1 Samuel 20:18 kjv — Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy 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."

— 1 Samuel 20:18, King James Version

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1 Samuel 20:18 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 20 — Context

15

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

16

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

17

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18

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

19

And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

20

And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

21

And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the Lord liveth.

1 Samuel 20:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 20:18 say?
1 Samuel 20:18 in the King James Version reads: “Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.”
Where is 1 Samuel 20:18 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 20:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 20, verse 18.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 20:18.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 20:18 in?
1 Samuel 20:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 20:18?
1 Samuel 20:18 reads (KJV): “Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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