1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20

After escaping from Saul’s multiple attempts to kill him, David confronts Jonathan about his father’s intentions. Whereas he did not trust Saul, he still felt comfortable talking to Jonathan. They had always been great friends, and David knew that Jonathan would continue to try to protect him. However, David feared that although Saul had always told Jonathan in advance about his plans, Saul would begin holding it from Jonathan. Knowing that they were friends, David thought that Saul would not tell Jonathan so as to not upset him. Jonathan assured David that if he heard anything, he would continue to warn him, but David was not so sure that Jonathan would be told anymore.


Jonathan then took it one step further. He agreed to aid David in running away, and he also promised to send word if he feared that Saul was going to send people after him. He then asked God to punish him harshly if he neglected to send ample warning to David. This scene is evidence of their great friendship, and it reemphasizes the importance of having close friends. We need those types of people in our lives that will look out for us and take care of us, but at the same time we should also be willing to take care of them. We cannot just reap the benefits of the friendship. We should also be willing to sacrifice and care for them in their tough times. This is shown through David’s response to Jonathan. David promised to take care of Jonathan and his line of descendants after the kingdom had been transferred to him. Both men knew that Saul’s days were numbered and David would take over. Jonathan wanted assurance that he and his family would not be cast to the side when David came to power. David promised to take care of them if hard times came upon them.

As David escaped, Jonathan promised to send a signal and a message to him so that he would know whether it was safe for him to return or not. Jonathan returned home and after two days, Saul questioned David’s absence. When Jonathan told him the story that he and David had come up with, Saul became angry. The source of Saul’s anger is revealed in this passage as well. Yes, Saul was jealous of David, knowing that David would one day take over the throne, stripping it from him and his family. But in 1 Samuel 20 we see that even more than that, Saul was upset that Jonathan would never have the chance to rule over Israel. While Jonathan was not upset over this reality, for he understood that it was God’s plan, Saul could not deal with the fact that his son and grandchildren would not have the opportunity to rule Israel.

The next day, Jonathan went out and gave the signal to David, warning him not to return. They found time to talk alone, and they were upset that it had come to this. But David and Jonathan knew that for the sake of David’s future reign and for the sake of Jonathan’s family, David had to escape from the presence of Saul. Although they were going to be separated, they knew that their friendship would be strong. They had made a commitment before God to each other to protect one another as well as their future families. Just because we are separated by great distances from friends and family does not mean that those relationships have to die. Yes, it is hard to let go and hard to maintain those relationships at times, but the story of David and Jonathan shows that it can be done. God places in our lives for a reason, and we should be thankful for the godly men and women that He has given us the opportunity to know. So even if you have been separated from those people, pray for them, keep in touch, and thank God for the influence they have had on you.

Matt