I can’t imagine how it would feel to give your all to serve God and the King, only to find out the King wants you dead. That was David’s situation when he spoke to Saul’s son Jonathan and asked what he had done wrong.
Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” (1 Samuel 20:1).
Like any son who wants to see the best in his father, Jonathan couldn’t admit that David was right.
And he said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so” (1 Samuel 20:2).
David and Jonathan were not related by blood, but their bond was incredibly strong, possibly stronger than that of brothers. David had to persuade Jonathan that his life was at risk. He swore before God and their friendship that Jonathan’s father posed a real threat to him.
But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3).
Convincing Proof
David was pretty sure Saul wanted to kill him. After all, Saul had thrown a spear at him and tried to have him killed in his own bed. Jonathan wasn’t convinced his father meant harm to his good friend. So, they came up with a test to determine Saul’s intentions toward David.
David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening.
If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.’
If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him.
Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?”
And Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you?” (1 Samuel 20:5-9).
David had a place at the king’s table, but the test was to tell Saul he was with his family in Bethlehem instead. This was likely quite insulting. However, if the king treated him kindly, David would know things were fine and he could continue his relationship with Saul.
God – the Witness
The two men made a serious promise to treat each other fairly.
And Jonathan said to David, “The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you?
But should it please my father to do you harm, the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the Lord be with you, as he has been with my father.
If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth” (1 Samuel 20:12-15).
The oath these men made had two parts. First, they did it before God, asking Him to witness their agreement.
Second, they used the language of covenants – steadfast love. The Hebrew word for steadfast love refers to covenant keeping ability between two parties.
Jonathan knew that David would become king one day. As part of their agreement, he asked David to treat his family fairly when that time came.
Friendship in the Midst of Grave Danger
Jonathan tried to show his father Saul the advantages of having David in the kingdom. However, Saul was so determined to kill David that he even threatened Jonathan’s life.
Jonathan and David had a prearranged signal, which Jonathan used to warn David about the danger. They met alone in a field, sharing a heartfelt conversation as close friends would.
And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most.
Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city (1 Samuel 41-42).
Reflections
I’m not an expert in ancient literature, but I believe the honesty and transparency of both the Old and New Testament are unmatched among ancient writings. We get to see both the good and bad sides of prominent figures.
This lesson shows King Saul at his worst. A few pages later, we find King David at his lowest point. Both had moments when God used them.
Sadly, Saul turned away from God’s will and met a tragic end. Thankfully, David repented and went on to become one of God’s great servants.
Our lives are similar to the two kings to some degree. We aren’t kings, but we have our strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes, we do things that show God’s work in us, and other times, we resist God and do the opposite.
The important lesson is to learn from David and the gospel of our Lord: turn to God with repentance and obedience to His will.
YouTube Discussion
I have been on vacation. Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby and I weren’t able to meet for a couple of days. I will be producing videos solo for a couple of days.
Real Voices 