When thou hast stayed three days, &c. This is commonly interpreted of his staying so long with his kindred at Bethlehem. In the Hebrew the words are, Thou shalt three times go down to a very low place; and the meaning seems to be, that if Jonathan did not come to the place appointed the first day, David should take it for granted that he had no information of importance to communicate, and should come again the second day; and if Jonathan brought him no intelligence then, he should come on the third. Houbigant interprets the words, “But on the third day thou shalt come quickly to that place, in which thou shalt hide thyself on the feast-day.” When the business was in hand When this same business which they were now treating about was in agitation formerly; namely, to discover Saul's mind and purpose toward David, 1 Samuel 19:2-3. By the stone Ezel A stone probably erected to direct travellers in the way: he was to hide himself in some cave or other convenient place near it.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 20:19
1 Samuel 20:19
19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly,g and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.