1 Samuel 20:7, commentary and pictures

This belongs to the time after David defeated Goliath, when Saul kept David with him and would not let him return to his father's house, entrusted him with important responsibilities, and David by modesty won the affection of the people and the royal household. Behind it stands the close bond between Jonathan and David, in which Jonathan's soul was knit to David's soul and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. They made a covenant to be united as brothers, and Jonathan gave David his robe and his garments, even his sword and his bow and his girdle. That bond had been established by God.

The verse gives the agreed sign for discovering Saul's intention toward David, as part of Jonathan's effort to learn whether Saul meant to kill David and to protect David from him. In this way Jonathan became a means of preserving David's life when Saul sought to kill him. The arrangement centered on the sacred new moon festival, when both young men were expected at the king's table and David feared to be present. It was therefore arranged that David would visit his brothers in Bethlehem and then hide in a field not far from the banqueting hall, staying away from the king for three days while Jonathan watched the effect. If inquiry was made about the son of Jesse, Jonathan was to explain that he had gone home to attend the sacrifice offered by his father's household.

The sign had two outcomes: if Saul showed no angry reaction but answered favorably, David would know he had peace and could safely return to the court. But if Saul became very angry and enraged over his absence, David would know that evil was determined by him and that the matter of his flight was decided. The test was fulfilled when Saul reacted with ungovernable anger and demanded that David be brought to be put to death. He even hurled his spear at Jonathan, proving that evil was determined by him and that David had to flee.