שמואל א, פרק כ׳, פסוק כ״ט

Jonathan carefully constructs an explanation for David's absence, aiming to justify his departure from the royal court without slighting the king. The reasoning centers on a prior family obligation and emphasizes that David acted with proper protocol by requesting permission to leave [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. The stated reason for the journey is a family sacrifice, as David's relatives had gathered in his hometown that day to offer peace offerings [מצודת דוד].

To further legitimize the trip, the excuse highlights that David was summoned by his brother. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to Eliab, David's eldest brother, who acted as the head of the household and ordered him to attend the gathering. This detail reflects the accepted custom of the era, where a younger brother was obligated to honor and obey the directives of his older sibling [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ].

David's plea to slip away is understood as a request for a temporary release from his duties in the king's service [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. The intention was to leave for merely one day before returning [רש״י]. Furthermore, the goal of the journey was not simply to eat and drink at the feast, but to reunite with his brothers and share in their celebration [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].

By concluding his explanation with the fact that David had been granted leave, Jonathan makes it clear to Saul that the absence is entirely authorized. He frames the situation to ensure the king understands that David's failure to appear at the royal table is neither a sign of disrespect nor an act of rebellion [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ].