1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel 31:1

How Jonathan Will Inform David

Jonathan resolutely rejects David’s thought of killing him, for he supposes no evil in David. Furthermore, he will certainly assert his friendship and inform him if he notices his father wants to bring evil upon him. David asks from whom he will hear the true mindset of Saul.

Jonathan does not answer directly but suggests to go out into the field to continue talking. He takes the initiative and David follows. David presents himself royally by being subject to the ruling authority. He does not stand on his rights as the anointed king. He knows what he will become, but does not yet claim what the LORD has not yet given him. He must first learn to obey as a servant before he can rule as king.

Jonathan solemnly promises by the LORD that he will certainly let David know how his father reacts. He will also make sure that nothing will happen to David. He knows that David is the anointed. He wishes the LORD may be with him, as He has been with his father. He submits to the future king after he has let him go as crown prince.

Finally, he asks David for his favor for himself and his family. Here he has a prophetic view of the future. For himself he asks to stay alive when David has become king. He will acknowledge in it the mercy of the LORD. For his house he asks for the mercy of David. As for David, Jonathan knows that the LORD will cut off all his enemies.

1 Samuel 31:2

How Jonathan Will Inform David

Jonathan resolutely rejects David’s thought of killing him, for he supposes no evil in David. Furthermore, he will certainly assert his friendship and inform him if he notices his father wants to bring evil upon him. David asks from whom he will hear the true mindset of Saul.

Jonathan does not answer directly but suggests to go out into the field to continue talking. He takes the initiative and David follows. David presents himself royally by being subject to the ruling authority. He does not stand on his rights as the anointed king. He knows what he will become, but does not yet claim what the LORD has not yet given him. He must first learn to obey as a servant before he can rule as king.

Jonathan solemnly promises by the LORD that he will certainly let David know how his father reacts. He will also make sure that nothing will happen to David. He knows that David is the anointed. He wishes the LORD may be with him, as He has been with his father. He submits to the future king after he has let him go as crown prince.

Finally, he asks David for his favor for himself and his family. Here he has a prophetic view of the future. For himself he asks to stay alive when David has become king. He will acknowledge in it the mercy of the LORD. For his house he asks for the mercy of David. As for David, Jonathan knows that the LORD will cut off all his enemies.

1 Samuel 31:3

How Jonathan Will Inform David

Jonathan resolutely rejects David’s thought of killing him, for he supposes no evil in David. Furthermore, he will certainly assert his friendship and inform him if he notices his father wants to bring evil upon him. David asks from whom he will hear the true mindset of Saul.

Jonathan does not answer directly but suggests to go out into the field to continue talking. He takes the initiative and David follows. David presents himself royally by being subject to the ruling authority. He does not stand on his rights as the anointed king. He knows what he will become, but does not yet claim what the LORD has not yet given him. He must first learn to obey as a servant before he can rule as king.

Jonathan solemnly promises by the LORD that he will certainly let David know how his father reacts. He will also make sure that nothing will happen to David. He knows that David is the anointed. He wishes the LORD may be with him, as He has been with his father. He submits to the future king after he has let him go as crown prince.

Finally, he asks David for his favor for himself and his family. Here he has a prophetic view of the future. For himself he asks to stay alive when David has become king. He will acknowledge in it the mercy of the LORD. For his house he asks for the mercy of David. As for David, Jonathan knows that the LORD will cut off all his enemies.

1 Samuel 31:4

The Covenant

Their love is emphasized again. Jonathan not only makes a covenant with David, but also with the house of David. He expects the offspring of David to have the same mercy as David himself. David also acts accordingly later (2 Samuel 9:3; 6-7). David’s enemies, who might also hurt his children, he entrusts to the LORD’s dealings.

The reason Jonathan desires their friendship to pass on to his descendants is because of his love for David. He loves David as he loves his own life, and he desires David to answer that love with an oath he loves Jonathan.

1 Samuel 31:5

The Covenant

Their love is emphasized again. Jonathan not only makes a covenant with David, but also with the house of David. He expects the offspring of David to have the same mercy as David himself. David also acts accordingly later (2 Samuel 9:3; 6-7). David’s enemies, who might also hurt his children, he entrusts to the LORD’s dealings.

The reason Jonathan desires their friendship to pass on to his descendants is because of his love for David. He loves David as he loves his own life, and he desires David to answer that love with an oath he loves Jonathan.

1 Samuel 31:6

The Sign With a Message

After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.

It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.

From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.

1 Samuel 31:7

The Sign With a Message

After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.

It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.

From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.

1 Samuel 31:8

The Sign With a Message

After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.

It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.

From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.

1 Samuel 31:9

The Sign With a Message

After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.

It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.

From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.

1 Samuel 31:10

The Sign With a Message

After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.

It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.

From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.

