Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageThe king took his usual seat against the wall. Jonathan took his place, and Abner sat at Saul's side—but David's seat was empty.
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GThe king sat in his customary seat, by the wall. Yonatan rose to his place, and Avner sat beside Sha'ul—but David's place was empty.
KJV
King James VersionAnd the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleHe sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.
Footnotes
The seating arrangement is charged with meaning: the king sits with his back to the wall (a position of security and command), his military chief Abner at his flank. The empty seat of David—described using the root *yippāqēd*, the same word used in a military muster for an absent soldier—speaks louder than any speech. The narrator has used this root three times across this episode (vv. 18, 25, 27) for David being 'missed/noted absent,' building quiet irony: the man Israel most needs is precisely the one the king seeks to destroy.