1 Samuel 20:28

28 And answering Saul, Jonathan said, He made a request to me that he might go to Beth-lehem,

1 Samuel 20:28 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 20:28

And Jonathan answered Saul
In reply to Saul's question, and to excuse David, he said,

David earnestly asked [leave] of me [to go] to Bethlehem;
his own city, his native place, where his family lived, whom he was desirous to see, and yet chose not to go without asking leave; and as Saul was not at home, he asked leave of Jonathan, who was next to him, and acted for him; and he was very pressing and importunate in his suit, and therefore Jonathan could not well deny him it; and he hoped this would ben sufficient excuse for his absence, especially when what follows should be observed.

1 Samuel 20:28 In-Context

26 But Saul said nothing that day, for his thought was, Something has taken place making him unclean; it is clear that he is not clean.

27 And on the day after the new moon, that is, the second day, there was still no one in David's seat: and Saul said to his son Jonathan, Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast yesterday or today?

28 And answering Saul, Jonathan said, He made a request to me that he might go to Beth-lehem,

29 Saying, Our family is making an offering in the town, and my brothers have given me orders to be there: so now, if I have grace in your eyes, let me go away and see my brothers. This is why he has not come to the king's table.

30 Then Saul was moved to wrath against Jonathan, and he said to him, You son of an evil and uncontrolled woman, have I not seen how you have given your love to the son of Jesse, to your shame and the shame of your mother?