1 Samuel 20:29
New International Version
He said, ‘Let me go, because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. If I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away to see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”

New Living Translation
He said, ‘Please let me go, for we are having a family sacrifice. My brother demanded that I be there. So please let me get away to see my brothers.’ That’s why he isn’t here at the king’s table.”

English Standard Version
He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

Berean Standard Bible
saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he did not come to the king’s table.”

King James Bible
And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.

New King James Version
And he said, ‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. And now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me get away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king’s table.”

New American Standard Bible
He said, ‘Please let me go, because our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has ordered me to attend. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me slip away so that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

NASB 1995
for he said, ‘Please let me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

NASB 1977
for he said, ‘Please let me go, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. And now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and he said, ‘Please send me on my way, since our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, please let me get away that I may see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

Amplified Bible
He said, ‘Please let me go because our family is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to attend. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me slip away so that I may see my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”

Christian Standard Bible
He said, ‘Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor with you, let me go so I can see my brothers.’ That’s why he didn’t come to the king’s table.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said, ‘Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if you are pleased with me, let me go so I can see my brothers.’ That’s why he didn’t come to the king’s table.”

American Standard Version
and he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favor in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he is not come unto the king's table.

English Revised Version
and he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he is not come unto the king's table.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David said to me 'Please let me go. Our relatives will offer a sacrifice in the city, and my brother ordered me to be there. If you will permit it, please let me go to see my brothers.' This is why he hasn't come to your banquet."

Good News Translation
'Please let me go,' he said, 'because our family is celebrating the sacrificial feast in town, and my brother ordered me to be there. So then, if you are my friend, let me go and see my relatives.' That is why he isn't in his place at your table."

International Standard Version
He said, 'Please let me go because our family has a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has ordered me to come. Now, if it's acceptable to you, please let me get away so I can see my brothers.' That's the reason he didn't come to the king's table."

Majority Standard Bible
saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he did not come to the king’s table.”

NET Bible
He said, 'Permit me to go, for we are having a family sacrifice in the city, and my brother urged me to be there. So now, if I have found favor with you, let me go to see my brothers.' For that reason he has not come to the king's table."

New Heart English Bible
He said, 'Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. And as for me, my brothers have ordered me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.' Therefore he has not come to the king's table."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother he hath commanded me to be there: and now if I have found favor in thy eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not to the king's table.

World English Bible
He said, ‘Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.’ Therefore he has not come to the king’s table.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says, Please send me away, for we have a family sacrifice in the city, and my brother has given command to me himself, and now, if I have found grace in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers; therefore he has not come to the table of the king.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, Send me away, I pray thee, for a family sacrifice we have in the city, and my brother himself hath given command to me, and now, if I have found grace in thine eyes, let me go away, I pray thee, and see my brethren; therefore he hath not come unto the table of the king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Send me away now, for a sacrifice of the family to us in the city; and my brother he commanded me: and now if I found grace in thine eyes, I will slip away now and see my brethren. For this he came not to the table of the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: Let me go, for there is a solemn sacrifice in the city, one of my brethren hath sent for me: and now if I have found favour in thy eyes, I will go quickly, and see my brethren. For this cause he came not to the king's table.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and he said: ‘Permit me. For there is a solemn sacrifice in the city. One of my brothers has summoned me. Now therefore, if I have found favor in your eyes, I will go quickly, and I will see my brothers.’ For this reason, he has not come to the table of the king.”

New American Bible
‘Please let me go,’ he begged, ‘for we are having a clan sacrifice in our city, and my brothers insist on my presence. Now then, if you think well of me, give me leave to visit my brothers.’ That is why he has not come to the king’s table.”

New Revised Standard Version
he said, ‘Let me go; for our family is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, let me get away, and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, Let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city; and my brother has commanded me to be there; and now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers. That is the reason he has not come to the king's table.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “‘Let me go, because there is a family sacrifice for us in the city, and ‘My brother commanded me and he said to me, ‘If I found love in your eyes’ I shall go and I shall see my brothers; because of this, he did not come to the table of the King”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and he said: Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me; and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he is not come unto the king's table.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and he said, Let me go, I pray thee, for we have a family sacrifice in the city, and my brethren have sent for me; and now, if I have found grace in thine eyes, I will even go over and see my brethren: therefore he is not present at the table of the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
28Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem, 29saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he did not come to the king’s table.”

