1 Samuel 20:27

27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty : and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

1 Samuel 20:27 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:27

And it came to pass on the morrow, [which was] the second
[day] of the month
The Targum is,

``and it was on the day after it, which was the intercalation of the second month;''

when the beginning of the month was judged of by the appearance of the moon, and there was a difficulty about that, what day it appeared on, two days were kept for it; and Abarbinel F5 is clear for it, that two days were kept in this month; but if this was not the case, since the remainder of peace offerings might be eaten the next day, ( Leviticus 7:16 ) . Saul and his guests might meet on the second day for that purpose:

that David's place was empty:
on that day also:

and Saul said to Jonathan his son;
who he knew was David's friend and confident, and could give the best account of him:

wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday nor
today;
he accounted for his not coming yesterday, because he supposed he might be under some ceremonial uncleanness; but then that only lasted to the evening of that day; but not coming the second day when he was clean, he inquires after him; and not owning him for his son-in-law, by way of contempt, and to lessen him in the esteem of all at table, he calls him the son of Jesse.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 Comment. in Exod. xii.

1 Samuel 20:27 In-Context

25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose , and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty .
26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought , Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty : and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
29 And he said , Let me go , I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away , I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
The King James Version is in the public domain.