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 20:24-29

24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.
25 The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.
26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean.”
27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”
28 Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
29 He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

Before we get to Saul’s response on David’s absence in our next post, I find it interesting that Saul, the king of Israel, the leader of God’s people, would have his seat up against the wall.

If there are any law enforcement readers, I think you will recognize this practice. I have a friend who has two sons, both with careers as police officers. When they go to a restaurant, or any social event, they tend to find seats up against walls. This is typical of those who are concerned with safety, for it provides no opportunity for someone to come from behind.

If this is Saul’s condition as king of Israel, he is showing signs of suspicion, which we should expect from a man who is losing all confidence in his reign. He is taking precautions even in his choice of seating!

God has told him his days are numbered, and each day is a day of watching, worrying and waiting. It is as if his efforts to remain safe are not supplying the intended effects.

How sad for those who know their time is limited, even for those who seek to deny it!

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