David. Jonathan: A Friend in Need 1 Samuel 17 23; 2 Samuel 1

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1 David A M A N A F T E R G O D S O W N H E A R T Jonathan: A Friend in Need 1 Samuel 17 23; 2 Samuel 1 riendship is one of the most precious words in the English language. F Robert Louis Stevenson said, A friend is a present... you give yourself. 1 Mary Mitford wrote, I thank God far more for friends than for my daily bread for friendship is the bread of the heart. Cicero maintained that taking away friendship is like robbing the world of the sun. The practical Book of Proverbs has much to say about friendship: A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Do not forsake your own friend (Proverbs 27:10). When I say the word friendship, of whom do you think? Perhaps you think of someone you have known a long time, with whom you have remained close. Perhaps the one who comes to mind is someone whose kindness and concern provided a turning point in your life. Perhaps you think of a member of your family who has become much more than a blood relative. When I hear the word friend, I think first of my wife, Jo my very best friend on earth. 2 Then I think of my parents, my brother, and others in my family. Then I think of all the friends we have made around the world. To me, one of the joys of heaven will be to have all our friends together in one place at one time, surrounded by the love of the greatest Friend of all. Unfortunately, when I say the word friendship, some will think of no one at all. 3 If that is the case with you, my heart bleeds for you. I hope this lesson helps everyone who studies it; I especially hope that if you feel friendless, something will be said to help you. Let me change the question. When I say the words friendship and the Bible, of whom do you think? Perhaps you thought of Jonathan and David. When our children s classes study about friendship, invariably the Bible story chosen to illustrate the concept is the friendship between the son of the King Saul and the shepherd boy from Bethlehem. In this lesson and the next, we will see David as he became an instant celebrity, and just as quickly became a hunted fugitive. What we will be looking for in this study, however, is a golden thread that runs through the text: the story of Jonathan s love for David. We will learn about the nature of true friendship. THE COMMITMENT OF FRIENDSHIP (1 SAMUEL 17:55 18:3) The background for today s lesson is found in the last four verses of 1 Samuel 17, as we recall David s victory over Goliath. As David left Saul to confront the giant, the king asked the commander of his forces, Abner, whose son is this young man? (17:55). After David s victory, Abner brought the young shepherd before Saul. As David stood there with Goliath s head in his 1

2 hand, the king asked him, Whose son are you, young man? (17:58a). 4 David replied, I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite (17:58b). Notice that Saul did not ask who David was, but who his father was. 5 Saul probably wanted this information so he could get permission from David s father to take David into his own household. And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father s house (18:2). 6 While Saul was extending the invitation for David to live in the palace, there was a young man standing by the king s side, listening. His name was Jonathan. 7 He was Saul s oldest son and heir to the throne. He was the king s righthand man, a brave military leader who had proved himself in many battles with the hostile tribes on each side of Israel. 8 He had found a special place in the heart of the Israelites. 9 As Jonathan watched David face the giant, and then face his father on the hill overlooking the valley, something happened a rare and beautiful thing. Now it came about when [David] had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself (18:1). The Hebrew word translated knit literally means to be knotted to. Immediately, an interweaving of their lives occurred, but more than that, a bond was established. The NIV has Jonathan became one in spirit with David. Thus was born one of the most beautiful friendships the world has known. It was an unlikely relationship. First, there was at least a twenty-year difference in their ages. Jonathan was already a seasoned warrior when David was born. Second, there was the difference in their social status. Jonathan was next in line for the throne, while David was the son of a poor farmer from Bethlehem. Such superficial details do not matter, however, when one meets a kindred spirit. In today s society, we create too many generation gaps and social gaps. If we look for friends only among those our own age and those like ourselves, how many marvelous friendships we may miss! Notice the commitment Jonathan and David made to each other: Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself (18:3). A covenant is an agreement 10 between two parties. This covenant was initiated by Jonathan, partly because it was he who first felt the kinship with David, and partly because it would have been inappropriate for David, as a subordinate, to have suggested it. 11 The nature of the word, however, indicates the friendship was not one-sided; David also loved Jonathan. 