1 Samuel 20
Butler20 1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? 2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father doeth nothing either great or small, but that he discloseth it unto me: and why should my father hide this thing from 3 me? it is not so. And David swore moreover, and said, Thy father knoweth well that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. 4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
Verses 5-11. David’s plan of accounting for his absence carried out by Jonathan, verses 27-29.
12. And Jonathan said unto David, The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness; when I have sounded my father about this time to-morrow, or the third day, behold, if there be good toward 13 David, shall I not then send unto thee, and disclose it unto thee? The LORD do so to Jonathan, and more also, should it please my father to do thee evil, if I disclose it not unto thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been 14 with my father. And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, 15 that I die not: but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever: no, not 16 when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And the LORD shall require it at 17 the hand of David’s enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
Verses 18-23. Jonathan’s device about the arrows carried out in verses 35-40.
24. So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him 25 down to eat meat. And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side: but David’s place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, 27 he is not clean; surely he is not clean. And it came to pass on the morrow after the new moon, which was the second day, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan 28 his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to-day? And 29 Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem: and he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there; and now, if I have found favor in thine eyes, let me get away, I 30 pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he is not come unto the king’s table. Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of a perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame, and 31 unto the shame of thy mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be stablished, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him 32 unto me, for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, 33 Wherefore should he be put to death? what hath he done? And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him : whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to put David to death. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month : for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
35. And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. And he said unto his lad, Run, find now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee? And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. But the lad knew not anything : only Jonathan and David knew the matter. And Jonathan gave his weapons unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times : and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD shall be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed, forever. And he arose and departed : and Jonathan went into the city.
There is an essential difference between the inspired and the uninspired narratives. In the one the inward state of the heart is disclosed, and upon that the course and issue of each particular history is made to turn ; while in the human narrative only the outward act is shown, and upon it mainly is the particular character estimated. In this inspired story God opens to our view the heart of each of these men, Saul, David, and Jonathan ; and He reveals to us herein the presence of His Spirit as bringing about and producing all good, and His absence as permitting the evil spirit in man and in Satan to bring about all evil. And so we learn that everything noble, beautiful, and Christ-like in the spirit and conduct of Jonathan is the effect of the working of the Holy Spirit in his heart, no less than in David’s ; and further still, that the matchless character and fruit of his friendship is here portrayed mainly to set the seal of God’s approval upon human friendship based upon mutual consecration to His will and service. These latter considerations underlie the whole history of this incomparable attachment, and lend to it its chief charm and value.
1-34. King and messengers had been arrested by the supernatural might of the Divine Spirit, and irresistibly constrained to abide and prophesy among the assembled prophets, with Samuel at their head. Even this manifest protection of David by God’s own Spirit did not avail to check Saul’s murderous pursuit. He is now past warning! The secret interview of David and Jonathan next occurs, after the former has fled from Naioth. In this prolonged conversation Jonathan’s high faith in God stands forth in contrast with David’s despondency. Jonathan undertakes to ascertain if any change had taken place in Saul’s feeling, and to inform David by a pre-concerted arrangement and sign. Two days after, in the face of Saul’s fierce wrath, and his demand that David shall be surrendered to be slain, Jonathan boldly asks, “Wherefore shall he be slain? What hath he done?” And when Saul now hurls his spear to smite his son, Jonathan, unheeding his own danger, but grieved and angered on account of the wrong purposed against David, goes hastily from the table before the food is touched. B.
1-23. The account of what passed between them—one of the few narratives of this kind given in Scripture—is most pathetic. It shows that, though Jonathan had never spoken of it, he was fully aware of David’s future destiny ; more than that, he had presentiment of the fate of his own house. And yet, in full view of it all, he believingly submitted to the will of God, and still lovingly clave to his friend ! There is a tone of deep faith toward God, and of full trust in David, in what Jonathan said. Far more fully and clearly than his father does he see into the future, alike as regards David and the house of Saul. But there is not a tinge of misunderstanding of David, not a shadow of suspicion, not a trace of jealousy, not a word of murmur or complaint. More touching words, surely, were never uttered than this charge which Jonathan laid on David as his part of their covenant, in view of what was to come upon them both : “And not only if I am still alive—not only shalt thou do with me the mercy of Jehovah” (show toward me Divine mercy) “that I die not ; but thou shalt not cut off thy mercy from my house—not even” (at the time) “when Jehovah cutteth off the enemies of David, every one from the face of the earth” (verses 14, 15). A. E.
