1 Samuel 20:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

NIV: (The boy knew nothing about all this; only Jonathan and David knew.)

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

CSB: He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement.

NLT: He, of course, suspected nothing; only Jonathan and David understood the signal.

KJV: But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

NKJV: But the lad did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew of the matter.

First Samuel 20:35–40 comes after David's test has worked, so Jonathan accepts that his father wants to kill his best friend (1 Samuel 20:18–34). To notify David, Jonathan takes a servant boy to archery practice. By telling the boy that the arrow landed beyond him, he's telling David that David needs to leave. Jonathan dismisses the boy with the weapons, and Jonathan and David say goodbye (1 Samuel 20:41–42).

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 10/6/2025 5:53:06 AM