12 Of what did the covenant consist? Some have suggested it involved an elaborate ceremony with the exchanging of possessions, a feast, and the mingling of blood. (Perhaps some of you participated in the childish ceremony of pricking the thumbs and pressing them together, to make you and your friend blood brothers. ) More likely, however, it was the exchanging of vows 13 (invoking the name of the Lord 14 ) always to be friends. Whatever form it took, the covenant involved commitment. True friendship always involves commitment, whether spoken or unspoken to be friends through thick and thin. Furthermore, in true friendship, that commitment is constantly renewed. As we continue through the story of David and Jonathan, we will see the frequent reinforcement of their covenant with each other: So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, May the Lord require it at the hands of David s enemies. And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life (1 Samuel 20:16, 17). And Jonathan, Saul s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.... So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord;... (1 Samuel 23:16, 18). Samuel Johnson said, A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. Never take a friendship for granted. Friendships must be revitalized from time to time. This is true whether we are talking about two business companions, two fishing buddies, or a husband and his wife. A few years ago, a television commercial urged every husband to buy his wife expensive diamond jewelry to let her know you d marry her all over again. The diamond trinket is not essential, but the reaffirmation of your love is. THE UNSELFISHNESS OF FRIENDSHIP (1 SAMUEL 18:4) After Jonathan made the covenant with David, Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his 2

3 armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt (18:4). This ritual was unprecedented. Both the robe and the armor were part of Jonathan s royal wardrobe. The weapons also had special significance. The sword was one of a handful in the Israelite army. 15 The bow was Jonathan s trademark. 16 If this ceremony was a public one (as seems to have been the case), no doubt Saul and the others present were astonished and perplexed. Why did Jonathan give David these things? Perhaps several motivations were involved. Jonathan probably recognized that David needed clothing and weapons. Since David was not allowed to return to his father s house (1 Samuel 18:2), he had only the clothes on his back. 17 Again, it is possible that this ceremony was part of the sealing of the covenant made between Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18:3). 18 I think, however, there was a deeper significance to the gifts. Let us return to the battle with Goliath. We noted earlier that Saul was the logical person to fight Goliath, but he did not because he was afraid. Who was the next most logical choice? Who had distinguished himself in battle and was known for his bravery and daring? Jonathan. Why didn t Jonathan face the giant? Was he paralyzed by fear, as his father and the rest were? This seems inconsistent with Jonathan s nature. It has been suggested, 19 rather, that Jonathan had lost respect for his father; that he had no hope of replacing his father on the throne; that he had in fact lost hope in the future of the Israelite nation; that he was therefore not paralyzed by fear, but by despair. When, however, David stepped out into the valley to meet the Philistine, hope revived in Jonathan s heart. As he got to know David better, hope became certainty. Here was one worthy of the throne, one who could assure Israel s future! If this analysis is at all correct, there was a symbolic significance to Jonathan s gifts. Jonathan was, in effect, saying to David, I relinquish my right to the throne and pledge my support to your cause! Certainly, this interpretation of the ritual is consistent with subsequent events in the relationship between Jonathan and David. 20 It is hard for us to appreciate what this would have cost Jonathan. The unselfishness exhibited in this act is seldom duplicated in the Scriptures or in life. Unselfishness is a natural part of friendship. There cannot be true friendship without giving. Later Jonathan said to David, Whatever you say, I will do for you (1 Samuel 20:4; emphasis mine). Real friends are like that and real friends do not keep score as to who has done the most for the other. The Lord has blessed (and humbled) Jo and me with hundreds of friends like that. Almost everything in our home is directly or indirectly a gift from a friend and has a story behind it. We can go through our house, looking at pictures, paintings, and other beautiful things; touching pieces of furniture; remembering precious friendships. THE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP (1 SAMUEL 18:5 19:7) Sooner or later, every friendship will be tested. The friendships that mean the most are those that have weathered the storms. It was not long until the friendship of Jonathan and David was tested severely. When David was first received into Saul s household, he was the darling of the court. In a matter of days, David went from being an unknown in a back pasture to one of the best known men in all the land. 21 His popularity with the king, however, was a fleeting thing. One day as Saul and his army returned from a military triumph, the women sang, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands (18:7). Instantly, the love in Saul s heart 22 dried up and was replaced by a pathological jealousy. Saul s jealousy soon festered into a murderous spirit. He concocted a series of plots to have David killed, but his plots kept backfiring. Instead of destroying David, each ploy resulted in David s becoming better known and more respected. 