KJV ORIGINAL
Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
But Saul didn't say anything that day because he thought, 'Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean; surely he must be unclean.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Saul assumed David's absence from the feast was due to ceremonial uncleanness rather than suspecting David was avoiding him on purpose.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the New Moon festival, a monthly celebration where families would gather for a special meal. According to Jewish law, certain situations (like touching a dead body or having bodily discharge) would make someone ceremonially unclean and unable to participate in religious activities or sacred meals until they were purified.
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