They realized that their moment of parting would permanently alter their lives, and it is a poignant reminder of the cost of pursuing God’s calling despite worldly opposition.
Then “When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more” (v.41). David, living around 1040-970 BC, had been hiding at Jonathan’s suggestion from King Saul (who reigned approximately 1050-1010 BC), because Saul’s jealousy toward David had turned murderous. In this verse, Jonathan’s young servant departs, leaving David and Jonathan free to express the grief of a forced separation. David “rose from the south side,” indicating he had been lying low to avoid detection, then respectfully bowed three times, a sign of deep reverence for Jonathan’s royal lineage and personal affection. Their farewell is heart-wrenching, reflecting the bond they shared as David wept uncontrollably, aware that his life would never be the same after leaving Jonathan’s side.
“And they kissed each other and wept together” (v.41) further shows the covenant faithfulness between these two men. Jonathan, Saul’s son, had every material reason to oppose David, who was destined to succeed his father as king. Yet he recognized David’s divine anointing (1 Samuel 16:13) and acted to preserve David’s life, because they had sworn a sacred loyalty. Historical context places this moment near Gibeah, Saul’s hometown, intensifying David’s danger and deepening the significance of Jonathan’s help. Their open display of sorrow and affection underscores the depth of their relationship and the tragic circumstance that forced David to flee.
This moment highlights Jonathan’s sacrificial love and David’s faith in God’s sovereign plan, foreshadowing the kind of steadfast devotion that points forward to the New Testament’s idea of sacrificial friendship (John 15:13). Their farewell underscores God’s providence in raising David to kingship, even through hardship and grief.
Their final embrace seals one of the most moving examples of covenant friendship in Scripture.
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1 Samuel 20:41 meaning
Then “When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more” (v.41). David, living around 1040-970 BC, had been hiding at Jonathan’s suggestion from King Saul (who reigned approximately 1050-1010 BC), because Saul’s jealousy toward David had turned murderous. In this verse, Jonathan’s young servant departs, leaving David and Jonathan free to express the grief of a forced separation. David “rose from the south side,” indicating he had been lying low to avoid detection, then respectfully bowed three times, a sign of deep reverence for Jonathan’s royal lineage and personal affection. Their farewell is heart-wrenching, reflecting the bond they shared as David wept uncontrollably, aware that his life would never be the same after leaving Jonathan’s side.
“And they kissed each other and wept together” (v.41) further shows the covenant faithfulness between these two men. Jonathan, Saul’s son, had every material reason to oppose David, who was destined to succeed his father as king. Yet he recognized David’s divine anointing (1 Samuel 16:13) and acted to preserve David’s life, because they had sworn a sacred loyalty. Historical context places this moment near Gibeah, Saul’s hometown, intensifying David’s danger and deepening the significance of Jonathan’s help. Their open display of sorrow and affection underscores the depth of their relationship and the tragic circumstance that forced David to flee.
This moment highlights Jonathan’s sacrificial love and David’s faith in God’s sovereign plan, foreshadowing the kind of steadfast devotion that points forward to the New Testament’s idea of sacrificial friendship (John 15:13). Their farewell underscores God’s providence in raising David to kingship, even through hardship and grief.
Their final embrace seals one of the most moving examples of covenant friendship in Scripture.