Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
The verse belongs to the account of Jonathan loving David as his own soul, with his soul knit to David's soul, and making a covenant to be united as brethren in a close bond. That covenant love was shown when Jonathan stripped himself of his robe and gave David his robe and garments, even his sword and his bow and his girdle.
The tomorrow spoken of is the new moon, a sacred festival celebrated in Israel, coming the day after their interview, when both young men were expected to appear at the king's table. Because David feared to be present, it was arranged that he should visit his brothers in Bethlehem and on his return hide himself in a field not far from the banqueting hall, absenting himself from the king for three days, while Jonathan would note Saul's reaction to the empty seat to decide whether it was safe for David to return to court or whether he must flee.
The friendship expressed here is what God used to preserve David's life, as the future ruler of Israel, when Saul tried to kill him. That friendship between Jonathan and David remained unbroken through Saul's death.
The verse belongs to the account of Jonathan loving David as his own soul, with his soul knit to David's soul, and making a covenant to be united as brethren in a close bond. That covenant love was shown when Jonathan stripped himself of his robe and gave David his robe and garments, even his sword and his bow and his girdle.
The tomorrow spoken of is the new moon, a sacred festival celebrated in Israel, coming the day after their interview, when both young men were expected to appear at the king's table. Because David feared to be present, it was arranged that he should visit his brothers in Bethlehem and on his return hide himself in a field not far from the banqueting hall, absenting himself from the king for three days, while Jonathan would note Saul's reaction to the empty seat to decide whether it was safe for David to return to court or whether he must flee.
The friendship expressed here is what God used to preserve David's life, as the future ruler of Israel, when Saul tried to kill him. That friendship between Jonathan and David remained unbroken through Saul's death.