And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

1 SAMUEL 20:1KJV
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1 Samuel 20:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:1 mean?

1 Samuel 20:1 describes David fleeing from Naioth in Ramah and coming to Jonathan, asking why King Saul wants to kill him and what wrong he has done. David is confused and desperate, pleading with Jonathan to explain what sin or guilt he could possibly have before Jonathan’s father, Saul.

In this verse, David has just escaped from a dangerous situation where Saul tried to harm him. David turns to Jonathan, Saul’s son and his close friend, seeking answers about Saul’s hostility. The verse shows David’s innocence and distress, as he cannot understand why Saul is seeking his life and asks Jonathan for clarity.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:1

  • "fled" — בָּרַח (barach): This word means to escape or run away, emphasizing David’s urgent need to get away from danger. It highlights the seriousness of Saul’s threat.
  • "iniquity" — עָוֹן (avon): This term refers to guilt or wrongdoing, often with a sense of moral or legal offense. David uses it to ask if he is guilty of any serious wrongdoing against Saul.
  • "sin" — חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah): This word means a moral failure or offense. David’s use of both "iniquity" and "sin" shows he is searching for any possible reason for Saul’s anger, whether intentional or unintentional.

Why 1 Samuel 20:1 matters

  • This verse sets up the tension between David and Saul, showing David’s innocence and confusion about Saul’s hatred, which is a key theme in the coming chapters.
  • The verse highlights the close relationship and trust between David and Jonathan, as David turns to Jonathan for help and understanding.
  • Understanding David’s desperate question helps readers see the emotional and moral struggle at the heart of the story, making the conflict more personal and relatable.

Where else these words appear

“Naioth” Hebrew H5121 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Samuel 19:18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
  • 1 Samuel 19:19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
  • 1 Samuel 19:22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

“Ramah” Hebrew H7414 · used in 35 verses

  • Joshua 18:25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
  • 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
  • 2 Kings 8:29 And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

“fled” Hebrew H1272 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 16:6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
  • 1 Samuel 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
  • Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • 2 Samuel 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!