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:2
“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 19:2
so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there.

1 Samuel 19:17
And Saul said to Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped!” Michal replied, “He said to me, ‘Help me get away, or I will kill you!’”

1 Samuel 21:2
“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.

2 Samuel 15:7-9
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’” / “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

Genesis 31:27
Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps.

Exodus 3:18
The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’

Exodus 5:3
“The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

Numbers 10:29-32
Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. ...

Joshua 9:22
Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us?

2 Kings 2:2
and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

2 Kings 4:22-23
And the woman called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return.” / “Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said.

Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

Matthew 15:4-6
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ / he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Let me go, I pray you; for our family has a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he has commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away, I pray you, and see my brothers. Therefore he comes not to the king's table.

my brother's

1 Samuel 17:28
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

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City Commanded Eyes King's Please Sacrifice Table
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City Commanded Eyes King's Please Sacrifice Table
1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














He said, 'Please let me go
This phrase reflects a request for permission, indicating a respectful and humble approach. In the Hebrew context, the word "please" (נָא, na) is often used to convey a polite entreaty. It underscores the importance of humility and respect in relationships, especially when addressing authority figures. This approach is consistent with the biblical principle of honoring those in leadership, as seen throughout Scripture.

because our clan has a sacrifice in the city
The mention of a "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach) highlights the religious and communal practices of ancient Israel. Sacrifices were central to worship and community life, serving as a means of atonement and fellowship with God. The "clan" (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah) indicates a family or extended family unit, emphasizing the communal nature of worship and the importance of family ties in Hebrew culture.

and my brother has told me to attend
The reference to "my brother" suggests familial obligations and the importance of kinship. In ancient Israel, family loyalty was paramount, and attending family gatherings was a duty. This phrase also implies a sense of accountability and responsibility within the family structure, reflecting the biblical value of honoring one's family.

So now, if I have found favor in your eyes
Finding "favor" (חֵן, chen) in someone's eyes is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with grace and approval. This phrase indicates a desire for approval and acceptance, which is a fundamental human need. It also reflects the biblical principle of seeking to live in a way that is pleasing to others, especially those in authority, as a reflection of one's character and integrity.

please let me go to see my brothers
The repetition of "please" reinforces the respectful tone of the request. The desire to "see my brothers" underscores the importance of maintaining family connections and fulfilling familial duties. In the biblical context, visiting family was not just a social obligation but a spiritual one, reflecting the commandment to honor one's family.

That is why he has not come to the king’s table
The "king’s table" symbolizes a place of honor and privilege. Not attending the king's table would be a significant absence, indicating the weight of the familial obligation. This phrase highlights the tension between personal duties and public responsibilities, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. It serves as a reminder of the need to balance different aspects of life while maintaining integrity and faithfulness to one's commitments.

(29) Our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me.--Jonathan answers the king's question in the way previously agreed upon between him and David. He quotes the excuse in David's own words.

The LXX., instead of "my brother," has "my brothers." It thus alters the original, not understanding the singular "brother," Jesse, their father, being still alive. The brothers collectively might, the LXX. seemed to think, have bidden David to the family sacrificial feast. Dean Payne Smith suggests that as the ceremony was not a private family gathering, but one shared in by the district, the "brother" (probably the eldest), likely enough, was the convener of the absent member of the house of Jesse.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
saying,
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Please
נָ֡א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

let me go
שַׁלְּחֵ֣נִי (šal·lə·ḥê·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

our clan
מִשְׁפָּחָ֨ה (miš·pā·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

is holding a sacrifice
זֶבַח֩ (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

in the city,
בָּעִ֗יר (bā·‘îr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and my brother
אָחִ֔י (’ā·ḥî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

has told
צִוָּֽה־ (ṣiw·wāh-)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

me to be there.
לִי֙ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

So now,
וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have found
מָצָ֤אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

favor
חֵן֙ (ḥên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective

in your eyes,
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

please
נָּ֖א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

let me go
אִמָּ֥לְטָה (’im·mā·lə·ṭāh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

and see
וְאֶרְאֶ֣ה (wə·’er·’eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

my brothers.’
אֶחָ֑י (’e·ḥāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

That is why
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

he did not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come
בָ֔א (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king’s
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

table.”
שֻׁלְחַ֖ן (šul·ḥan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:29 And he said Please let me go (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:28
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