1 Samuel 20:24

“So David hid himself in the field, etc.] Not directly, but at the time appointed; for he went to Bethlehem, and returned from thence before that time: and when the new moon was come; the first clay of the month, which was a solemn festival: the king sat him down to eat meat; Saul sat down at his table to eat of the provisions that were set upon it; which it is very probable were the peace offerings for that day, which he, his family, and nobles, feasted on together; it is in the Hebrew, “he sat down at the bread” f417, which is put for all the food on the table, and the provisions of it.”

“Hid himself - Namely, at the time appointed: for it seems probable, that he went first to Bethlehem, and thence returned to the field, when the occasion required. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:25”

“the king: Psa 50:16-21; Pro 4:17, Pro 15:17, Pro 17:1, Pro 21:3, Pro 21:27; Isa 1:11-15; Zac 7:6; Joh 18:28 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:25”

“David thereupon concealed himself in the field, whilst Jonathan, as agreed upon, endeavoured to apologize for his absence from the king's table. Sa1 20:24-25 On the new moon's day Saul sat at table, and as always, at his seat by the wall, i.e., at the top, just as, in eastern lands at the present day, the place of honour is the seat in the corner (see Harmar Beobachtungen ii. pp. 66ff.). "And Jonathan rose up, and Abner seated himself by the side of Saul, and David's place remained empty." The difficult passage, "And Jonathan rose up," etc., can hardly be understood in any other way than as signifying that, when Abner entered, Jonathan rose from his seat by the side of Saul, and gave up the…”