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.

1 SAMUEL 20:29KJV
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1 Samuel 20:29 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:29 mean?

1 Samuel 20:29 records the message Jonathan gives to Saul as David’s excuse for missing the king’s meal: David has supposedly gone to his hometown for a family sacrifice, because his brother requested his presence. Jonathan asks Saul to accept this reason for David’s absence, saying David wanted to see his family if Saul approved.

Jonathan is speaking to his father Saul, explaining why David is not at the royal table. The situation is tense—David is hiding because Saul wants to kill him, and Jonathan is covering for his friend. The verse shows Jonathan using a believable reason (a family sacrifice in the city) to protect David, highlighting the danger David is in and the loyalty between the two friends.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:29

  • "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach): This word refers to an animal offering, usually part of a communal or family religious event. Mentioning a family sacrifice makes David’s absence sound both urgent and respectable.
  • "found favour" (מָצָא חֵן, matsa chen): This phrase means to find grace or approval in someone’s eyes. Jonathan uses it to politely ask Saul to accept David’s absence, softening the request.
  • "commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word means to order or direct. Jonathan says David’s brother "commanded" him to come, making the request seem like a family obligation David could not refuse.

Why 1 Samuel 20:29 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s absence is not accidental or disrespectful; it is presented as a necessary family duty, which would be a strong social reason in ancient Israel.
  • This verse is key in the story’s tension, as it tests Saul’s reaction and reveals whether he truly intends harm toward David.
  • The wording shows Jonathan’s careful diplomacy, using respectful language and plausible details to protect his friend while addressing his father the king.

Where else these words appear

“table” Hebrew H7979 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
  • 1 Samuel 20:34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
  • Job 36:16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

“favour” Hebrew H2580 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
  • Numbers 11:11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
  • Esther 8:5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

“away” Hebrew H4422 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
  • Esther 4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
  • Isaiah 46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.