1 Samuel 20:5

“And David said unto Jonathan, etc.] Moved that the following method might be taken as a trial of the disposition of Saul’s mind towards David: behold, tomorrow [is] the new moon; the first day of the month, which was kept solemnly with burnt offerings and peace offerings, (see <041010>Numbers 10:10 28:11). Some say f408 this feast was not kept for the new moon, but because it was the day of the feast of trumpets or the first day of the new year, which fell together on that day; the calends, or first day of the month, was with the Heathens sacred to deity f409, in imitation of the Jews: and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat; it had been usual for him at such a time to sit at…”

“David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to-morrow the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat--The beginning of a new month or moon was always celebrated by special sacrifices, followed by feasting, at which the head of a family expected all its members to be present. David, both as the king's son-in-law and a distinguished courtier, dined on such occasions at the royal table, and from its being generally known that David had returned to Gibeah, his presence in the palace would be naturally expected. This occasion was chosen by the two friends for testing the king's state of feeling. As a suitable pretext for David's absence, it was arranged that he should visit his family at…”

“The new moon, or beginning of each month, was celebrated with especial sacrifices and blowing of trumpets (marginal references.) The feast was kept with great solemnity as “a day of gladness,” and we may presume that the “peace offerings” offered on the occasion furnished the tables of those that offered. return to 'Top of Page'”

“To the third day - That is, unto the next day, but one after the new moon. His meaning is not, that he would hide himself in any certain place all the three days, but that he would secure himself either at Bethlehem with his friends, or in any other place 'till the third day. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:6”

“20:5 new moon festival: The ancient Hebrews followed a lunar calendar, and the new moon marked the start of a new month. Every month was begun with a special sacrifice (Num 28:11-15), which became a monthly festival.”

“the new moon: The months of the Hebrews were lunar months, and they reckoned from one new moon to another. and, as their feasts, particularly the passover, were reckoned according to this, they were very scrupulous in observing the first appearance of each new moon. On these new moons, they offered sacrifices, and feasted together, but the gathering together of all the families of a tribe on such occasions seems to have taken place only once in the year. Sa1 20:6; Num 10:10, Num 28:11; Kg2 4:23; Psa 81:3; Col 2:16 that I may: Sa1 20:19, Sa1 19:2; Psa 55:12; Pro 22:3; Joh 8:59; Act 17:14 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 20:6”