1 Samuel 20:6
New International Version
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.’

New Living Translation
If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family sacrifice.

English Standard Version
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.’

Berean Standard Bible
If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’

King James Bible
If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

New King James Version
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked permission of me that he might run over to Bethlehem, his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’

New American Standard Bible
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly requested leave of me to run to Bethlehem, his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’

NASB 1995
“If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’

NASB 1977
“If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’

Legacy Standard Bible
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’

Amplified Bible
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked permission from me to go to Bethlehem, his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the entire family.’

Christian Standard Bible
If your father misses me at all, say, ‘David urgently requested my permission to go quickly to his hometown, Bethlehem, for an annual sacrifice there involving the whole clan.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If your father misses me at all, say, ‘David urgently requested my permission to quickly go to his town Bethlehem for an annual sacrifice there involving the whole clan.’

American Standard Version
If thy father miss me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Contemporary English Version
If Saul wonders where I am, tell him, "David asked me to let him go to his hometown of Bethlehem, so he could take part in a sacrifice his family makes there every year."

English Revised Version
If thy father miss me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If your father really misses me, tell him, 'David repeatedly begged me to let him run to Bethlehem, his hometown, because his relatives are offering the annual sacrifice there.'

Good News Translation
If your father notices that I am not at the table, tell him that I begged your permission to hurry home to Bethlehem, since it's the time for the annual sacrifice there for my whole family.

International Standard Version
If your father actually notices that I'm not there, then you are to say, 'David urgently requested that I allow him to run to his hometown of Bethlehem because the yearly sacrifice for the entire family was taking place there.'

Majority Standard Bible
If your father misses me at all, tell him, ?David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.?

NET Bible
If your father happens to miss me, you should say, 'David urgently requested me to let him go to his city Bethlehem, for there is an annual sacrifice there for his entire family.'

New Heart English Bible
If your father missed me at all, then say, 'David urgently requested of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city, for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.'

Webster's Bible Translation
If thy father shall at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me, that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

World English Bible
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem, his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
if your father looks after me at all, then you have said, David earnestly asked of me to run to his city of Beth-Lehem, for there [is] a sacrifice of the days for all the family.

Young's Literal Translation
if thy father at all look after me, and thou hast said, David asked earnestly of me to run to Beth-Lehem his city, for a sacrifice of the days is there for all the family.

Smith's Literal Translation
If reviewing, thy father shall review me, and thou saidst, Asking, David asked of me to run to the House of Bread, his city; for a sacrifice of days there to all the family.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thy father look and inquire for me, thou shalt answer him: David asked me that he might run to Bethlehem his own city: because there are solemn sacrifices there for all his tribe.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If your father, looking around, will seek me, you shall respond to him: ‘David asked me if he may hurry to Bethlehem, his own city. For there are solemn sacrifices in that place for all of his tribe together.’

New American Bible
If it turns out that your father misses me, say, ‘David urged me to let him go on short notice to his city Bethlehem, because his whole clan is holding its seasonal sacrifice there.’

New Revised Standard Version
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If your father should miss me, then say to him. David earnestly asked leave of me that he might go to Beth-lehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If your father will surely ask about me, say to him: ‘David urgently requested of me to go to Bayth Lekhem his town, because there is a sacrifice of days for all the family’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If thy father miss me at all, then say: David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if thy father do in anywise enquire for me, then shalt thou say, David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethleem his city, for there is there, a yearly sacrifice for all the family.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan Helps David
5So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I am supposed to dine with the king. Instead, let me go and hide in the field until the third evening from now. 6If your father misses me at all, tell him, ‘David urgently requested my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because there is an annual sacrifice for his whole clan.’ 7If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he is enraged, you will know he has evil intentions.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:2
“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

1 Samuel 19:2-3
so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. / I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, so I can ask about you. And if I find out anything, I will tell you.”

1 Samuel 21:2
“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.

1 Samuel 22:3
From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.”

1 Samuel 25:8
Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can spare to your servants and to your son David.’”

2 Samuel 15:7-9
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’” / “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

2 Kings 4:23
“Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said.

2 Kings 5:18
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

2 Chronicles 30:18
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Proverbs 27:10
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Matthew 12:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

Matthew 26:17-19
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” / So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Mark 2:25-26
Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? / During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

Luke 2:41-42
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. / And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.


Treasury of Scripture

If your father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Beth-lehem

1 Samuel 17:58
And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

John 7:42
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

sacrifice.

1 Samuel 9:12
And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

1 Samuel 16:2-5
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Actually Annual Bethlehem Beth-Lehem City David Earnestly Hometown Hurry Leave Miss Misses Note Offering Permission Request Run Sacrifice Time Whole Yearly
Jump to Next
Actually Annual Bethlehem Beth-Lehem City David Earnestly Hometown Hurry Leave Miss Misses Note Offering Permission Request Run Sacrifice Time Whole Yearly
1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














If your father misses me at all
This phrase sets the stage for a test of Saul's intentions towards David. The Hebrew root for "misses" (פָּקַד, paqad) can imply noticing an absence or taking account of someone. In the context of ancient Israel, where family and tribal connections were paramount, the absence of a key figure like David would be significant. This phrase underscores the tension and uncertainty in David's relationship with Saul, highlighting the precariousness of David's position at court.

tell him
The instruction to "tell him" indicates a planned deception, which is a strategic move by Jonathan and David. In the Hebrew culture, communication was often direct and personal, and the act of conveying a message carried weight and responsibility. This phrase reflects the trust between Jonathan and David, as well as the gravity of the situation, where words could determine life or death.

David urgently requested
The urgency in David's request is emphasized by the Hebrew word שָׁאַל (sha'al), which means to ask or request earnestly. This urgency reflects the dire circumstances David finds himself in, needing to escape Saul's wrath. It also shows David's reliance on Jonathan's loyalty and the necessity of quick action in the face of danger.

my permission to hurry
The concept of seeking "permission" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) in this context is significant, as it reflects the hierarchical and respectful nature of relationships in ancient Israel. David, despite being anointed by God, still respects the authority of Saul and Jonathan. The word "hurry" (מָהַר, mahar) conveys the immediacy and seriousness of the situation, emphasizing the need for swift action to avoid potential harm.

to Bethlehem, his hometown
Bethlehem, known as the "House of Bread," is significant as David's birthplace and later as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. This reference to Bethlehem roots David in his familial and tribal identity, highlighting the importance of kinship and heritage in Israelite society. It also foreshadows the Messianic lineage, connecting David's account to the broader narrative of salvation history.

because there is an annual sacrifice
The mention of an "annual sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach) situates the narrative within the religious practices of ancient Israel. Sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, serving as acts of atonement, thanksgiving, and communal celebration. This detail not only provides a plausible reason for David's absence but also underscores the religious and cultural backdrop of the story, where faith and tradition are interwoven with daily life.

for his whole clan
The reference to "his whole clan" (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah) highlights the communal nature of Israelite society, where family and tribal affiliations were crucial. This phrase emphasizes the collective identity and responsibility within the clan, reflecting the interconnectedness of personal and communal obligations. It also underscores the potential impact of David's absence on his family, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative.

(6) A yearly sacrifice.--The Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 12:5 and following verses) strictly required these great sacrificial feasts to be kept at the Tabernacle, "unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes;" but ever since the destruction of the Tabernacle of Shiloh there had been no central sanctuary, and these solemn feasts had been held, most probably, in tribal centres. "In the then disorganised condition of public worship to which David first gave regular form, family usages of this sort, after the manner of other nations, had established themselves, which were contrary to the (Mosaic) prescriptions concerning the unity of Divine worship."--O. von Gerlach, in Lange. It is highly probable that the festival in question was at this time being held at Bethlehem. It is, however, clear that David did not purpose being present at it, and therefore the excuse was a feigned one. The morality of this request of David is by no means sanctioned by the compiler of the history; he simply relates the story.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

your father
אָבִ֑יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

misses me
יִפְקְדֵ֖נִי (yip̄·qə·ḏê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

at all,
פָּקֹ֥ד (pā·qōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

tell him,
וְאָמַרְתָּ֗ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘David
דָוִד֙ (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

urgently requested
נִשְׁאֹל֩ (niš·’ōl)
Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

my [permission]
נִשְׁאַ֨ל (niš·’al)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

to hurry
לָרוּץ֙ (lā·rūṣ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7323: To run

to Bethlehem,
לֶ֣חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

his hometown,
עִיר֔וֹ (‘î·rōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

there is
שָׁ֖ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

an annual
הַיָּמִ֛ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

sacrifice
זֶ֧בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

for his whole
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

clan.’
הַמִּשְׁפָּחָֽה׃ (ham·miš·pā·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father miss me at all (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:5
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