23 Finally, Saul decided the time for subtlety had passed. He gathered his top men around him including his son, Jonathan and ordered them to put David to death (19:1). Can you imagine the surprise and consternation on every face? David was a national hero! For a moment, put yourself in Jonathan s place as you are torn between loyalty for your father and love for your friend. It was the first of many tests of Jonathan s friendship for David. Jonathan warned David and told him to hide (19:2, 3). Jonathan resolved to defend his friend to his father. In so doing, Jonathan would be 3

4 taking his life into his hands; not even the king s son was exempt from the wrath of the king. 24 A true friend, however, will never let the name of his friend be maligned without coming to his defense no matter what the personal cost. The next morning, as Saul and Jonathan walked together, Jonathan made this passionate plea: Do not let the king sin against his servant David, since he has not sinned against you, and since his deeds have been very beneficial to you. 25 For he took his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel; you saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, by putting David to death without a cause? 26 (19:4, 5). It was a poignant moment: Jonathan was pleading with tears in his eyes; the proud king was temporarily moved to rationality. And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul vowed, As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death (19:6). Delighted, Jonathan brought David back to the palace (19:7). We have an expression: A friend in need is a friend in deed. When I was a youngster, that proverb puzzled me. To me, the words a friend in need meant a friend who has a need. I could not understand why a needy friend was a friend indeed. It finally dawned on me that the phrase a friend in need referred not to my friend s need, but to my need. A friend who will stay my friend even though things are going badly for me, when I have nothing to offer, is a friend indeed. That is the kind of friend all of us need, the kind of friend all of us need to be, and the kind of friend Jonathan was. David needed someone to stand up for him and Jonathan did. THE OPENNESS OF FRIENDSHIP (1 SAMUEL 19:8 20:42) After David returned to the palace, it was not long until Saul broke his vow not to try to kill David, 27 and tried to kill David with a spear (as he had done twice before). As David looked at the quivering weapon stuck in the wall, he got the point (pun intended). He fled into the night. He first went to his own home, 28 then to Samuel, who had anointed him as king several years before. Surely no one would dare lift a hand against the old prophet. Saul, however, sent assassins after him three groups of them and at last came himself. God intervened by sending His spirit upon the messengers and Saul. As David again fled, Saul was sprawled on the floor, mumbling incoherent phrases. 29 While Saul was temporarily incapacitated, David returned to Gibeah to see his friend Jonathan. Perhaps Jonathan could again serve as a mediator between himself and Saul. David opened his heart to Jonathan. What is my sin before your father, David cried, that he is seeking my life? (1 Samuel 20:1). Jonathan could not believe Saul was again trying to kill David (20:2). His father had solemnly vowed, As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death (19:6). David insisted it was true: Truly as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is hardly a step between me and death (20:3). David had a plan in mind. The primary purpose of the plan seems to have been to convince Jonathan that he did not just have a persecution complex. His relationship with Jonathan was uppermost on his mind (20:8). 30 He said to his friend, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king (20:5). A special rest-day once a month had been prescribed by the Law. 31 Apparently, Saul used these occasions to hold cabinet meetings with the leading men in his government: Jonathan, Abner, and David. 32 David continued: If your father misses me at all, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family. 33 If he says, It is good, your servant shall be safe; but if he is very angry, 34 know that he has decided on evil (20:6, 7). Jonathan was deeply moved and made this pledge to David:... The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you? If it please my father to do you harm, may the Lord do so to Jonathan and more also, if I do not make it known to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you.... (20:12, 13). 35 If Saul threw all the resources of the kingdom 4

