The Final Split
1 Samuel 20
Saul’s relationship with David had been an on and off affair. But, at this point, any good will, or pretense of it, is cast aside as Saul considers David to be an enemy he needs to kill.
David Seeks Answers From Jonathan
20:1
David had fled Saul’s house to seek Samuel in his home town of Ramah. Saul tried to kill David there, but he and his men had the Spirit of God come upon them, causing them to fall down and prophesy all day and night, allowing David to escape.
David left Ramah and sought out Jonathan back in Gibeah. He wanted to know why Saul wanted to kill him since Jonathan had told him all was well. (19:7)
Jonathan Remains Loyal To David
20:2-4
Jonathan did not at first believe David’s accusation against Saul. He must have not known of his father’s pursuit of David in Ramah. Saul had sworn to Jonathan that he would not kill David or have him killed, even invoking the name of the Lord in his oath. (19:6)
However, after David explained that Saul knew Jonathan was loyal to David, Jonathan believed David and promised to do anything he could to help him.
David’s Plan
20:5-13
David knew he was expected to be at Saul’s table for a feast of the New Moon. In the Lunar Calendar, the New Moon is the first day of the month. The Lord had commanded that the priests blow the silver trumpets when burn offerings and peace offerings were made on the first of the month. (Numbers 10:10)
The burnt offering was an animal from a person’s herd, a mail without blemish, which was killed, cut up, and burned on the altar. The blood was thrown against the sides of the altar. This sacrifice provided atonement for the person and his family.
The peace offering was similar, but only the fat parts of the animal were burned. The remainder would be eaten by the person making the offering, along with his family. Since the meat would need to be cooked and eaten immediately, a feast would be held and the meat eaten in celebration of the Lord’s blessings.
Since David had been made a member of Saul’s household, he would be expected to attend the feast. Evidently, Saul’s feasts went on for three days. David intended to be absent to ascertain Saul’s intentions toward him.
Jonathan promised to tell David if Saul was well disposed to him or if he intended to kill him.
Jonathan and David Reaffirm and Extend Their Covenant
20:14-23
The two friends extended the terms of their covenant. Jonathan pledged to do what he could to protect David. He asked God to provide that David would ultimately succeed and even take vengeance against his enemies.
In return, David was to continue to love Jonathan and his descendants. In other words, David would not harm Jonathan or his family at any time.
Jonathan expected his father to fail and David to succeed him.
David kept this promise by providing for Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. He gave all of Saul’s former lands to him and kept him at Jerusalem, where he sat at David’s table. (2 Samuel 9)
So, Jonathan devised a plan where he would attend the feast and let David know Saul’s disposition toward him by shooting arrows into a field where David hid and giving instructions to a kid about where the arrows were.
Saul Reacts In Anger
20:24-34
Saul noticed David’s absence and asked Jonathan about it. Jonathan responded with the story David had concocted. Saul got very angry at Jonathan for allowing David to be absent from the feast. He erupted into an angry outburst, calling Jonathan a “son of a perverse, rebellious woman”. (31) He accused Jonathan of choosing David over Saul. He pointed out that Jonathan would not be king unless David was killed.
When Jonathan tried to defend David, Saul threw his spear at Jonathan. (33) That made Jonathan realize that his father was determined to kill David. Then Jonathan got angry and left.
Jonathan Relays The News
20:35-42
Just as he promised, Jonathan went out to let David know the news. Rather than flee immediately, David came out to meet Jonathan. He showed him great respect by bowing three times.
Jonathan told David to go, but that the peace and the covenant between them still existed. Jonathan returned to his town, but David left to become a fugitive. David had done nothing wrong. He was God’s anointed. Yet, God sent him on a difficult road and a long period of waiting before he received what God promised.
Takeaways
The road to doing God’s will can be a difficult one. It is not always smooth and successful, contrary to the teaching of the prosperity gospel.
God provided protection for David by providing Jonathan as a friend.
Jonathan was not only a good friend to David, he was a believer, willing to sacrifice his own benefits for God’s will.
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