Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Samuel 20

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Themes in 1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20:1 (show verse)

Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? And what is my sin before your father, that he is seeking my life?”

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Naioth » A place in ramah

1 Samuel 20:2 (show verse)

He said to him, “Far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. So why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!”

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

Yet David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your sight, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.’ But truly as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is hardly a step between me and death.”

Body » Frailty of
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Man » Extremity of examples of » Frailty of
Oath » Jonathan and david confirm a covenant by

1 Samuel 20:4 (show verse)

Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”

Jonathan » Son of saul
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:5 (show verse)

So David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the third evening.

Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Festivals
Feast of the new moon » A season for » Entertainments
Feasts » Given by kings
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Moon » First appearance of, a time of festivity
New » Man » Moons

1 Samuel 20:6 (show verse)

If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Moon » First appearance of, a time of festivity
Sacrifices » Were offered » Yearly

1 Samuel 20:7 (show verse)

If he says, ‘It is good,’ your servant will be safe; but if he is very angry, know that he has decided on evil.

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Servants » The term often used to express humility

1 Samuel 20:8 (show verse)

Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is iniquity in me, put me to death yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?”

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:9 (show verse)

Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! For if I should indeed learn that evil has been decided by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell you about it?”

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:10 (show verse)

Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:11 (show verse)

Jonathan said to David, “Come, and let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out to the field.

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:12 (show verse)

Then Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you?

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:13 (show verse)

If it please my father to do you harm, may the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father.

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Oath » Jonathan and david confirm a covenant by

1 Samuel 20:14 (show verse)

If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness of the Lord, that I may not die?

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Mephibosheth » A type of the redeemed sinner » Living in exile from the king, remembered because of a covenant
Oath » Jonathan and david confirm a covenant by

1 Samuel 20:15 (show verse)

You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”

1 Samuel 20:16 (show verse)

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord require it at the hands of David’s enemies.”

Alliances » Ratification of » By oaths
Constancy » Instances of » Jonathan
Covenant » Instances of » Jonathan and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Oath » Jonathan and david confirm a covenant by
Oaths » Used for » Confirming covenants

1 Samuel 20:17 (show verse)

Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.

Alliances » Ratification of » By oaths
Constancy » Jonathan
Friendship » General references to » Jonathan
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Oath » Jonathan and david confirm a covenant by
Oaths » Used for » Confirming covenants
Social duties » Compassion » Jonathan

1 Samuel 20:18 (show verse)

Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.

Feast of the new moon » A season for » Entertainments
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:19 (show verse)

When you have stayed for three days, you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself on that eventful day, and you shall remain by the stone Ezel.

Ezel » David and jonathan meet at
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Pillar » As a road sign
Stones » Ezel

1 Samuel 20:20 (show verse)

I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target.

Archery » Practiced by jonathan
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Arrows » General references
Arrows » Discharged » At a mark for amusement
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Weapons » Of war » Arrows

1 Samuel 20:21 (show verse)

And behold, I will send the lad, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the lad, ‘Behold, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come; for there is safety for you and no harm, as the Lord lives.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Arrows » Discharged » At a mark for amusement
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:22 (show verse)

But if I say to the youth, ‘Behold, the arrows are beyond you,’ go, for the Lord has sent you away.

1 Samuel 20:23 (show verse)

As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, behold, the Lord is between you and me forever.”

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:24 (show verse)

So David hid in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Festivals
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:25 (show verse)

The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Festivals
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Exercised great hospitality
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan
Walls » Of houses » The seat next, was the place of distinction

1 Samuel 20:26 (show verse)

Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, “It is an accident, he is not clean, surely he is not clean.”

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Festivals
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Exercised great hospitality
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:27 (show verse)

It came about the next day, the second day of the new moon, that David’s place was empty; so Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Exercised great hospitality
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:28 (show verse)

Jonathan then answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem,

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:29 (show verse)

for he said, ‘Please let me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
the First-born » Privileges of » Authority over the younger children
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan
Tables » An article of furniture

1 Samuel 20:30 (show verse)

Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?

Anger » Sinful, exemplified » saul
Anger » Instances of » Saul, toward jonathan, on account of his sympathy with david
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Holy spirit » Instances of » saul
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Malice » Instances of » Saul toward david
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:31 (show verse)

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.”

Anger » Instances of » Saul, toward jonathan, on account of his sympathy with david
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Envy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Holy spirit » Instances of » saul
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Malice » Instances of » Saul toward david
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:32 (show verse)

But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

Anger » Instances of » Saul, toward jonathan, on account of his sympathy with david
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Holy spirit » Instances of » saul
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Malice » Instances of » Saul toward david
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:33 (show verse)

Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.

Anger » Instances of » Saul, toward jonathan, on account of his sympathy with david
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Holy spirit » Instances of » saul
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Malice » Instances of » Saul toward david
Parents » Bad--exemplified » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:34 (show verse)

Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.

Anger » Instances of » Jonathan, on account of saul's persecution of david
Anger » Instances of » Saul, toward jonathan, on account of his sympathy with david
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Fasting » Examples of » Israel
Jealousy » Instances of » Saul, of david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan
Tables » An article of furniture

1 Samuel 20:35 (show verse)

Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him.

1 Samuel 20:36 (show verse)

He said to his lad, “Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.” As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him.

Archery » Practiced by jonathan
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Children » Examples of helpful » A boy who waited upon david and jonathan
Helpful children » A boy who waited upon david and jonathan
Home » Examples of helpful » A boy who waited upon david and jonathan
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:37 (show verse)

When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”

Archery » Practiced by jonathan
Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Symbols and similitudes » Bow-shot » By jonathan

1 Samuel 20:38 (show verse)

And Jonathan called after the lad, “Hurry, be quick, do not stay!” And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:39 (show verse)

But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:40 (show verse)

Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, “Go, bring them to the city.”

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Bible stories for children » David the giant killer 1sa 17 » The boy helper
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 20:41 (show verse)

When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Friendship » General references to » Examples of true
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Kiss » Of affection
Weeping » Instances of » Of jonathan and david

1 Samuel 20:42 (show verse)

Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’” Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.

Arrow » Shot by jonathan as a sign to david
Covenant » Instances of » Jonathan and david
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul