1 Samuel 20:29 net — 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…

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.”"

— 1 Samuel 20:29, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

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1 Samuel 20:29 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “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.”

  • ASV

    “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. ”

  • WEB

    “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."”

  • DRB

    “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.”

  • BBE

    “Saying, Our family is making an offering in the town, and my brothers have given me orders to be there: so now, if I have grace in your eyes, let me go away and see my brothers. This is why he has not come to the king's table.”

  • KJVA

    “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.”

1 Samuel 20 — Context

26

However, Saul said nothing about it that day, for he thought,“Something has happened to make him ceremonially unclean. Yes, he must be unclean.”

27

But the next morning, the second day of the new moon, David’s place was still vacant. So Saul said to his son Jonathan,“Why has Jesse’s son not come to the meal yesterday or today?”

28

Jonathan replied to Saul,“David urgently requested that he be allowed to go to Bethlehem.

29

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.”

30

Saul became angry with Jonathan and said to him,“You stupid traitor! Don’t I realize that to your own disgrace and to the disgrace of your mother’s nakedness you have chosen this son of Jesse?

31

For as long as this son of Jesse is alive on the earth, you and your kingdom will not be established. Now, send some men and bring him to me. For he is as good as dead!”

32

Jonathan responded to his father Saul,“Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”

1 Samuel 20:29 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 20:29 say?
1 Samuel 20:29 in the NET Bible reads: “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.””
Where is 1 Samuel 20:29 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 20:29 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 20, verse 29.
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 20:29.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 20:29 in?
1 Samuel 20:29 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 20:29?
1 Samuel 20:29 reads (NET): “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.”” 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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