The Meaning of 1 Samuel 20:25 Explained

1 Samuel 20:25

KJV: And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.

YLT: and the king sitteth on his seat, as time by time, on a seat by the wall, and Jonathan riseth, and Abner sitteth at the side of Saul, and David's place is looked after.

Darby: And the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.

ASV: And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side: but David's place was empty.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the king  sat  upon his seat,  as at other times,  [even] upon a seat  by the wall:  and Jonathan  arose,  and Abner  sat  by Saul's  side,  and David's  place  was empty. 

What does 1 Samuel 20:25 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Samuel 20:17-29 - A Friend At Court
Jonathan most have been strongly tempted to ally himself with his friend, that they might face the world together; but he clung loyally to his father's fortunes, though he knew that he was courting failure and overthrow. At the same time he stood nobly forth at the banquet in defense of his friend. What a rebuke for some of us! The Prince of the kings of the earth is not ashamed to call us brethren, but alas, how often we shrink from acknowledging and confessing Him when in company which refuses to own His supremacy. We are silent when His honor is flouted, we flinch before the rising storm; if we do not take sides against Him, we at least do not speak up on His behalf. Such cowards are we in spite of our covenants!
Saul's jealousy broke out with volcanic vehemence. The king and father abused his son with vile epithets, such as are still employed by Orientals. He demanded David's instant execution, and ended by seeking to take Jonathan's life. Truly it may be said of him, as was afterward said of Judas-Satan had entered into him. Be watchful not to give the smallest foothold to the devil. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in 1 Samuel 20:25 mean?

And sat the king on his seat as at other times on a seat the by wall and arose Jonathan Abner by side of Saul but was empty place of David
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ עַל־ מ֨וֹשָׁב֜וֹ כְּפַ֣עַם ׀ בְּפַ֗עַם אֶל־ מוֹשַׁב֙ הַקִּ֔יר וַיָּ֙קָם֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן אַבְנֵ֖ר מִצַּ֣ד שָׁא֑וּל וַיִּפָּקֵ֖ד מְק֥וֹם דָּוִֽד

וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב  And  sat 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
מ֨וֹשָׁב֜וֹ  his  seat 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מֹושָׁב  
Sense: seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers.
כְּפַ֣עַם ׀  as  at 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, feminine singular
Root: פַּעַם  
Sense: stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence.
בְּפַ֗עַם  other  times 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular
Root: פַּעַם  
Sense: stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence.
מוֹשַׁב֙  a  seat 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מֹושָׁב  
Sense: seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers.
הַקִּ֔יר  the  by  wall 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קִיר  
Sense: wall, side.
וַיָּ֙קָם֙  and  arose 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן  Jonathan 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יְהֹונָתָן  
Sense: a son of king Saul and a friend of David.
אַבְנֵ֖ר  Abner 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִינֵר 
Sense: Saul’s cousin and army captain, treacherously slain by Joab.
מִצַּ֣ד  by  side 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: צַד 
Sense: side.
שָׁא֑וּל  of  Saul 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׁאוּל  
Sense: a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the st king of Israel.
וַיִּפָּקֵ֖ד  but  was  empty 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּקַד 
Sense: to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for.
מְק֥וֹם  place 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
דָּוִֽד  of  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.

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