I Samuel 20:1-23
“And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” (I Samuel 20:1)
While Saul was caught up in a religious experience, prophesying, David fled for his life, going to Jonathan for answers as to what Saul was upset about. Saul was like a great many people who have no reason except their own imagination for being angry.
“And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will show it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.” (I Samuel 20:2)
Like many who have grown up in a home where a parent is abusive or unpredictable, Jonathan was aware of his father’s rages, but he didn’t really believe he meant it, something just set him off. He wanted to believe he was actually a loving person. It is often hard to accept that loved ones may just be bad. Abused spouses and children often live in a state of denial for years. They seldom heed warnings from outsiders of the danger the abuser presents.
“And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.” (I Samuel 20:3)
Having not grown up with Saul’s sudden rages, David was far less willing to accept them as a momentary reaction to a bad action, seeing them as part of a pattern. While Jonathan thought his father would always tell him the truth, David realized that Saul had a deeper agenda, and would conceal things in his effort to fulfill it. Despite Jonathan’s assurances, David believed Saul hated him all the time, and was not just suddenly flying off the handle. David believed he was in danger at any time.
“Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.
If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?” (I Samuel 20:4-9)
Though he felt David was overreacting, Jonathan offered to help David however he could. David suggested a strategy that would indicate Saul’s true feelings. David would avoid a big family gathering he was expected to attend. If asked where he was, Jonathan was to say David had asked permission to go to his own family’s feast.
If Saul blew it off, then David would assume that he really was just flying into rages without a cause. If he became angry at David’s absence, on the other hand, it would indicate a deeper underlying anger. Because they were friends, David offered to let Jonathan execute him if he thought Saul had a legitimate complaint.
Jonathan assured David that he would have told him of any legitimate complaints, and that he would tell him if he believed his father wanted to kill him.
“Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee; The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” (I Samuel 20:10-17)
David was concerned how he would find out what Saul’s response was. Jonathan took him out for a walk in the field where they would not be overheard and prayed in David’s hearing, vowing that he would warn David as to Saul’s intent and help him escape if it was necessary.
In return, Jonathan asked that their friendship remain intact regardless of what happened, even after his death. He prayed that David be blessed in any case, because of his.friendship,
“Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.
But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.” (I Samuel 20:18-23)
Jonathan suggested a way of letting David know Saul’s intent without endangering each other. He would come out for archery practice, and deliberately miss the target. David was to hide himself nearby, and listen to Jonathan’s directing the boy responsible for bringing his arrows back. If Jonathan insisted the boy had gone too far and passed the lost arrow, it would indicate things were okay and David could safely come back. If he insisted the boy hadn’t gone far enough, It would indicate Saul intended to kill David and that he should escape as soon as possible.
“And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” (I Samuel 20:1)
While Saul was caught up in a religious experience, prophesying, David fled for his life, going to Jonathan for answers as to what Saul was upset about. Saul was like a great many people who have no reason except their own imagination for being angry.
“And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will show it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.” (I Samuel 20:2)
Like many who have grown up in a home where a parent is abusive or unpredictable, Jonathan was aware of his father’s rages, but he didn’t really believe he meant it, something just set him off. He wanted to believe he was actually a loving person. It is often hard to accept that loved ones may just be bad. Abused spouses and children often live in a state of denial for years. They seldom heed warnings from outsiders of the danger the abuser presents.
“And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.” (I Samuel 20:3)
Having not grown up with Saul’s sudden rages, David was far less willing to accept them as a momentary reaction to a bad action, seeing them as part of a pattern. While Jonathan thought his father would always tell him the truth, David realized that Saul had a deeper agenda, and would conceal things in his effort to fulfill it. Despite Jonathan’s assurances, David believed Saul hated him all the time, and was not just suddenly flying off the handle. David believed he was in danger at any time.
“Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.
If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?” (I Samuel 20:4-9)
Though he felt David was overreacting, Jonathan offered to help David however he could. David suggested a strategy that would indicate Saul’s true feelings. David would avoid a big family gathering he was expected to attend. If asked where he was, Jonathan was to say David had asked permission to go to his own family’s feast.
If Saul blew it off, then David would assume that he really was just flying into rages without a cause. If he became angry at David’s absence, on the other hand, it would indicate a deeper underlying anger. Because they were friends, David offered to let Jonathan execute him if he thought Saul had a legitimate complaint.
Jonathan assured David that he would have told him of any legitimate complaints, and that he would tell him if he believed his father wanted to kill him.
“Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee; The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” (I Samuel 20:10-17)
David was concerned how he would find out what Saul’s response was. Jonathan took him out for a walk in the field where they would not be overheard and prayed in David’s hearing, vowing that he would warn David as to Saul’s intent and help him escape if it was necessary.
In return, Jonathan asked that their friendship remain intact regardless of what happened, even after his death. He prayed that David be blessed in any case, because of his.friendship,
“Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.
But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.” (I Samuel 20:18-23)
Jonathan suggested a way of letting David know Saul’s intent without endangering each other. He would come out for archery practice, and deliberately miss the target. David was to hide himself nearby, and listen to Jonathan’s directing the boy responsible for bringing his arrows back. If Jonathan insisted the boy had gone too far and passed the lost arrow, it would indicate things were okay and David could safely come back. If he insisted the boy hadn’t gone far enough, It would indicate Saul intended to kill David and that he should escape as soon as possible.
I admire the friendship these two share; I wonder how many people find such a friendship as this, even among the saints?
ReplyDeleteThey're still pretty rare. Their friendship and love was based on a similar attitude and faith that set them apart from others.
Delete