I Samuel 20

Jonathan had the peacemaking skills and close relationship with Saul to settle his father down so that he would relent of his evil and jealous intent toward David. However, Saul has been elusive with Jonathan about his true intent to kill David. As Jonathan’s bond with David strengthened, his influence over his father dissipates. This chapter opens with Jonathan encouraging David to hide until he can find out the true intent of his father. Jonathan was hopeful he could convince his father to do the right thing. David was doubtful. Perhaps the two separate occasions when Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear influenced David’s doubt. So as the feast of the new moon approached, Jonathan told David to hide and Jonathan would tell his father that David went home to Bethlehem for the holiday. When Saul asked, “where’s David” Jonathan told him and V30 says “Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan.”

Jonathan makes his choice

Saul knew that Jonathan was siding with David and he vowed to kill David. When Jonathan defended David, Saul grabbed his trusty spear (actually, not so trusty because he kept missing his targets) and threw it at Jonathan. Jonathan escaped and found David and told him of the events. They embraced and wept and renewed their covenant to protect each other and their descendants. From this point until Saul’s death, David was an outcast from the royal court. David is entering a phase in his life of physical and emotional pain and anguish. In such circumstances, one either humbly submits to God, draws close to Him and experiences significant spiritual growth and intimacy with the Father or one rebels against God in anger and resentment. Hopefully, in the chapters ahead, we will learn from David as he goes through these times of darkness. Which path will he chose. Which paths do we choose when trials come? Do we run toward God or away from Him?