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 20:12-18

12 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?
13 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.
14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die;
15 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.”
16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.”
17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

On the eve of informing King Saul of David’s absence, Jonathon and David continue to work out their plan to safeguard David’s life. In an earlier post, we spoke of Jonathon’s plan, of informing Saul of David’s absence during the new moon festival and based on Saul’s reaction, informing David if he is safe or in danger of his life.

We will address how Jonathon will inform David of his situation in our next post, but for this part of the story, there are some other items worth considering.

May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father.

As Jonathon is developing the plan and speaking of the possible outcomes, he hopes and prays that the Lord is with David as He is with his father, King Saul. Obviously Jonathon is speaking of Saul’s past experience of walking with the Lord. and experiencing the blessing of God. Or might he be hanging on to a delusion, thinking the Lord is still working in Saul’s life for Saul’s benefit.

It is obvious that Saul is experiencing two different conditions, one of a harmful spirit from the Lord, where his actions are manipulative, angry, sullen and murderous. Surely Jonathon is not referencing this experience.

Saul has also experienced the Spirit of God, but in a restrictive sense, where the Lord does not allow Saul to fulfil his desire to harm David.

Both are not situations that are enviable, and that makes me think that Jonathon is hearkening back to the early days of Saul’s kingdom, when Samuel was with him, and Saul was experiencing peace with God.

There is one more option. Might it be that Jonathon was a bit self deluded, and couldn’t come to grips with the actual status of his father before God. This is very likely in my estimation, for I know I want to think the best of those I care for, that things are better than they might be.

the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth

Jonathon continues with a declaration, a statement that David’s enemies will be vanquished. Every one of David’s enemies will be defeated, cut off from the face of the earth.

This is a bold statement, for the result of the test tomorrow may reveal Saul as belonging to this group who will be defeated. Nevertheless, Jonathon speaks the truth, even though it may cost him family and friends, believing that David was destined for the throne.

May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies

Jonathon now enters into a request to the Lord, asking the Lord to take vengeance on David’s enemies. The earlier statement could be considered a simple truth statement, whereas in this clause, Jonathon enters into the will of God, denying his own will, that is the safety of his own family.

With these three clauses considered, let us not leave this passage forgetting that Jonathon is seeking to continue the covenant with David, and not only with him personally, but with his progeny. Verse 14 & 15 speaks of Jonathon’s request to continue in the covenant with the future king, and that his children would not be impacted negatively by the new sovereign of Israel.

1 Samuel 12: 14-25 …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

Not only that his progeny not be affected negatively, but that they would experience the steadfast love of God on his house forever!

Jonathon had some hutzpah, and he sought the best for his future family. But I am sure he carried the burden of his current families decisions with a heavy heart!

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