1 Samuel 20:35

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 20:35 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
1 Samuel 20:35 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
35And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass in the morning:, etc.] The next morning, the morning of the third day of the month: that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David; he went to the place in the field, or near it, where David hid himself, and at the time agreed between them; which, Abarbinel says, was the time the nobles agreed on for walking, and motion, and for hunting, and casting of arrows, so that Jonathan could go forth without suspicion: and a little lad with him; to carry his bow and arrows, and fetch his arrows when cast.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed--or, "at the place appointed."”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“at the time: Sa1 20:19; Sa2 20:5 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:36”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The next morning Jonathan made David acquainted with what had occurred, by means of the sign agreed upon with David. The account of this, and of the meeting between Jonathan and David which followed, is given very concisely, only the main points being touched upon. In the morning (after what had occurred) Jonathan went to the field, דּוד למועד, either "at the time agreed upon with David," or "to the meeting with David," or perhaps better still, "according to the appointment (agreement) with David," and a small boy with him. Sa1 20:36 To the latter he said, namely as soon as they had come to the field, Run, get the arrows which I shoot. The boy ran, and he shot off the arrows, "to go out…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification