1 Samuel 20:29
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.
Original Language Analysis
שַׁלְּחֵ֣נִי
Let me go
H7971
שַׁלְּחֵ֣נִי
Let me go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
2 of 29
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
נָ֡א
H4994
נָ֡א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֶבַח֩
hath a sacrifice
H2077
זֶבַח֩
hath a sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
5 of 29
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
מִשְׁפָּחָ֨ה
I pray thee for our family
H4940
מִשְׁפָּחָ֨ה
I pray thee for our family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
6 of 29
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
בָּעִ֗יר
in the city
H5892
בָּעִ֗יר
in the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְה֤וּא
H1931
וְה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 29
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֶחָ֑י
and my brother
H251
אֶחָ֑י
and my brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
12 of 29
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
14 of 29
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מָצָ֤אתִי
me to be there and now if I have found
H4672
מָצָ֤אתִי
me to be there and now if I have found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
חֵן֙
favour
H2580
חֵן֙
favour
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
16 of 29
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ
in thine eyes
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ
in thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
17 of 29
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אִמָּ֥לְטָה
let me get away
H4422
אִמָּ֥לְטָה
let me get away
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
נָּ֖א
H4994
נָּ֖א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
19 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וְאֶרְאֶ֣ה
I pray thee and see
H7200
וְאֶרְאֶ֣ה
I pray thee and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
20 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶחָ֑י
and my brother
H251
אֶחָ֑י
and my brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
22 of 29
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
25 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בָ֔א
Therefore he cometh
H935
בָ֔א
Therefore he cometh
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
26 of 29
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
Family sacrifices at ancestral locations were regular religious obligations. Brothers typically organized family gatherings, making this detail believable. The polite request formula 'if I have found favour' was standard deferential speech.
Questions for Reflection
- How do careful details create believable explanations?
- What does Jonathan's elaborate response reveal about the preparation required for difficult conversations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Jonathan expands the explanation with details lending credibility: family sacrifice, brother's command, polite request. The phrase 'if I have found favour in thine eyes' uses deferential language. Mentioning the brother's command shifted responsibility away from David's initiative. Jonathan concluded definitively: 'Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.' The elaborate explanation provided cover while testing Saul's true response. Every detail had been planned to create plausible reason for absence while provoking revelation of Saul's intentions.