And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

1 SAMUEL 20:41KJV
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1 Samuel 20:41 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:41 mean?

1 Samuel 20:41 describes the emotional farewell between David and Jonathan after Jonathan’s servant leaves. David comes out from hiding, bows deeply to Jonathan three times, and both men express their deep sorrow and affection by kissing each other and weeping together, with David weeping the most.

This scene takes place after Jonathan has warned David that King Saul, Jonathan’s father, intends to harm him. David and Jonathan are close friends, and this goodbye is filled with grief because they know they may never see each other again. The verse highlights the depth of their friendship and the pain of their parting.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:41

  • "bowed" (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ, va-yishtachu, H7812): This word means to bow down or prostrate oneself, often as a sign of deep respect or humility. David’s threefold bowing shows his honor and gratitude toward Jonathan.
  • "kissed" (נָשַׁק, nashaq, H5401): In ancient Israel, kissing was a common way to show affection or respect between close friends or family. This is not romantic but expresses the strong bond and loyalty between David and Jonathan.
  • "wept" (בָּכָה, bakhah, H1058): This word means to cry or weep openly. The verse emphasizes that both men cried, but David’s grief was even greater, showing how much he felt the loss.

Why 1 Samuel 20:41 matters

  • This verse clears up the nature of David and Jonathan’s relationship, showing it as a deep, loyal friendship marked by mutual respect and affection, not romantic love.
  • The repeated bowing and weeping highlight the emotional cost of loyalty and the pain of separation when doing what is right puts relationships at risk.
  • Understanding this farewell helps explain the context for David’s life as a fugitive and the ongoing conflict with Saul, making the following chapters more meaningful.

Where else these words appear

“kissed” Hebrew H5401 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
  • Exodus 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

“toward” Hebrew H681 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
  • 1 Kings 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
  • Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

“wept” Hebrew H1058 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
  • Esther 8:3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.