Jonathan Sees the Truth I Samuel 20

I Samuel 21:34 "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."

Jonathan is in a tough spot. He loves his father (Saul) and also loves his friend David. It was customary for David to take his meal with the king but he feared for his life, so they used it for a test. If Saul became angry that David was gone, then Jonathan would know that Saul wanted to kill David.

I Samuel 20:7 "If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace, but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him."

There was no doubt how Saul felt after this test. Saul belittled Jonathan's mother and threw a javelin at him. Jonathan now knew that Saul hated David. They had set up a signal so that David would know it was okay to come out of hiding and to meet with Jonathan. It involved Jonathan shooting arrows a certain way to alert David. They meet there and said their goodbyes but not until Jonathan had a promise from David that he would not wipe his whole family from existence when God defeated his enemies. Jonathan knows that David is chosen to win in the end.

v14-15 "And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD that I die not; But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever; no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth."

Jonathan was true to his father as long as he could be. He still stayed by his side but he was now aware of the truth, that Saul hated God's anointed and was willing to kill him which made him in enmity with the LORD. He sends David away.

v42 "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 be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city."

Friendships like David's and Jonathan's are a great thing. They are also sometimes costly. When something comes into place that rips friendships apart, it is like one cloth being torn into two pieces. I experienced such friendships while in the military. We parted, not knowing if the other would survive. Often, never seeing the other again. It was tempting then to never get close to anyone for fear of the pain of loosing a good friend, a stranger would not cause as much hurt. But friendship is worthy even if there is also great pain to bear. Such was the friendship of David and Jonathan.

Psalm 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

keywords: Bible Study, Bible, Old Testament, Israel, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, David, Milton Southerland