1 Samuel 20:28
◄  1 Samuel 20:28  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Jonathan answered, "David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Jonathan replied, "David earnestly asked me if he could go to Bethlehem.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Jonathan then answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Jonathan answered, "David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Jonathan answered Saul, "David urgently requested that I let him go to Bethlehem.

NET Bible (©2006)
Jonathan replied to Saul, "David urgently requested that he be allowed to go to Bethlehem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Jonathan answered Saul, "David repeatedly begged me [to let him go] to Bethlehem.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

American King James Version
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

American Standard Version
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan answered Saul: He asked leave of me earnestly to go to Bethlehem,

Darby Bible Translation
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem,

English Revised Version
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:

World English Bible
Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jonathan answereth Saul, 'David hath been earnestly asked of me unto Beth-Lehem,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:24-34 None were more constant than David in attending holy duties; nor had he been absent, but self-preservation obliged him to withdraw. In great peril present opportunities for Divine ordinances may be waved. But it is bad for us, except in case of necessity, to omit any opportunity of statedly attending on them. Jonathan did wisely and well for himself and family, to secure an interest in David, yet for this he is blamed. It is good to take God's people for our people. It will prove to our advantage at last, however it may now be thought against our interest. Saul was outrageous. What savage beasts, and worse, does anger make men!

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 Parallel Commentaries

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Jonathan and David Renew Covenant
…27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said to Jonathan his son, Why comes not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? 28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: 29And he said, Let me go, I pray you; for our family has a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he has commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away, I pray you, and see my brothers. Therefore he comes not to the king's table.

1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, tell him, 'David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.'
1 Samuel 20:27 But the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was empty again. Then Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?"
1 Samuel 20:29 He said, 'Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table."