1 Samuel 20:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.

NIV: Jonathan answered, "David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem.

NASB: And Jonathan answered Saul, 'David earnestly requested leave of me to go to Bethlehem.

CSB: Jonathan answered, "David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem.

NLT: Jonathan replied, 'David earnestly asked me if he could go to Bethlehem.

KJV: And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

NKJV: So Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked permission of me to go to Bethlehem.

First Samuel 20:24–29 describes how Jonathan sets the trap for his father. David says Saul wants to kill him; Jonathan can't believe it but agrees to find out (1 Samuel 20:1–23). It's the feast of the new moon, and David isn't at Saul's table. Jonathan explains that David is home with his family. Saul knows his son is lying and explodes in anger. Furious and hurt, Jonathan leaves the table. The next day, he must tell his best friend to flee for his life (1 Samuel 20:30–42).

In 1 Samuel 20, David flees Saul for good. David goes to Jonathan at Gibeah to ask why Saul is trying to kill him. Jonathan agrees to find out. The two swear oaths of commitment to each other and plan to learn Saul's intentions. At the feast of the new moon, Saul becomes enraged at David's absence, as well as Jonathan's misplaced loyalty, and Jonathan knows David is in danger. The next day, Jonathan signals to David that he must flee. They part with tears and affirmations of their sworn friendship to each other.

David knows Saul wants to kill him (1 Samuel 19), but Jonathan can't accept it. The two decide to prove the king's intent, and Jonathan finally admits David's right. They part, trusting in their oath of friendship. David flees to Nob, where he tricks the priest out of bread and Goliath's sword, and makes a short visit to Gath. Eventually, David goes to the wilderness where his brothers meet him—along with four hundred men and their families who are in dire straits: the beginning of David's army (1 Samuel 21:1—22:5).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 9/14/2025 2:55:20 PM