5 into killing David, only the Lord could save him. Jonathan in turn opened his heart to David and revealed both the faith and the fear lurking there. Confident that the Lord would be with David and that David would become the next king, Jonathan asked: You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! 41 Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse 42 to your own shame and to the shame of your mother s nakedness? 43 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die (20:30b, 31). And if I am still alive [when you become king], 36 will you not show me the lovingkindness of the Lord, that I may not die? 37 And you shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth (20:14, 15). As far as the record goes, this is the only request Jonathan ever made of David. David agreed, 38 and the two friends renewed their commitment to each other (20:16, 17). One detail remained for David to work out. How could Jonathan get word to him regarding Saul s intentions, when the king s spies were everywhere? Jonathan had a suggestion: Three days from then, David was to hide in the field near a well-known landmark. Jonathan would come to the spot for target practice. The way he shot his arrows, plus the instructions he gave his servant, would indicate whether the news was good or bad. As he and David parted, Jonathan said, Behold, the Lord is between you and me forever (20:23). The next day, Saul, Jonathan, and Abner sat down at the king s table, but David s place was Saul s implication was that David was guilty of treason and worthy of death. Standing up to a king with fire in his eyes and murder in his heart was not the smartest thing he could do, but Jonathan could not let his friend be maligned. Jonathan asked, Why should he be put to death? What has he done? (20:32). Saul lost all control. He had tried three times to kill David with a spear. Now he hurled his spear at his own son (20:33)! Jonathan sat for a moment, trembling with anger, then stood and hurried from the room (20:34). He did not want his father to have another opportunity to kill him. He was also probably afraid of what he might do to his father. Jonathan was overwhelmed with despair. 44 All doubt had been removed from his mind. It was as David said; his father was determined to kill his friend. The next morning, Jonathan went with a heavy heart to keep his appointment with David. So all would appear normal, he brought a servant boy to carry his weapons and to retrieve his arrows. When he reached the spot, he shot several arrows, then sent the lad to fetch them. He called out to the boy, Is not the arrow beyond you? (20:37). Choose your friends carefully; they can help to determine where you will spend eternity. That was the prearranged signal that empty (20:25). The first day Saul thought David meant Saul had made up his mind that David was perhaps ceremonially unclean 39 (it took a must die and that David had no choice but to flee. day to cleanse oneself from ceremonial uncleanness 40 ). When, however, David was absent the again, his eyes searched the area for any sign of As Jonathan pulled back the bow again and second day, Saul was suspicious. If anyone knew Saul s spies. 45 At last satisfied that no one else where David was, it would be Jonathan. So Saul was around, Jonathan told the servant that he said to Jonathan his son, Why has the son of had had enough practice and sent him back to Jesse not come to the meal, either yesterday or the city (20:40). today? (20:27). As soon as the servant was out of sight, David Jonathan told Saul what David told him to rose from his hiding place, 46 his face a mask of say, adding a few embellishments (20:28, 29). sorrow. Both he and Jonathan knew the implication of the message, without its being spoken. He Saul flew into a rage. His anger burned against Jonathan (20:30a). He screamed at his could not stay, and Jonathan could not leave. son: Jonathan s father was wrong, but he was still his 5

6 father, and loyalty demanded that he stay by his side. It was a heartbreaking scene as the two friends greeted, 47 then broke into the tears. Verse 41 says, They... wept together, but David more. Someone has said a friend is a person with whom you dare be yourself. 48 In chapter 20, we have seen David pour out his heart to Jonathan. We have seen Jonathan honestly reveal his fears and ask for David s pledge. Now we see them weeping together grown men, strong men, veterans of many military encounters, shedding tears. ( Real men do cry.) Openness is one of the beautiful things about real friendship. You can be honest and open with a real friend, and he will still accept you. A real friend is aware of your flaws and loves you anyway. At last the time came for David and Jonathan to part. And Jonathan said to David, Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever. Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city (20:42). Jonathan returned to the city, his heart heavy with unresolved relationship problems. David, fearful for his life, 49 turned his face to the wilderness. THE STEADFASTNESS OF FRIENDSHIP (1 SAMUEL 21:1 23:16) David fled first to Nob, where the tabernacle was located. He continued his flight to Gath, a Philistine city. The Philistines discovered his identity and he escaped to the cave of Adullam in western Judah. Here he became the leader of a band of malcontents. Wherever he went, Saul pursued him relentlessly. 