1 Samuel 20:41
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.
Original Language Analysis
הַנַּעַר֮
And as soon as the lad
H5288
הַנַּעַר֮
And as soon as the lad
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
1 of 23
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
קָ֚ם
arose
H6965
קָ֚ם
arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
4 of 23
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
הַנֶּ֔גֶב
the south
H5045
הַנֶּ֔גֶב
the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
6 of 23
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וַיִּפֹּ֨ל
and fell
H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֨ל
and fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
7 of 23
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לְאַפָּ֥יו
on his face
H639
לְאַפָּ֥יו
on his face
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
and bowed
H7812
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
and bowed
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
10 of 23
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ
himself three
H7969
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ
himself three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
11 of 23
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פְּעָמִ֑ים
times
H6471
פְּעָמִ֑ים
times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
12 of 23
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
וַֽיִּשְּׁק֣וּ׀
and they kissed
H5401
וַֽיִּשְּׁק֣וּ׀
and they kissed
Strong's:
H5401
Word #:
13 of 23
to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
אִ֣ישׁ
one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
14 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִ֣ישׁ
one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
18 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Bowing three times indicated profound respect and honor. Kissing between men expressed deep affection in ancient Near Eastern culture. David's excessive weeping may reflect his greater uncertainty about the future.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you handle grief at partings that faithfulness requires?
- What does the depth of David's weeping teach about the emotional cost of following God's path?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
The friends' tearful parting 'until David exceeded' shows depth of grief at separation. David's greater weeping reflected his greater loss - home, position, family, future. The threefold bowing and mutual kissing followed ancient protocols for emotional leave-taking. This poignant scene represents the cost of faithfulness: those who love deeply must sometimes part painfully.