Jonathan Warns David

As many who have followed me for a bit, I have fallen into the Psalms, and I can’t get up! (As if I would want to.) The Psalms are a majestic collection of poetry, of heart felt human experiences that constantly challenge me in my own frail attempt to follow the true King. As many of the Psalms are written by David, my study on the Psalms has spurred me on to looking at the life of David, is the main contributor to this book, and to follow the victories and tragedies of the shepherd King of Israel.

Many times in the narrative, we will see the Lord Jesus, imperfectly, yet a reflection of His spirit in a man with weaknesses.

1 Samuel 20:5-11

5 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.
6 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.’
7 If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him.
8 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?”
9 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?”
10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?”
11 And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So they both went out into the field.

In our previous post David needed to test Jonathon’s friendship, even calling in the threat of his own life from the hand of Jonathon’s father. David needed Jonathon to realize the seriousness of the situation, and that Jonathon needed to understand that Saul may not be providing all the facts to Jonathon based on his friendship with David.

So a test was proposed. A situation that would expose Saul’s intentions, and provide guidance for David’s next decisions. It is good to note that though David may have been experiencing great fear for his life, he was willing to give Saul an opportunity, although unknowingly, of his attitude toward him.

It seems David was the one who kept hoping against hope!

Jonathon was prepared and ready to execute the test on his father, but the results would be useless if David doesn’t get the message. David needs to know how Saul reacted to this “anomaly” of being away from the royal circle. Of course, being with family gave opportunity for Saul to excuse him if there was no underlying motive. If the answer was positive, no stealth would be needed to inform David. All would be well. If the answer is negative, which it appears David is assuming, the information had to be transferred in a clandestine manner. Jonathon needed to keep his allegiance to David under wraps to be effective for his friend, and this included the use of an open environment. A field that would cause no suspicion if Jonathon was practicing his archery, which may be a required practice for those in the army. Perfect.

Jonathon would stay in the royal circle, available for David as needed. He would continue to maintain the covenant friendship they had entered into, living within a family that was purposed to kill his best friend. Definitely a house divided, and surely a difficult time for Jonathon, walking as it were on eggshells around the royal family.

What friends will do for each other!

Luke 12

52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Even to the unenviable loss of physical family ties!

It seems this is a common refrain within the believers life, that certain family members are lost to the believer for a time. Prayer and caring for them is the only solution, along with exercising patience and humility.

They may say cruel and hurtful things, but be strong my friend, for our David is worth the pain, and He has been known to answer our prayers in relation to those we naturally care for!

God is good and He is good all the time!

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