This deep love was based on a common faith. Jonathan like David found his strength in God. Their covenant was a “covenant of Jehovah.”
Jonathan rejoiced in the prospect of David’s advancement without a shadow of jealousy, because he saw it was God’s will. No suspicion of selfishness tainted that noble friendship. The tenderness of the son in some measure effaced the hard treatment of the father: and when they fell together on the fatal field of Mount Gilboa, David could enshrine their memories together in the most touching requiem of the whole Bible. A. F. K.
30,31. Who can ever judge of the children by the parents, that knows Jonathan was the son of Saul? There was never a falser heart than Saul’s; there was never a truer friend than Jonathan. Neither the hope of a kingdom, nor the frowns of a father, nor the fear of death can remove him from his avowed amity. No son could be more officious and dutiful to a good father; yet he lays down nature at the foot of grace, and for the preservation of his innocent rival for the kingdom, crosses the bloody designs of his own parent. Bp. H.
32-34. Even in this trying moment, Jonathan ventured to speak for his friend, urging justly that a man was to be judged by his acts and intentions, and those of David were laudable and pure. “Wherefore,” he asked, “shall he be slain? What hath he done?” The answer was from the javelin of the infuriated king, which this time he cast at his own son. The next morning Jonathan goes to warn David. Kit.
35-40. The arrow shot beyond David, and the lad dismissed. In the same field where they had previously met, at the rock (marking in some way David’s place of concealment) which received its name Ezel (verse 19) at this time—meaning stone of separation—at the hour agreed upon, Jonathan goes forth with his “artillery”—i.e., his bow and arrows, and a lad with him. As had been arranged, he shoots an arrow beyond the boy, to indicate the danger to David from the king’s continued enmity. Then to make sure the intimation, and to show that the peril was imminent, he cries after the lad that the arrow is beyond him, and urges him to haste and tarry not, knowing that David would take the words in warning. On the boy’s return to his master, Jonathan sent him at once back to Gibeah, with his weapons. B.
41,42. The two friends once more met, but for a moment. There was not time for lengthened speech; the danger was urgent. They were not unmanly tears which the two wept, “till David wept loudly.” The parting must be brief—only just sufficient for Jonathan to remind his friend of their covenant of friendship in God, to whose care he now commended him. Then Jonathan retraced his lonely way to the city, while David hastened on his flight southward to Nob. Only once again, and that in sadly altered circumstances, did these two noblest men in Israel meet. A. E.
They referred themselves to the covenant of friendship that was between them, both of them comforting themselves with that in this mournful separation. “We have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, for ourselves and our heirs, that we and they will be faithful and kind to each other from generation to generation.” Thus while we are at home in the body and absent from the Lord, this is our comfort, that he has made with us an everlasting covenant. H.
This is the culminating point in the mutual relations of the two friends who furnish the eternal type of the perfection of noble friendship; and, moreover, in these last hours before their separation, all the threads of their destinies, henceforth so widely different, are secretly woven together. It is also at this point, consequently, that the clearest anticipation of the whole subsequent history already shines through. As Jonathan here foresees, David afterward obtains the kingdom; and, in accordance with his oath to his friend, he afterward spares the descendants of Jonathan, and never loses an opportunity of showing them kindness. Ewald.
Only one other meeting, as brief as this, had the friends afterward. It was in the forest in the wilderness of Ziph (23 : 16), when Jonathan sought David, and strengthened his hand in God, saying, “Fear not, for my father shall not find thee, and thou shalt be King over Israel!” In all this period of Saul’s persecution of David, but little reflection will suffice to magnify the trust and courage of Jonathan far beyond that of his hunted companion and friend. For David had the Divine assurance of safety, of an ultimate accession to the throne, and of a long and prosperous reign. Even Jonathan knew this, and affirmed it again and again for David’s encouragement. But for himself, Jonathan had nothing in the future that could give encouragement or comfort; he had everything to dishearten and break down his spirit. He had absolutely nothing but faith in God to rest upon. In himself, he presents to us a character of marvellous beauty and completeness. If at this time, during this brief interview, David “exceeded” in weeping, Jonathan greatly exceeded in faith and fortitude. He had learned the lesson of resting in God, and was David’s teacher in this passive grace, as he had proved himself David’s equal in aggressive courage and boldness. His heart was tender as woman’s, but he had all the elements of the grandest manhood beside, blending an undaunted daring with an invincible endurance. Now, and afterward to the end, his trial with Saul was far greater than David’s. And how nobly was it endured! Not only did he know and cheerfully accept God’s will, in appointing David to his place as heir to the throne, but he deliberately, from the same high principle, sacrificed the enjoyment of David’s friendship to his own filial devotion and duty. He remained with his unhappy father, and gave to that doomed life all of cheer it had to the sad end. A royal soul indeed was his, loyal to his father, loyal to his friend, and above all loyal to God, until faith and fortitude were forever rewarded with a heavenly crown at his death.
