1 Samuel 20:26

“Nevertheless, Saul spake not anything that day, etc.] About David’s absence, took no notice of it, said nothing about it: for he thought something had befallen him; some impurity, some nocturnal pollution, (see <031516>Leviticus 15:16); he [is] not clean, surely he [is] not clean; which he repeated in his mind for the confirmation of it, and in contempt, and to the reproach of David; and in this way he accounted for his absence the first day, and so was easy, it not being lawful and fitting for an unclean person in a ceremonial sense to eat of the peace offerings, which Saul and his family were now partaking of.”

“he is not clean--No notice was taken of David's absence, as he might be laboring under some ceremonial defilement.”

“He is not clean - The new moon being a religious feast, and the meat to be eaten being peace-offerings, no one could assist at the feast who had any ceremonial uncleanness upon him (marginal references). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Something - Some accident which has rendered him unclean, and so unfit to partake of this feast, which consisted in part of the remainders of the peace - offerings, according to the law, Lev 7:20. Unfit also to come into any company, much more, into the king's company, lest he should pollute them also. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:27”

“20:26-27 A number of circumstances could render a person ceremonially unclean and thus unfit for attending a sacred festival (see Lev 7:20-21). Often, an unclean person was required to be excluded from such functions only until the evening of the same day (Lev 15). This explains why Saul became suspicious after David did not arrive the next day. • Saul referred to David as the son of Jesse (also in 1 Sam 20:31; 22:7), a description that functioned as David’s surname.”

“he is not clean: Lev 7:21, Lev 11:24, Lev 11:27, Lev 11:31, Lev 11:40, Lev 15:5, Lev 15:16, Lev 15:17, Lev 15:19-21; Num 19:16 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:27”