhile, spirals deeper into jealousy and rage. He’s so threatened by David he’s willing to go after his own son for not helping him. He’s crossed a line—hurting the people closest to him because of fear and envy.
David’s vulnerability shows, too. He knows he’s innocent but also knows innocence won’t save him from Saul. So he doesn’t try to sneak back into the palace or plead his case. He accepts his new reality.
Their covenant isn’t just a handshake and a “good luck.” It’s a solemn, spiritual promise, binding them to remain loyal and to look after each other’s families, even when distance or danger tries to tear them apart.
Even the way Jonathan delivers the warning has layers. He can’t just shout the truth from the rooftops—Saul’s men are everywhere. So he uses that coded arrow signal, protecting David without putting himself in direct conflict with Saul in public.
And then, there’s that goodbye. It’s raw and honest—no bitterness, just a recognition that their friendship stands above all the politics and violence swirling around them.
Jealousy takes center stage through Saul. His fear of David’s rise has destroyed trust, turning him against not just David, but also Jonathan. It’s a cautionary tale: unchecked jealousy doesn’t just hurt enemies, it wounds loved ones, corrodes families.
But Jonathan’s loyalty shines as a bright contrast. He accepts God’s plan, stands up for his friend, and chooses selflessness over his own ambitions. He’s a rare example of grace under pressure.
David’s life enters a new chapter. There’s no going back—Saul wants him dead, Jonathan confirms it, and so David has to leave it all behind: his home, his status, his role as a leader. Starting now, he’s a fugitive, dodging Saul, holding on to faith.
The chapter ends quietly, but with everything changed. David isn’t just guessing anymore—he knows for sure Saul won’t rest until he’s gone. Jonathan’s loyalty gets tested, and their friendship has to survive in a world suddenly much more dangerous. David’s journey is just beginning, and trust in God becomes his only constant amid all the chaos.