36 Jonathan’s Loyalty to David

In First Samuel 20, David continues being on the run from King Saul who had stepped up his attempts to kill him. Here in chapter 20, we see David seek consolation from his friend Jonathan, who was also the king’s eldest son.

The chapter shows the deep friendship and loyalty the two men shared.

Though it had been slow developing, as chapter 20 opens, it seems as if David was finally understanding that Saul was indeed against him. Therefore, he sought to question his friend Jonathan:

1 David Inquires of Jonathan

1 Samuel 20:1-4

David had previously sought counsel and protection from the elderly prophet Samuel. However, David now believed his situation was so urgent, that he risked going to Jonathan to determine if Saul’s son could provide insight into why Saul was so determined to kill him.

It also seems, that David was still willing to allow that Saul had a change of heart, and that he might desire a reconciliation.

We also see the gentle heartedness of David, as he asked Jonathan what he had done that caused the king to treat him in such a manner.

David was truly considering that he might have caused the rift between them.

While David was concerned that Saul would indeed kill him, Jonathan responded that Saul wouldn’t take any action without first telling him.

Jonathan also had a gentle heart, but it seems he was quite naïve, since there had been several times when his father had attempted to have David killed, and when he hadn’t spoken with his son beforehand.

One example is when Saul attempted to use both of his daughters as a trap, whereby they would marry David, and then allow the Philistines to kill him, thus seemingly exonerating Saul.

Saul was aware of the friendship Jonathan shared with David, and that, combined with his intense jealousy, was enough to prevent him from advising Jonathan of his plans.

David voiced as much to Jonathan, which then showed his discouragement over the situation.

Even so, in verse 4, Jonathan pledged his support for David. This is a great example of true friendship, where the parties are unconcerned about personal cost or inconvenience, but are interested in the betterment of their friend:

Proverbs 17:17

2 David’s Plan

David proposed a plan to Jonathan, by which he might be able to determine whether his father indeed had a change of heart:

1 Samuel 20:5-11

The upcoming New Moon feast, would have been an occasion for all of Saul’s family to gather. And since David was still married to Michal, there would have more-than-likely been the expectation that David would have been in attendance.

New Moon sacrifices were held each month:

Numbers 28:11

After the sacrifice, there would be large feasts, as families would gather in celebration. However, David was concerned that Saul would use his attendance as an opportunity to kill him.

David suggested to Jonathan, that he hide for the first three days of the feast, and that Jonathan should determine his father’s current feelings about David.

If Saul inquired about David’s whereabouts, he was to say that David asked permission to attend a similar gathering at his family’s home in Bethlehem.

In verse 8, we see that David had returned to second guessing his own innocence, believing that he might done something to offend the king.

Rather than protesting his innocence, David questioned whether there even some amount of guilt on his part. This shows the true attitude and heart of David.

In verse 9, Jonathan again shows his loyalty was with David, as he stated he would announce to David any evil plans his father had.

In verse 10, David desired to know how Jonathan would relay to him, the results of the conversation between Jonathan and Saul.

This shows the importance that details play in all aspects of our lives. Because the Lord both expertly plans and purposes, Christians should have the same attitude within the church:

1 Corinthians 14:40

In verse 11, David and Jonathan went out into the field, quite possibly to determine both where David would hide, and how Jonathan would get the information to his friend.

3 Jonathan’s Promise

As the two men had conversation, Jonathan showed that he was in complete agreement with David:

1 Samuel 20:12-13

Jonathan began by reaffirming the covenant between David and himself, and he stated that the Lord was witness between them.

The passage shows that Jonathan was indeed in agreement with David, as he no longer said that David wasn’t in any danger, but that he would “sound out his father” showing that it was quite possible that Saul was indeed against David.

He now agreed that he should hear from Saul’s own lips, what his intentions were.

They came to the understanding, that if Saul still showed evil intent, then Jonathan would get word to David that he must stay away from Saul’s court, since his life would indeed be in danger.

The fact that Jonathan evoked the Lord in the conversation, had to be comforting to David, since both men shared a deep relationship with God.

Jonathan understood that he would be accountable before the Lord, for the things he would say to David, and that his words portrayed the bond the two men shared.

Jonathan also showed his own spiritual maturity, as he asked that the Lord be with David, just as He had been with his father Saul.

Even though Saul’s behavior rarely showed it, the Lord had indeed been with him, having come upon him early in his reign. God had desired to use Saul as Israel’s first king, however, Saul continued to reject the Lord’s leading and direction, and was determined to do things in his own way, thus rejecting the Lord.