50 At last David and his men were forced to hide in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh, the inhospitable region of the mountains of Judah (23:15). Here we have the last meeting of David and his friend. 51 And Jonathan, Saul s son, arose and went to David at Horesh (23:16a). Think about this. Saul was searching everywhere for David and could not find him. Jonathan, however, got up one morning and said to himself, I can t stand it. I have to see David. So he packed a few things in his overnight bag and went to David at Horesh. That says to me that Jonathan had his own spy system, and he kept abreast of what was happening to David. He knew where David was, and he went to him. Friendship is like that. You may be separated from your friend by miles, but he remains in your thoughts and affections. You exchange cards, letters, or phone calls. You keep up with him; you know what is happening in his life. You rejoice when he rejoices; you weep when he weeps (Romans 12:15). Then, when you cannot stand being parted any longer, you find a way to see him, even if it is only for a little while. We cannot overemphasize the danger Jonathan faced in making this trip. Saul had demonstrated that he would not hesitate to kill any who befriended David; 52 he had even demonstrated that he would not hesitate to kill his own son. Jonathan laid his life on the line to see David. That is what being a friend is all about. Jesus said, Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF FRIENDSHIP (1 SAMUEL 23:16 18) Why did Jonathan go to David? To enjoy his company, I am sure but there was more to it than that. Friends feel with friends, and Jonathan knew how discouraged David must be as he lived day after day in constant fear of being captured and killed by Saul. He went to David to encourage him. And Jonathan, Saul s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God (23:16). In the original language, encouraged him literally means strengthened his hands, 53 a Hebrew idiom meaning, to sustain, strengthen, encourage. Jonathan encouraged [David] in God. (Emphasis mine.) He strengthened David regarding God s plans and arrangements. He shared with David his conviction that God would cause him to triumph, and that his father s efforts were doomed to failure: Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father shall not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you 54 ; and Saul my father knows that also 55 (23:17). Friends like that are so special! Don t you enjoy being around people who are optimistic, uplifting, encouraging? 56 Friends build up one another. If I am disheartened today, my friend 6

7 lifts me up. Tomorrow my friend may be discouraged and I will cheer him up. Helping each other is what friendship is all about. Of course, most of all, we need friends like Jonathan, who will strengthen our hands in the Lord who will encourage us to be faithful to the Lord. Some friends make it easier to serve the Lord 57 and some friends make it harder. 58 Bad company corrupts good morals, Paul warned (1 Corinthians 15:33). Choose your friends carefully; they can help to determine where you will spend eternity. This time, the sadness and tears of farewell are left to our imagination. Jonathan and David renewed their covenant; then David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house (1 Samuel 23:18). They parted, never to see each other again. THE PAIN OF FRIENDSHIP (2 SAMUEL 1) When you open yourself to another, you make yourself vulnerable. When you put your heart on the line, it can get crushed. The only alternative, however, is to lock your heart away in an airless, dusty place where it will suffocate and die. Your heart may not know pain, but neither will it know happiness. Commit your life to another; it is the only way to live. We have seen the tears of David and Jonathan; we have seen their agonizing farewells. As we come to the final chapter of the bittersweet friendship of Jonathan and David, it is a scene filled with pain. David and his band of men were still recovering from an encounter with the Amalekites when they received word of a disastrous battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Fearful, David asked the one who brought the news, How did things go? (1:4a). The words of the young man were a knife in David s heart: Many of the people have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also (1:4b). David did not want to believe it (1:5). However, when the man gave David an eyewitness account, he knew his friend was gone. Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so also did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan and for the people of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword (1:11, 12). David wrote a beautiful memorial song found in 1: The lament mentions both Saul and Jonathan but David s primary purpose is revealed in the title: The song of the bow (1:18). The bow was Jonathan s trademark, not Saul s. Many monuments to friends have been erected in marble and stone. None, however, can surpass the tender tribute of David to Jonathan. In the song, David celebrated the military prowess of Jonathan and his father (1:22). He commended Jonathan s faithfulness and loyalty to his father (1:23). Above all, however, David sang of his loss: How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. 