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

1 SAMUEL 20:28KJV
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1 Samuel 20:28 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:28 mean?

1 Samuel 20:28 tells us that Jonathan explained to Saul that David had asked him for permission to go to Bethlehem. Jonathan is giving Saul a reason for David’s absence from the royal table, saying David requested leave to visit his hometown.

Jonathan is speaking directly to his father, King Saul, during a tense meal where David’s absence is being noticed. The situation is delicate because Saul is suspicious of David, and Jonathan is trying to protect his friend by giving a believable explanation. This verse is part of a larger story where Jonathan and David are testing Saul’s intentions toward David.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:28

  • "Jonathan" (יוֹנָתָן, Yonatan): The name means "Yahweh has given." Jonathan is the one answering Saul, and his loyalty to David is a key part of this story.
  • "answered" (עָנָה, ‘anah): This word often means to respond or reply, showing Jonathan is directly addressing Saul’s question or concern.
  • "earnestly asked" / "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha’al): The same Hebrew root is used twice here, which can give a sense of emphasis—David really did request, or asked with insistence, to go to Bethlehem.
  • "Bethlehem" (בֵּית לֶחֶם, Beit Lechem): The name means "house of bread." Mentioning Bethlehem grounds the story in a real place and reminds readers of David’s family roots.

Why 1 Samuel 20:28 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jonathan is actively protecting David by providing Saul with a plausible reason for David’s absence, showing the depth of Jonathan’s loyalty.
  • The double use of the word "asked" in Hebrew highlights that David’s request was earnest, not casual, which strengthens Jonathan’s explanation to Saul.
  • The mention of Bethlehem connects the story to David’s family background and sets up later events in David’s life, reminding readers of his humble origins.

Where else these words appear

“me” Hebrew H5978 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 5:31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
  • Job 23:6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

“Bethlehem” Hebrew H1035 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
  • Ruth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
  • 2 Samuel 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

“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!