1 Samuel 20:18

THE MESSAGE

Jonathan then laid out his plan: "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you'll be missed when you don't show up for dinner. On the third day, when they've quit expecting you, come to the place where you hid before, and wait beside that big boulder. I'll shoot three arrows in the direction of the boulder. Then I'll send off my servant, ‘Go find the arrows.' If I yell after the servant, ‘The arrows are on this side! Retrieve them!' that's the signal that you can return safely—as God lives, not a thing to fear! But if I yell, ‘The arrows are farther out!' then run for it— God wants you out of here! Regarding all the things we've discussed, remember that God 's in on this with us to the very end!"

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the New Moon; you’ll be missed because your seat will be empty.

Hebrew Names Version
Then Yonatan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

King James Version
Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Lexham English Bible
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, for your seat will stay empty.

English Standard Version
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

New Century Version
Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon festival. Your seat will be empty, so my father will miss you.

New English Translation
Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, for your seat will be empty.

Amplified Bible
Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon [festival], and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.

New American Standard Bible
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed since your seat will be empty.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then said Ionathan to him, To morowe is the first day of the moneth: and thou shalt be looked for, for thy place shalbe emptie.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be missing.

Contemporary English Version
After this Jonathan said: Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival, and people will wonder where you are, because your place will be empty.

Complete Jewish Bible
Y'honatan said to him, "Tomorrow is Rosh-Hodesh, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

Darby Translation
And Jonathan said to him, To-morrow is the new moon; and thou wilt be missed, for thy seat will be empty;

Easy-to-Read Version
Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon celebration. Your seat will be empty, so my father will see that you are gone.

George Lamsa Translation
Then Jonathan said to him. Tomorrow is the new moon; and you shall be missed, because your seat will be empty.

Good News Translation
Then Jonathan said to him, "Since tomorrow is the New Moon Festival, your absence will be noticed if you aren't at the meal.

Literal Translation
And Jonathan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon, and you shall be expected, for your seat will be empty.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and Ionathas sayde vnto him: Tomorow is ye new Mone, and thou shalt be axed after: for thou shalt be wanted where thou wast wonte to sit.

American Standard Version
Then Jonathan said unto him, To-morrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Bible in Basic English
Then Jonathan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and it will be seen that you are not present, for there will be no one in your seat.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then sayde Ionathan to Dauid: To morowe is the first day of the moone, and thou shalt be missed, because the place where thou wast wont to sit, shall be emptie.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Jonathan said unto him: 'To-morrow is the new moon; and thou wilt be missed, thy seat will be empty.

King James Version (1611)
Then Ionathan said to Dauid, To morrow is the newe moone: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat wil be emptie.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Jonathan said, To-morrow is the new moon, and thou wilt be enquired for, because thy seat will be observed as vacant.

English Revised Version
Then Jonathan said unto him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed if your seat is empty.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Jonathas seide to hym, `Calendis ben to morewe, and thou schalt be souyt;

Young's Literal Translation
And Jonathan saith to him, `To-morrow [is] new moon, and thou hast been looked after, for thy seat is looked after;

Update Bible Version
Then Jonathan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Jonathan said to David, To-morrow [is] the new-moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

World English Bible
Then Jonathan said to him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

New King James Version
Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

New Living Translation
Then Jonathan said, "Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. You will be missed when your place at the table is empty.

New Life Bible
Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the new moon. You will be missed because your seat will be empty.

New Revised Standard
Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon; you will be missed, because your place will be empty.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said Jonathan unto him - To-morrow, is the new moon, and thou wilt be missed, for thy seat will be empty;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jonathan said to him: To morrow is the new moon, and thou wilt be missed:

Revised Standard Version
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.

Contextual Overview

⁹ "Never!" exclaimed Jonathan. "I'd never do that! If I get the slightest hint that my father is fixated on killing you, I'll tell you." ¹⁰ David asked, "And whom will you get to tell me if your father comes back with a harsh answer?" ¹¹"Come outside," said Jonathan. "Let's go to the field." When the two of them were out in the field, Jonathan said, "As God , the God of Israel, is my witness, by this time tomorrow I'll get it out of my father how he feels about you. Then I'll let you know what I learn. May God do his worst to me if I let you down! If my father still intends to kill you, I'll tell you and get you out of here in one piece. And God be with you as he's been with my father! If I make it through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend. And if I die, keep the covenant friendship with my family—forever. And when God finally rids the earth of David's enemies, stay loyal to Jonathan!" Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He loved David more than his own soul! ¹⁸Jonathan then laid out his plan: "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you'll be missed when you don't show up for dinner. On the third day, when they've quit expecting you, come to the place where you hid before, and wait beside that big boulder. I'll shoot three arrows in the direction of the boulder. Then I'll send off my servant, ‘Go find the arrows.' If I yell after the servant, ‘The arrows are on this side! Retrieve them!' that's the signal that you can return safely—as God lives, not a thing to fear! But if I yell, ‘The arrows are farther out!' then run for it— God wants you out of here! Regarding all the things we've discussed, remember that God 's in on this with us to the very end!"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

new moon: 1 Samuel 20:5

and thou shalt: Among the forms of salutation and compliment used in Persia, one was, according to my mode of notation in italics, Ja i shama khali bud pish yaran, signifying, Thy place or seat was empty among thy friends. This phrase, or the greater part of it, was frequently addressed to myself when coming into a circle of Persian acquaintances, after an absence of several days or weeks. It reminded me of a passage in the First book of Samuel - 1 Samuel 20:18. And thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And again, David's place was empty." Sir W. Ouseley's Travels, vol i. preface, p.16.

empty: Heb. missed

Reciprocal: Colossians 2:16 - the new

Cross-References

Genesis 30:2
Jacob got angry with Rachel and said, "Am I God? Am I the one who refused you babies?"

1 Samuel 5:10
So they sent the Chest of God on to Ekron, but as the Chest was being brought into town, the people shouted in protest, "You'll kill us all by bringing in this Chest of the God of Israel!" They called the Philistine leaders together and demanded, "Get it out of here, this Chest of the God of Israel. Send it back where it came from. We're threatened with mass death!" For everyone was scared to death when the Chest of God showed up. God was already coming down very hard on the place. Those who didn't die were hit with tumors. All over the city cries of pain and lament filled the air.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then Jonathan said to David, tomorrow [is] the new moon,.... The first day of the month, as David had before observed, 1 Samuel 20:5;

and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty; or be inquired after, because not in his usual place at mealtime.