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 20:35-42

35 In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy.
36 And he said to his boy, “Run and find the arrows that I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37 And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?”
38 And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” So Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master.
39 But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
40 And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.”
41 And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most.
42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

Communication.

This communication of a message through the use of a code that Jonathon developed and deployed, with the help of a nameless young boy, appears to be for the benefit of David.

Yet David was convinced that he was on the edge of the grave. Remember early in this chapter, beginning with David expressing his conviction to Jonathon that Saul was going to murder him.

1 Samuel 20:3 But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”.

David didn’t need this message. The young boy didn’t know what the message truly was. The only one this message truly was intended to benefit was Jonathon himself. But Jonathon knew the content of the message before coming to the field, for he came close to dying in order to find out the direction Saul was going with David.

1 Samuel 20:33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.

Ok – David knew, Saul knew, and the little boy didn’t need to know. Jonathon finally knew, for he came to believe the worst of his father and the danger for David. This covert meeting in a field was not necessarily for the sake of David as it turns out, but for Jonathon. He was the one who was convinced of his fathers intent, and realized the danger not only David was in but also himself.

Yes, he conjured up a clandestine meeting with this arrow code, with David hiding for days in the field, and with this hapless boy running after some arrows. The danger was real, and in this realization, it is the more impressive for Jonathon to send the boy home, and pursue a time with David.

This is the last time David and Jonathon see each other. With the young boy returning to the city, David comes out from hiding and the future king of Israel bows before the crown prince of Israel. He bows three times, weeping. At no time does David speak in this story, for he simply weeps and shows his deep care for Jonathon. He is patient with Jonathon in completing this exercise of communication, for the sake of his friend. He could have been travelling away from his enemy for the times he spent waiting on Jonathon, but he remained behind for Jonathon’s sake. He remained out of love for his friend.

Jonathon finally knew the danger. David knew of the danger previously.

39 But the boy knew nothing.

In all this communication, the young lad had no ears to hear! Oh, he had ears to hear the words, but he didn’t have ears to hear the message. He wasn’t able to understand the message Jonathon shouted through the use of words.

Jonathon’s message reached it’s intended target. David had ears to hear, for he knew the one speaking, he had spent time with the one speaking, and he had relationship with the one speaking.

Centuries later, Another came to speak messages using words (and miracles), and yet many did not have ears to hear. The young lad during Jonathon’s time didn’t understand the message, and he held no malice in his heart towards any. Not so with those hearing Jesus words. Much malice was brewing in the hearts of those who heard the words but not the message!

David came out from amongst the rocks to escape the danger of a murderous government. Jesus entered the danger of a murderous mob, accepted the death sentence of a murderous government, and came out from the rocks, His grave, victorious.

Jonathon never saw David again. We will see our David again, for He has not, nor will He abandon us. He came out from the rocks in order to save us from the danger we are in the middle of.

Decades after His earthly time of teaching, He asked His church if they had ears to hear.

What is the message His words communicate to you today?

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