Category: Jonathan

A Plan to Understand Saul

This entire scene is a bit strange. David and Jonathan meet; they are careful as they should be. David is hiding and I strongly suspect that David is discouraged. He has done nothing wrong—quite the opposite. David suspects that king Saul’s bitterness and jealousy, and bitterness are out of control. Saul intends to murder David. The entire story is found in 1 Samuel 20:5-23.  

“Tomorrow, we celebrate the new moon festival. I’ve always eaten with the king on this occasion, but tomorrow I’ll hide in the field and stay there until the evening of the third day. 6 If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family sacrifice. 7 If he says, ‘Fine!’ you will know all is well. But if he is angry and loses his temper, you will know he is determined to kill me.” 

1 Samuel 20:5-7 

These verses reveal David’s plan. They describe a maneuver that will reveal Saul’s heart toward David: will it be reinstatement or will it be murder? Obviously, David must find out. Will he continue to run and evade death or will he be restored? He obviously must know. 

David has no idea, but he has a plan to find out for sure. 

But let’s switch to Jonathan as he will be David’s eyes and ears into the banquet room. David will rely on the report of Jonathan, one way or the other. The plan is carefully made, and it seems like a wise one. Obviously, it involves Jonathan’s participation.   

“Jonathan’s response to David’s discouragement wasn’t theological rebuke but practical help; he offered concrete assistance to a friend walking through despair, modeling genuine support.” -David Guzik 

Jonathan only asks for a promise from David. (Which David fulfills later to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9). He asks that, “If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die; 15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 

Jonathan reminds David of their covenant together after the slaying of Goliath. There’s now a political element added: David will need to protect the house of Jonathan, his heirs.  

It is Jonathan and not Saul who understands God’s heart. 

It is Jonathan’s humility that makes the whole plan work. There seems to be no guile here; he understands what the Lord wants to do. Many believers want to be a “David,” but it is Jonathan that seems to show more integrity, decency and honor. 

Jonathan proves that he is a man of integrity, and he asks that David be one also. It’s Jonathan that models that deep decency to the heart of David. 

This plan will reveal Saul’s motives; it’s designed to uncover his heart. That’s what the Holy Spirit does. David must know; his life depends on it. Jonathan is key to David’s survival and he must trust him. He depends on him to “pull off” this off. This strategy will determine David’s next step. 

I believe David still praises God.

I believe David still writes and sings. Worship is in his blood, and even if he sits on a knife’s edge, David praises Jehovah even if it seems illogical. 

God has anointed Davd and nothing has changed; when Samuel poured oil on his head it became the evidence of the Lord’s choice, blessing and approval. David’s calling was a done deal. David worships. 

“Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days – when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great – and you turn to God alone.” 

    Rick Warren

The Encourager

“Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” 2 And he said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so.” 3 But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 4 Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”  

1 Samuel 20:1-4, ESV 

David leaves Naioth behind, as he realizes that Saul (and his soldiers) had been temporarily “disabled.” He knew that the threat to assassinate him had for the time being had been stalled, and yet David didn’t stay for the theatrics. He simply knew it was time for an escape. 

And yet David seems mystified, and he reaches out to Jonathan with 3 questions that trouble him. It seems David is loyal, but he simply doesn’t understand the intensions of Saul. In all three questions David asks “what.” He is mystified. 

It takes the humility of Jonathan to attempt to ease David’s fear. 

Jonathan answers in an oblique way. He assures David that he can protect him with what he knows. Jonathan is aware of Saul’s treacherous plans and assures David of the strategies and plans that the enemy is concocting. He will do all that he can. 

It is here that we begin to understand that Saul is drawing near, and that David realizes that certain death has gotten very close. David understands how close he has come to being killed at the hand of Saul. “A step between me and death” is how David sees the plots of Saul. 

Again, Jonathan assures David of his commitment. Although he does not debate the claims of David, he simply assures him of his covenantal dedication. Jonathan encourages a discouraged man, and he speaks hope to the struggling David. 

This is what an encourager does. They bring comfort to the frustrated and weary. They stand in a remarkable place, and although they won’t deny the facts, they give strength to the weary. They declare all that God is to those who are overwhelmed and fearful. 

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”  

Isa. 40:29, NLT 

This comfort usually comes through people—servants of God who do not debate but encourage. They have renounced their own agenda and now live for others. They embolden, spurring others to be faithful to their calling. 

“I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.”  

Charles Spurgeon