59 How have the mighty fallen,... (1:25 27). Yes, when you make a close friendship, you open yourself up to pain. Notice, however, that David did not bewail his friendship with Jonathan because his heart was broken. Rather, he celebrated that friendship and stored the precious memory of it in his heart. I say again, it is the only way to live. CONCLUSION This lesson has been a tribute to friendship, but I hope it has been more than that. I pray it has been a challenge to all of us. Several years ago, I heard the story of a preacher who drove to a poor part of town to make a visit. 60 As he came out of the home where he had made the visit, he found a little boy in tattered clothing admiring his new car. This is some car, mister! the boy said. Thinking that some explanation was necessary, the preacher said, I could never afford a car like this, but a friend of mine in the car business gave it to me so I could do the work I have to do. The lad thought about that for a while, then said, I wish I could be a friend like that. The first time I heard that story, I expected the boy s response to be, I wish I had a friend like that. I was moved by the words, I wish I could 7

8 be a friend like that. As I have described true friendship with words like commitment, unselfishness, the ability to meet the tests that come, openness, steadfastness, and encouragement, we may have thought, I wish I had a friend like that. If so, let us shift our thinking to I wish I could be a friend like that. At the first of this lesson, I expressed the hope that it would help all who read it, and would especially help any who think they are friendless. Let me say two things to you: First, if you do not have friends, then find another who needs a friend and be the kind of friend we have talked about. It is still true that a man that hath friends must show himself friendly. 61 Second (and most important), remember that all of us can have a Friend who has all the qualities we have described the One called the friend of tax-gatherers and sinners (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34), the One who calls His followers His friends (Luke 12:4; John 15:15). Is He your friend? Remember that He said, You are My friends, if you do what I command you (John 15:14). Regardless of how many other friends we may or may not have, it is this Friend we must have! VISUAL-AID NOTES A single large board with the word friendship, displayed throughout the lesson would be effective. If a more elaborate approach is desired, make a chart with large letters: THE OF FRIENDSHIP Then make a series of cards to insert in the blank for the main points of the lesson: COMMIT- MENT, UNSELFISHNESS, TEST, OPEN- NESS, STEADFASTNESS, ENCOURAGE- MENT, PAIN. NOTES 1 Other than the Scripture references, the quotations in this first paragraph are from Frank Crane, A Friend Like You (Heartland Samplers, Inc., 1991), devotional calendar. 2 Note Song of Solomon 5:16. 3 A book currently on the market is titled The Friendless American Male. 4 The question arises why Saul did not know who David was if David played the harp for Saul regularly (cf. 1 Samuel 16:23; 17:15). There are many possible explanations. Some time may have passed since David last played for Saul and David s appearance may have changed. (He is later said to have a beard 1 Samuel 21:13; maybe he had already started it.) Since Saul was more-or-less out of his mind much of the time, this may have affected his memory. Probably the best explanation, however, is that given in the body of the lesson: Saul did not ask who David was, but who his father was, preparatory to taking David into the palace. 5 Saul had previously heard who David s father was (1 Samuel 16:18 22). However, as one who has problems remembering names (especially those I do not use every day), I can understand how Saul could have forgotten. 6 This may be the point where Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David now stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight (1 Samuel 16:22). 7 Jonathan means Jehovah has given. 8 1 Samuel 13; Samuel 14: Compare 1 Samuel 18:3 with 1 Samuel 20: Note that David continued to refer to himself as Jonathan s servant (1 Samuel 20:8) Samuel 20:41; 2 Samuel 1:26; etc. 13 See 1 Samuel 20: See 1 Samuel 20:23. Note also that it is called a covenant of the Lord (1 Samuel 20:8; emphasis mine). 15 Note 1 Samuel 13:22 although it is assumed the Israelites would pick up some swords in their subsequent victories over the Philistines. Later David and his men had at least four hundred swords (1 Samuel 25:13) Samuel 20:20ff.; 2 Samuel 1:17, 18, The expression we use today to describe Jonathan s actions is He gave him the shirt off his back. 18 Jonathan gave David possessions; David, who had nothing else to give, gave himself. 19 James Burton Coffman, Commentary on First Samuel (Abilene, Tex.: ACU Press, 1992), Samuel 23:17; etc Samuel 18:5, 16, Samuel 16: Samuel 18: Cf. 1 Samuel 14: Everything David had done reflected favorably on Saul. 26 An unspoken, but understood, argument was in Jonathan s question. If Saul put David to death without a cause, it would create unrest throughout the kingdom. No one would consider himself safe. 27 Some question whether Saul was sincere in making the vow. 28 See the lesson, How To Survive the Bad Times. 29 The text says that Saul too prophesied before Samuel (1 Samuel 19:24). The word prophesied can, however, be used in a negative sense. The same word in the original is used in 1 Samuel 18:10 and is translated as raved in the NASB: he raved in the midst of the house. There is some question exactly what Saul did as he lay naked for twenty-four hours at Naioth. 30 A secondary purpose of the plan was to clarify in his own mind where he stood with Saul. Maybe these attempts on his life were a result of Saul s temporary insanity and did not really represent Saul s rational intentions. Perhaps he could again be reconciled to the king as he had been the 8

