So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
This moment belongs to the time after David slew Goliath, when Saul kept David with him and would not let him return to his father's house. At that time David had been entrusted with important responsibilities, yet he kept his modesty and won the affection of the people and of the royal household. In providence God had connected David with Saul, so that by wise behavior David would gain the confidence of the people, and so that by a long course of hardships and vicissitudes David would learn to put his entire trust in God while being prepared to become ruler of his people.
Behind the hiding in the field lies the covenant by which Jonathan and David were united as brothers, when Jonathan gave David his robe and garments together with his sword and bow and girdle, knitting his heart with David's in love for him as his own soul. That friendship was the Lord's doing and remained unbroken until the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, so that Jonathan would preserve the life of the future ruler of Israel when Saul tried to kill him. The new moon was a sacred festival celebrated in Israel, coming the day after the interview between David and Jonathan, at which both young men were expected to appear at the king's table.
David's hiding in the field was part of an agreed test of Saul because David feared to be present. He would first visit his brothers in Bethlehem for the sacrifice offered by his father's household, then on his return hide in a field not far from the banqueting hall. He would stay away from the king for three days while Jonathan watched the effect on Saul, with a favorable response meaning David could safely return to court and rage at his absence deciding that David must flee. On the first day of the feast Saul made no inquiry about David's vacant place, but on the second day he asked about it.
This moment belongs to the time after David slew Goliath, when Saul kept David with him and would not let him return to his father's house. At that time David had been entrusted with important responsibilities, yet he kept his modesty and won the affection of the people and of the royal household. In providence God had connected David with Saul, so that by wise behavior David would gain the confidence of the people, and so that by a long course of hardships and vicissitudes David would learn to put his entire trust in God while being prepared to become ruler of his people.
Behind the hiding in the field lies the covenant by which Jonathan and David were united as brothers, when Jonathan gave David his robe and garments together with his sword and bow and girdle, knitting his heart with David's in love for him as his own soul. That friendship was the Lord's doing and remained unbroken until the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, so that Jonathan would preserve the life of the future ruler of Israel when Saul tried to kill him. The new moon was a sacred festival celebrated in Israel, coming the day after the interview between David and Jonathan, at which both young men were expected to appear at the king's table.
David's hiding in the field was part of an agreed test of Saul because David feared to be present. He would first visit his brothers in Bethlehem for the sacrifice offered by his father's household, then on his return hide in a field not far from the banqueting hall. He would stay away from the king for three days while Jonathan watched the effect on Saul, with a favorable response meaning David could safely return to court and rage at his absence deciding that David must flee. On the first day of the feast Saul made no inquiry about David's vacant place, but on the second day he asked about it.