1 Samuel 31:11

The Sign With a Message

After the confirmation of their love for each other the friends continue to talk about the actual situation to get to know the will of the LORD for David. Should he return to Saul or become a fugitive? Clarity will be obtained by David’s absence on a new moon day. As commander of Saul’s army, David must certainly be present on that day. When he is away for three days, Saul will certainly reveal what he thinks.

It is agreed that Jonathan will announce the results after three days. This will be done by shooting arrows in the direction of where David is hiding. Possibly they make this appointment because it is not certain that Jonathan will be able to say it personally to David. By the sign of the arrows shot off Jonathan will make clear to David what Saul’s feelings about him are.

From this sign the will of the LORD is derived. Jonathan speaks only of the fact that the LORD sends David away. It seems as if he does not consider the possibility that the LORD will govern it in such a way that David can return to the court of Saul. He points to the LORD as the One Who unites him and David. No Saul can separate them.

1 Samuel 31:12

Saul Tries to Kill Jonathan

David hides in the field, waiting for the message Jonathan will bring. When it is the new moon, Saul sits down at his usual place, near the wall. This is a tactical place because it is not possible to attack him in the back. Maybe it says something of his mistrust in those who surround him. Someone who is jealous does not trust anyone.

The taking of the places is described vividly. When Saul sits down, Jonathan stands up out of respect. Abner, the army superior of Saul, sits next to Saul. Saul only pays attention to the place of David which remains empty. We hear what he thinks. It typifies Saul. He can only think in terms of clean and unclean. He is like the Pharisee who only pays attention to the appearance.

At the same time, it also says something about David. Saul knows him as one who scrupulously observes the law and would rather stay away from a holy feast than to participate in it in uncleanness. With Christians we often see the opposite. On the one hand they easily stay away from their own meetings (Hebrews 10:25) and on the other hand they lightly partake of the holy Supper of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).

On the second day Saul wants to know why David did not come and asks. He asks his question not in general, but purposefully to David’s friend, his son Jonathan. He is convinced that Jonathan knows where David is. When Jonathan gives the agreed statement, Saul anger burns against Jonathan. He pours all his wrath upon him. By this Jonathan experiences what it means to be a friend of David. It is not possible to stand on David’s side without getting Saul’s anger upon oneself. This is also the case for the Christian who clearly chooses for Christ.

Saul points out to Jonathan that he plays with his own position. He will never be king as long as David lives. Then he orders Jonathan to get David to kill him. Jonathan speaks up for David again and asks his father what the reason is for killing David. Then comes the clear proof of his father’s hatred of David. Saul hurls his spear at his own son to kill him.

Here Jonathan shares in the fate of David, who is so much hated by Saul that he wants to kill him. The spear that has been hurled several times at David is now thrown at his friend, even if it is his own son. In the same way, a choice for the Lord Jesus brings division into families. Family members hand over a family member to enemies (Luke 21:16-17).

1 Samuel 31:13

Saul Tries to Kill Jonathan

David hides in the field, waiting for the message Jonathan will bring. When it is the new moon, Saul sits down at his usual place, near the wall. This is a tactical place because it is not possible to attack him in the back. Maybe it says something of his mistrust in those who surround him. Someone who is jealous does not trust anyone.

The taking of the places is described vividly. When Saul sits down, Jonathan stands up out of respect. Abner, the army superior of Saul, sits next to Saul. Saul only pays attention to the place of David which remains empty. We hear what he thinks. It typifies Saul. He can only think in terms of clean and unclean. He is like the Pharisee who only pays attention to the appearance.

At the same time, it also says something about David. Saul knows him as one who scrupulously observes the law and would rather stay away from a holy feast than to participate in it in uncleanness. With Christians we often see the opposite. On the one hand they easily stay away from their own meetings (Hebrews 10:25) and on the other hand they lightly partake of the holy Supper of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).

On the second day Saul wants to know why David did not come and asks. He asks his question not in general, but purposefully to David’s friend, his son Jonathan. He is convinced that Jonathan knows where David is. When Jonathan gives the agreed statement, Saul anger burns against Jonathan. He pours all his wrath upon him. By this Jonathan experiences what it means to be a friend of David. It is not possible to stand on David’s side without getting Saul’s anger upon oneself. This is also the case for the Christian who clearly chooses for Christ.

Saul points out to Jonathan that he plays with his own position. He will never be king as long as David lives. Then he orders Jonathan to get David to kill him. Jonathan speaks up for David again and asks his father what the reason is for killing David. Then comes the clear proof of his father’s hatred of David. Saul hurls his spear at his own son to kill him.

Here Jonathan shares in the fate of David, who is so much hated by Saul that he wants to kill him. The spear that has been hurled several times at David is now thrown at his friend, even if it is his own son. In the same way, a choice for the Lord Jesus brings division into families. Family members hand over a family member to enemies (Luke 21:16-17).