1 Samuel 20:25
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
sat
H3427
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מוֹשַׁב֙
even upon a seat
H4186
מוֹשַׁב֙
even upon a seat
Strong's:
H4186
Word #:
4 of 18
a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
H6471
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
5 of 18
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
H6471
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
6 of 18
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
מוֹשַׁב֙
even upon a seat
H4186
מוֹשַׁב֙
even upon a seat
Strong's:
H4186
Word #:
8 of 18
a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population
וַיָּ֙קָם֙
arose
H6965
וַיָּ֙קָם֙
arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
10 of 18
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
sat
H3427
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁא֑וּל
by Saul's
H7586
שָׁא֑וּל
by Saul's
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
15 of 18
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
וַיִּפָּקֵ֖ד
was empty
H6485
וַיִּפָּקֵ֖ד
was empty
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
16 of 18
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Historical Context
Seating arrangements at royal tables reflected status and favor. Saul's wall seat provided protection from potential assassins. Abner as military commander held honored position. David's usual seat indicated his high standing at court.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'empty seats' in your community reveal about who is present and who is missing?
- How does the normalcy of routine heighten awareness of significant absences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
The scene is carefully described: Saul in his customary seat by the wall (strategically positioned for security), Jonathan standing (perhaps nervous), Abner beside Saul, and David's place empty. The empty seat speaks loudly in a court where position mattered greatly. Every person present would notice the absence. The phrase 'as at other times' suggests normalcy punctuated by David's conspicuous absence. Sometimes what is missing reveals more than what is present.