9 previous time Saul tried to kill him. (Since Saul expected David to show up for the new-moon feast [1 Samuel 20:26, 27], it seems Saul planned to plead not guilty by reason of temporary insanity. ) 31 Numbers 28: Samuel 20: As we study the life of David, we will see lying and other dishonesty. We are not to assume from this that God approves of lying. The inspired writers were recording what happened, not giving a blanket endorsement of all they told about. 34 The NIV has if he loses his temper. Saul certainly did that! 35 Jonathan said, May the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. (Emphasis mine.) Jonathan was referring to the way Jehovah had been with his father in the early days of his reign before his rejection as king. 36 Unfortunately, Jonathan was not alive when David became king. 37 It was a common practice for newly crowned kings to kill all potential rivals immediately. 38 Jonathan included his house [household] in the request. David remembered his oath to Jonathan at a later date by honoring his son (2 Samuel 9:7) and by sparing him from death (2 Samuel 21:7). 39 Ceremonial uncleanness disqualified Israelites from taking part in a religious festival (Leviticus 7:20, 21). 40 Leviticus 15:16 23; Deuteronomy 23:10, Son of is a Hebrew idiom meaning partaking of the nature of. This expression literally means you perverse rebel. However, it was more insulting than that. It might be compared with a profanity today that literally means son of a female dog, but is one of the greatest insults (see LB paraphrase of this verse). 42 The Septuagint has you have made friends with (see NEB). The NIV has you have sided with. 43 Since his mother s nakedness was exposed when Jonathan was born, this expression may mean, Your mother is ashamed she ever gave birth to you. Or the expression may refer to the fact that a deposed king s wives became the wives of his successor (see 2 Samuel 12:18). 44 First Samuel 20:34 says that Jonathan could not eat. 45 No doubt if Jonathan had seen evidence that anyone was watching, he would have gone back to the city with the servant so David would not be in danger and we would not have had the moving scene that follows. 46 First Samuel 20:41 notes that David bowed three times. This may have been in deference to Jonathan as the king s son (see 1 Samuel 24:8) or may have been out of respect for God ( May the Lord s will be done ) or it may have involved both motives. 47 A kiss on the cheek was the standard greeting in those days, as it still is in many parts of the world today. 48 Frank Crane, A Friend Like You (Heartland Samplers, Inc., 1991), devotional calendar. 49 Note 1 Samuel 23:17; 27:1; etc. A number of passages indicate that David fled because he was fearful for his life. The two given are typical Samuel 23: Since Jonathan took no part in the pursuit of David, we have no mention of him from the end of chapter 20 to this scene in chapter Saul had the priests at Nob killed because they assisted David. 53 See KJV. 54 The phrase I will be next to you is not a request, but a promise. Jonathan promised David he would be satisfied with second place and would continue to support him, no matter what. Unfortunately, Jonathan never had a chance to fulfill that promise. 55 See 1 Samuel 24: The preacher spoke of the strength we derive from others in Ecclesiastes 4: See Acts 10: Note 2 Samuel 13:3. 59 Some, desiring to prove that God approves of homosexuality, have attempted to use this passage to prove that David and Jonathan were homosexual lovers. David, however, refers to the unselfish nature of Jonathan s love, not the sexual nature of that love. 60 I used a version of this story in Badge of Discipleship, Truth for Today (March 1990), 21. Since it fits so perfectly, I decided to use it again. 61 Proverbs 18:24; KJV; see also NKJV. There are textual difficulties with this passage. Many modern translations translate this much differently. I have included it as a true proverb, whether a part of the text or traditional. Friendship A friend thinks of you when all others are thinking of themselves. The friend given you by circumstances over which you have no control was God s own gift. Frederick Robertson A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such a one hath found a treasure. Apocrypha Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief. Joseph Addison A friend comes in when the rest of the world goes out. We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us. Aristotle Copyright, by Truth For Today ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 9