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 20:18-23

18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
19 On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap.
20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark.
21 And behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,’ then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger.
22 But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away.
23 And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”

Jonathon directed David to “go down quickly” to a place, and yet it might be three days before he can get the information he needs to give to David. What is Jonathon trying to do here? Is he beginning to get paranoid of the situation? Possibly, and we will get back to that idea in a moment, but I would like to address this “time” condition Jonathon is laying on David.

To go down quickly might not have the idea of time, i.e., get down to the place immediately, but is an adverb the speaks of extent or amount, even describing effort. Other ways this Hebrew word is translated includes “much”, “greatly”, “very” and “diligently”. As you can see, the idea of quickly isn’t associated elsewhere with this word. May I suggest this term is describing the distance Jonathon is describing David should travel to a hiding place. And this place seems to have been known by both men. A place near the stone Ezel. Nowhere else in the Word is this stone described, but it was a known place between the men, a place where David had hid before, and that was enough.

Now regarding the paranoia Jonathon may have been experiencing, previously when making general plans, Jonathon had implied he would communicate directly with David on the intent of Saul towards David. (See 1 Samuel 20:12-13). With each passing day, it seems Jonathon is taking extra precaution, for he introduces a young servant to be the vehicle of communication to David in the wilderness.

For all appearance, even to those who may be following Jonathon for the King’s sake, Jonathon will be simply performing target practice in the woods, and yelling out to his servant where the arrows have flown. I think Jonathon knows that the time is short, as David does, and that extra precautions are needed.

This discussion between to two men happens to be one of the last times they ever see each other, for in three days, Jonathon has to send his best friend on the run from his father.

David is convinced of his situation, and Jonathon is beginning to see the writing on the wall. With this realization, Jonathon must have have incredible inner tension, turmoil and confusion. His loyalty to David would mean the end of his Father’s reign, and yet his responsibility to honor his father brought him into a turmoil many of us have never experienced.

David would be on the run in the next few days, and Jonathon had three days of anticipating the worst. Little did he know it would be worse than he anticipated!

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