And what shall we say of his friendship for David? How purely unselfish, utterly untainted by envy or jealousy under circumstances so fitted to awaken and intensify these natural human passions! Nay more than this, all his desire and his effort is to advance the interests of his friend upon the overthrow of his own. In all his conduct we see the crowning proof and exhibition of the most pure and perfect friendship that earth has known—a friendship embalmed in the thought and heart, and accepted as the only stainless human example by all true and lofty natures in the universal brotherhood of men. And the immortal beauty and power of friendship so illustrated had its root and basis in a supreme love to Jehovah, faith in his promise, and devotion to his will. This was its secret force and life, and here we read the central truth and teaching of this history. As all right feeling and action toward man flows naturally from right feeling toward God, so genuine friendship finds its best and highest fulfilment when it flows from supreme devotion to God. ‘The Lord be between me and thee’ is the form of its covenant. The Lord be a party to our compact, establish, hallow, beautify, and enrich our fellowship, making it fruitful to our comfort and his glory, and making it eternal! And with this trustful expectation of precious return on earth, it looks for yet larger return hereafter. For it counts all earthly friendship and affection the Divinely appointed agencies for something nobler and more enduring, for infusing the love that passes beyond this life, for forming ties that death can only transfer to a purer sphere where they shall be perfected and established forever.
Even a higher example have we than this of Jonathan—the highest that is only human—in Jesus. He hallowed special friendships by his own intimacy in the home of Bethany, and with the heart of John. But in Himself and all his gifts, his sacrifice, his righteousness, his kingdom, for every soul that will be befriended, Jesus is the Friend ‘closer than a brother,’ bestowing freely fully upon all, riches of grace and crowns of glory. Like Jonathan, yet far exceeding him, this Divine Son and Heir to a Kingdom enrobes his friends with his own spotless purity; pleads for them with his Father, but a loving, seeking Father; and sacrifices himself, a substitute, for their deliverance from a deserved death. Only a few hours before He suffered, he called his disciples ‘friends,’ and said, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ And now that He hath given this perfect proof of friendship and love—now that, with friendly hand and loving heart, he holds forth the priceless gifts of pardon, peace, and a blessed immortality—his single word to us is ‘Come unto me, respond with thy trust to my friendship, with thy devotion to my love!’
To these leading truths may well be added the clear suggestion forcibly impressed concerning the choice of friends. Next to the glad acceptance of Christ’s friendship, this is most important in its bearing upon our character, experience, conduct, and destiny. ‘He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but the companion of fools shall be destroyed.’ No influence is so subtle, so pervasive, so moulds and modifies character, so radically affects our happiness and our acting, so mars or makes true success, so hinders or helps usefulness and high achievement, and so affects ultimate and eternal destiny, as that which flows from our chosen daily companionships. And the one consideration to be regarded, with and above all others, in the selection of a bosom friend in any human relation, is moral principle—or far better, for the greatest security and advantage, Christian principle in the heart, Christian devotion characterizing the plans and controlling the life. If every mind, in the most limited form and force of contact, modifies every other, how mighty, how momentous, the influence of a trusted admired soul upon the trusting loving one—an influence daily penetrating the whole nature with assimilating energy! Then, while holding friendship with Christ in supreme regard, apply the principles of this friendship—devotion to God and to good—as a test to the closest human friendships. And as God’s best boon to you on earth, accept and rejoice in the fellowship of every friend whose spirit is one with yours in single-hearted consecration to Christ. B.
DAVID FLEES, FIRST TO AHIMELECH AT NOB, THEN TO ACHISH, KING OF GATH. UPON DISCOVERY HE GOES TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM, AND GATHERS A BAND OF FOUR HUNDRED MEN.