Today we continue our study of 1 Samuel. David and Jonathan will devise the plan to protect the life of David from Saul. Therefore, we are looking at the scriptures found in 1 Samuel, Chapter 20.
Last week we left David in Naioth with Samuel. If you missed that lesson, you can review it here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/prophets-in-naioth/. From there he went to visit his close friend, Jonathan. David asked Jonathan; “What have I done? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?”
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Jonathan was appalled. He exclaimed that this should never happen! His first remarks were that David was NOT going to die. Then, he told David his father didn’t do anything without first letting him know. Saul had not mentioned to Jonathan that he was trying to kill David. So, Jonathan was shocked to hear such news.
However, David swore on his oath. He said; “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes. He has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet, as surely as the LORD lives, and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.”
DEVISING THE PLAN
At that point Jonathan believed David. He told David he would do anything to help. David pointed out the next day was the feast of the New Moon. Normally, David would be required to dine with the king, but instead he would go and hide in the field.
David knew Saul would miss his presence at the feast. He told Jonathan when his father mentioned this to say; ‘David earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being made there for his whole clan.’ If he says, ‘Very well,’ then your servant is safe. But, if he loses his temper, you can be sure he is determined to harm me. As for you, show kindness to your servant. For you have brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”
JONATHAN’S LOYALTY
Jonathan vowed he would never do such a thing. He said, “If I had the least inkling that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you?”
The plan was for Jonathan to sound out his father by the end of the next day. Jonathan made a covenant with The House of David. The covenant said, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
MORE DETAILS
Their plan was for David to wait at the stone of Ezel. He would be there on the night of the feast of the New Moon. Do you ever remember a stone of waiting in your own life? This link shares a wonderful sermon which will help you to understand what to do in that place: https://youtu.be/hIU2ZpAOKKY?si=mzqnk8mIuX0Yvv-N. David and Jonathan had their Stone of Ezel, and so do we all.
The plan was for Jonathan to shoot three arrows into the side of this place. It would look as if he were shooting at a target. Then he would send a boy out to fetch his arrows.
If Jonathan said ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,’ then David would know it was safe for him to return. He would not be in any danger from Saul. But, if Jonathan said to the boy, ‘Look the arrows are beyond you,’ David would know to go. It would be clear that there was danger and the LORD was sending him away.
Both men agreed that God had witnessed their plan and the covenant between them.
DAVID IS MISSING FROM THE TABLE
David hid in the field. While at the feast of the New Moon, the King (Saul) sat down in his usual place beside the wall. He was opposite Jonathan. Abner set next to Saul, but David’s place was empty.
Saul supposed something must have happened to David that made him ceremonially unclean. He wasn’t too bothered. That was the first day of the month. On the second day of the month though, David’s place was empty again. Saul said to Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?”
JONATHAN PROTECTS DAVID
Jonathan told Saul David had asked him for permission to go to Bethlehem. It was because his family was observing a sacrifice in the town. He said David’s brother had ordered him to be there.
When Saul heard this, his anger flared at Jonathan. This is what Saul said to Jonathan, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”
Jonathan thought nothing of the threats Saul made about him. Yet, he defended David’s name. He asked Saul, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?”
SAUL ATTEMPTS TO KILL JONATHAN
Saul’s answer was to hurl a spear at Jonathan. This told Jonathan his father truly intended to kill David. Jonathan was extremely angry with Saul. He got up and left the table because he was grieved at Saul’s madness.
Next morning, Jonathan went out to the field where David had been hiding. He took a boy with him. After shooting his bow Jonathan asked the boy to go find the arrows. As the boy ran after them Jonathan called out “Isn’t the arrow beyond you? Hurry! Go quickly! Don’t stop!”
DAVID IS WARNED
The boy knew nothing of what was truly going on. Only Jonathan and David understood the plan and the code between them.
Jonathan gave all of his arrows to the boy. Then, he told him to carry them back to town. When the boy left, David rose from the south side of the stone. He bowed down before Jonathan three times with his face to the ground. They kissed each other and wept together. David wept the most.
Jonathan finally said to David, “Go in peace. We have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD. Both men vowed, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.”
David left.
Jonathan went back to town.
What does this story really mean to those following Jesus today? We will discuss more details next week.