37 Jonathan’s Loyalty to David – Part 2

After heading out into the field, David and Jonathan discussed their plan to determine Saul’s intentions concerning David.

1 Ratifying the Covenant

1 Samuel 20:14-17

In verses 14 and 15, Jonathan understood that one day David would become king, and asked that David would provide for his descendants:

1 Samuel 20:14-15

David would indeed fulfill his friend’s request many years later, when he made provision for the only surviving offspring of Jonathan:

2 Samuel 21:7

During their conversation in the field, verses 16 and 17 show how David and Jonathan first ratified the covenant between them, which was done in the presence of the Lord, showing that they were including the Lord in it.

After they ratified the covenant, the two men returned to working out the logistics of their plan. Thus showing they had the proper perspective, in placing spiritual things first.

2 The Details of the Plan

The first part of the plan, would entail Jonathan determining whether his father indeed wanted David’s death, and then of how to get word to David:

1 Samuel 20:18-23

With the upcoming sacrifice of the New Moon, despite the conflict between Saul and David, it would have been expected that David would have sat at the king’s table for the various dinners. After all, David was not only Saul’s son-in-law, but one of his top military commanders.

Therefore, Jonathan would determine if his father was upset or not over David’s absence. If the king didn’t mind David not attending, then they believed it would mean, it would be safe for David to return to his place within Saul’s court. However, if Saul became outraged over David’s absence, then it would mean that the king still intended to kill David, and he must continue to flee from Saul.

But it showed that Jonathan and David had developed a very detailed plan, which should be an example for all believers, as we shouldn’t look at “walking by faith” as meaning we shouldn’t be organized, nor should we plan our lives.

Nor shouldn’t we just wait to see what the Lord will do in our lives:

• Believers should first commit everything to prayer
• Believers should act in faith, as we are led by the Lord
• Believers should remain flexible, being ready to change any of our plans which might be contrary to God’s plans, and certainly, out-of-step with His Word.

3 Saul’s Attitude Revealed

As David hid (most likely in a cave) in the field, Saul, his family and key officials sat down for the first of several nights of festival meals:

1 Samuel 20:24-34

While all those expected were present, David’s seat was empty. While Saul didn’t say anything, he believed David must have done something to cause himself to be ceremonially unclean, which according to the Law, would prevent him from attending such a meal, but only for one day:

Leviticus 22:4-7

However, when Saul saw that David was also absent on the second evening, he asked his son Jonathan why David was not there.

However, even with his question, he referred to David in an unflattering manner, showing his disdain for him.

Jonathan responded as he suggested to David he would, by stating that David had asked permission to attend his family’s feast in Bethlehem instead.

Saul was irate when he heard Jonathan’s response, not only showing his hatred for David, but his intense anger at Jonathan and his mother (Saul’s wife):

1 Samuel 20:30-31

Saul was upset that Jonathan had chosen friendship with David over loyalty to him, and showed that he fully believed it would be David who would succeed him upon the throne, and that Jonathan should have been upset by that fact as well.

However, Jonathan wasn’t persuaded by his father’s words, and as he had done on a previous occasion, asked what David had done to warrant death.

Saul was so incensed, that he flung a spear at Jonathan, as he had done to David on multiple occasions. Jonathan was both angered and obviously emotionally hurt, so he left the family meal without eating, but knowing that the next morning he must implement the second stage of the plan, to advice David that he must continue fleeing from Saul.